Device for reversibly attaching an implant in an eye

Abstract

The object of providing a device for reversibly attaching an implant to an eye, with which the implant can be attached in a simple way to the eye and can if necessary be detached or removed from the eye, is achieved according to the present invention by means of a device for attaching an implant by means of a pin that comprises a substantially elongated shaft, wherein the implant includes an implant film for contacting living tissue or nerves in the visual system of the eye and the implant film has an opening through which the shaft of the pin can be at least partially inserted, characterised in that the device includes a holding element that can be arranged on the shaft of the pin so that the holding element engages on the shaft of the pin and is fixed in an attachment position to the pin. By means of the device according to the invention the implant is on the one hand reliably attached, but can if necessary be detached from the retina by removing the holding element or retainer, wherein the pin anchored in the eye does not have to be removed at the same time, but can be re-used. Damage or injury to the tissue of the eye that would otherwise be associated with the removal of the pin can thereby also be avoided.

1 . A device for attaching an implant to an eye of a human or a mammal, wherein the implant comprises an implant film for contacting living tissue or nerves in a visual system of the eye, and wherein the implant film comprises an opening, wherein the device comprises:
 a pin that comprises a substantially elongated shaft; and   a holding element that can be arranged on the shaft of the pin, wherein the holding element engages on the shaft of the pin and is fixed in an attachment position on the pin, wherein dimensions of a rear portion of the shaft of the pin are configured such that a rear portion of the shaft of the pin can pass through the opening in the implant film,   wherein, in the attached state when the holding element is attached to the rear portion, the holding element is positioned behind the implant film on the rear portion of the shaft of the pin.   
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element arranged on the rear portion of the shaft of the pin at least partially surrounds the shaft of the pin and co-operates mechanically with the shaft of the pin to fix the implant film placed on the shaft of the pin in an attachment position on the pin. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein a collar is formed in a middle region of the shaft of the pin, the collar having a larger diameter than a diameter of the shaft of the pin. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 3 , wherein a diameter of the shaft of the pin on a first side of the collar pointing towards the tip of the pin is smaller than a diameter of the shaft on a second side of the collar. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shaft of the pin has at least one conical section in a region in which the holding element is arranged in the attached state; and/or 
       wherein the shaft of the pin has at least one under-cut, which limits the region in which the holding element is arranged in the attached state; and/or 
       wherein the shaft of the pin has at least one depression or notch, in which the holding element at least partially engages in the attached state; and/or 
       wherein the pin includes at least one barb at a tip, wherein the tip anchors the pin in the tissue in the attached state. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the dimensions of the holding element are configured such that the holding element in the attached state does not pass through the opening in the implant film, but abuts at least partially on a rear side of the implant film facing away from the tissue. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element is releasable from the shaft of the pin when in the attached state in order to release the attachment of the implant by expanding or opening the holding element. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the attached state, the holding element is positioned immediately behind the implant film on the rear portion of the shaft of the pin. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element has an independent clamping action so that the holding element is independently fixed in its position on the shaft of the pin; and/or
 wherein the holding element is formed as a rubber ring, which, in the attached state, has a larger size than the opening in the implant film; and/or   wherein the holding element is formed as a clamping spring, which is pre-tensioned so that the holding element in the attached state, on account of being pre-tensioned, is fixed on the shaft of the pin by itself.   
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the holding element has conical dimensions that co-operate with a conical section on the shaft of the pin, in order to exert a pressure in the direction of the implant film in the attached state. 
     
     
         11 . A tool for manipulating a device according to  claim 1 , with the aid of which a holding element can be placed on the shaft of a pin in order to attach the implant to the eye of the human or the mammal,
 wherein the tool comprises two hollow bodies one guided within the other, the two hollow bodies including an inner tube and an outer tube, which are movable relative to one another in a direction of their longitudinal axes between a first position and a second position, and which are dimensioned such that they can be slid over the rear portion of the shaft of the pin.   
     
     
         12 . The tool according to  claim 11 , wherein, in a first position, a front side of the inner tube projects at least partly from the outer tube, and, in a second position, the inner tube is substantially retracted into the outer tube; and/or
 wherein, in the second position, the front side of the inner tube is flush with the outer tube, or the inner tube is retracted into the outer tube.   
     
     
         13 . The tool according to  claim 11 , wherein an actuating mechanism is provided on a side of the tool opposite a front side, by means of which the relative movement of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube can be implemented; and/or
 wherein the actuating mechanism comprises two gripping legs that are supported in an articulated way at a common end point and are respectively connected at their free end to the inner tube.   
     
     
         14 . The tool according to  claim 13 , wherein squeezing the gripping legs produces a displacement of the inner tube with respect to the outer tube, so that the front side of the inner tube is retracted into the outer tube; and/or
 wherein the gripping legs are held by a pre-tensioning in an open position, in which the front side of the inner tube projects from the outer tube.   
     
     
         15 . The tool according to  claim 13 , wherein a mechanical stop is provided that limits the movement of the actuating mechanism and/or of the gripping legs;
 wherein the mechanical stop is designed so that the gripping legs can be squeezed until the front side of the inner tube is completely retracted into the outer tube.   
     
     
         16 . The tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner tube in its relative movement with respect to the outer tube is guided on an axis that extends from the inner tube as far as the common end point of the gripping legs.