Apparatus for performing surgery inside the human retina using fluidic internal limiting membrane (ILM) separation (FILMS)

Abstract

A method and apparatus for performing surgery inside the human retina using fluidic internal limiting membrane separation (FILMS) to remove the internal limiting retinal layer from the neural retinal layer at the macula. The method comprises inserting a hollow microcannula between the retinal internal limiting membrane and the neural retinal layer at or near the macula and injecting a sterile fluid, such as sodium hyaluronate, through said microcannula and thereby raising the macular internal limiting membrane retinal layer away from the neural retina such that it can then be removed by conventional means, while simultaneously smoothing the neural retina by localized pressure tamponad. The apparatus comprises a hollow microcannula having a proximal end a distal end and a distal tip. The distal end is shaped to conform tangentially to the surface of the retina. The distal tip is sharply beveled and adapted to discharge a fluid substance and to easily insert under the internal limiting membrane retinal layer and achieve occlusion of the lumen upon minimal insertion, and is sufficiently microscopic as to not substantially injure the neural retina when introduced under the ILM.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a hollow microcannula having a distal end, a proximal end, a central longitudinal axis, and a tip, said microcannula being shaped at its distal end consistent with the angle necessary to effectuate separation of the layers of a concave surface.    
     
     
         2 . The hollow microcannula according to  claim 1 , wherein said distal end of said microcannula has a continuous curvature designed to conform tangentially to the surface of the retina near the macula.  
     
     
         3 . A hollow microcannula having a distal tip, wherein said distal tip is beveled and sharpened to allow for penetration and separation of layers of human tissue.  
     
     
         4 . The hollow microcannula according to  claim 3 , wherein said distal tip of said microcannula is adapted to discharge a substance from the distal tip.  
     
     
         5 . The hollow microcannula according to  claim 3 , wherein said distal tip of said microcannula is adapted to discharge a fluid from the distal tip.  
     
     
         6 . A hollow microcannula sufficiently microscopic as to not cause injury when used to perform surgery inside the human eye.  
     
     
         7 . The hollow microcannula according to  claim 6 , wherein said microcannula has an outside diameter of approximately 800 microns at its proximal end and an outside diameter of approximately 100 microns at its distal end, and is thus sufficiently microscopic as to not substantially injure the neural retina when introduced under the internal limiting membrane.  
     
     
         8 . A hollow microcannula to be used in performing surgery inside the human retina using fluidic internal limiting membrane separation.  
     
     
         9 . A hollow microcannula wherein the distal end of said microcannula has a continuous curvature designed to conform tangentially to the surface of the retina near the macula when inserted through an eyeball entrance site at the pars plana.  
     
     
         10 . The hollow microcannula according to  claim 9 , wherein said distal tip of said microcannula is beveled and sharpened to allow optimal penetration of the internal limiting membrane and optical occlusion of the lumen by the overlying internal limiting membrane upon minimal insertion.  
     
     
         11 . The hollow microcannula according to  claim 9 , wherein said distal tip of said microcannula is adapted to discharge a substance to effectuate separation of the retinal internal limiting membrane at or near the macula from the neural retinal layer.