US Patent 8425473 Subretinal access device

The invention provides surgical devices that provide access to the sub-retinal space using delicate traction to hold the sensory retina to create and maintain a patent sub-retinal space of sufficient size to introduce and perform treatments on the eye. Such treatments may include the introduction of illumination or imaging agents or tools, surgical tools, the infusion of pharmaceutical or biological agents, and the placement of grafts, transplants or implants and the closure of the site through the delivery of a sealant.