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Development of surgical techniques for implantation of a wireless intraocular epiretinal retina implant in Göttingen minipigs

  • Retinal Disorders
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Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to develop surgical methods for the implantation of a wireless intraocular epiretinal retina implant (EPI RET3) in Göttingen minipigs. This animal model resembles closely the anatomical conditions in humans, and is thus suitable for investigating the EPI RET3 implant as designed for the application in humans.

Methods

Phacoemulsification and vitrectomy was performed on the right eye of 16 Göttingen minipigs under general anesthesia. The implants, consisting of a receiver module and an electrode array connected via a flexible micro cable, were inserted through a corneoscleral incision. The receiver module was placed into the sulcus ciliaris and the electrode array was fixed onto the retina temporal to the optic disc with a retinal tack. Minipigs were monitored for intra- and postoperative ocular complications. Follow-up times were 3 (seven minipigs) and 12 weeks (nine minipigs).

Results

Implantation was successfully performed in all 16 minipigs. The complete implantation surgery required on average 2 hours. Intraoperative findings were a minor hemorrhage of the anterior chamber angle in two eyes, one minor iris hemorrhage, and one minor punctiform retinal hemorrhage, which were all reversible. Postoperatively, the corneoscleral incision showed good wound healing in all eyes. Intraocular reactions included mainly fibrin exudation (six eyes) and formation of iris synechiae with the receiver module of the implants (three eyes).

Conclusions

The performed implantation procedures of the intraocular EPI RET3 implant are feasible and reproducible within an acceptable surgical time. The development of inflammatory responses is a specific predisposition of the minipig following any intraocular intervention; nevertheless, the surgical techniques should be further improved to minimize procedure-related reactions. Our results provide a step towards the application of the EPI RET3 system in clinical studies.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all co-workers of the EPI RET work group. This study was supported by grants from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (01KP0402, 01KP0403). Shirley Heinen is acknowledged for linguistic improvement of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstr. 55, 45147, Essen, Germany

    Thomas Laube, Claudia Brockmann & Norbert Bornfeld

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Gernot Roessler & Peter Walter

  3. Central Animal Laboratory, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany

    Christine Krueger

  4. Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems, Duisburg, Germany

    Michael Goertz

  5. Department of Physics, NeuroPhysics Group, Philipps University, Marburg, Germany

    Susanne Klauke

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  1. Thomas Laube
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  2. Claudia Brockmann
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  3. Gernot Roessler
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  4. Peter Walter
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Correspondence to Thomas Laube.

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The authors have full control of all primary data, and they agree to allow Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology to review their data upon request.

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Laube, T., Brockmann, C., Roessler, G. et al. Development of surgical techniques for implantation of a wireless intraocular epiretinal retina implant in Göttingen minipigs. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 250, 51–59 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-011-1756-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-011-1756-z

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