Department of Applied Visual Science, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita City, Osaka, Japan.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2011 Aug 29;52(9):6785-92. doi: 10.1167/iovs.10-6971.
To investigate the feasibility of implanting a newly developed suprachoroidal-transretinal stimulation (STS) prosthesis in dogs and to determine its biocompatibility and stability over a 3-month period.
The STS prosthesis system consisted of an array of 49 electrodes (nine were active), an intravitreal return electrode, and an extraocular microstimulator. The 49-electrode array was implanted into a scleral pocket of each of three healthy beagle dogs. Color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, electroretinography, and functional testing of the STS system were performed postoperatively. The dogs were euthanatized 3 months after the implantation, and the retinas were evaluated histologically.
All the prostheses were successfully implanted without complications, and no serious complications occurred during the 3-month postoperative period. The fixation of the implant was stable throughout the experimental period. Fluorescein angiography showed that the entire retina, including the area on the electrode array, remained well perfused without intraocular inflammation. Electroretinograms recorded from the eyes with the prosthesis did not differ significantly from those recorded from control eyes. Functional testing of the STS system showed that this system performed well for the 3-month experimental period. Histologic evaluations showed good preservation of the retina over the electrode array.
Implantation of a newly developed STS retinal prosthesis into a scleral pocket of beagle dogs is surgically feasible and can be performed without significant damage to the retina or the animal. The biocompatibility and stability of the system were good for the 3-month observation period.
研究一种新型脉络膜下经视网膜刺激（STS）假体在犬体内植入的可行性，并确定其在 3 个月内的生物相容性和稳定性。
STS 假体系统由 49 个电极阵列（其中 9 个为有效电极）、眼内返回电极和眼外微刺激器组成。将 49 电极阵列植入 3 只健康比格犬的巩膜袋中。术后进行眼底彩色照相、荧光素血管造影、视网膜电图和 STS 系统功能测试。植入后 3 个月处死犬，对视网膜进行组织学评估。
所有假体均成功植入，无并发症，术后 3 个月内无严重并发症。整个实验期间，植入物的固定均稳定。荧光素血管造影显示整个视网膜，包括电极阵列区域，血供良好，无眼内炎症。带有假体的眼睛记录的视网膜电图与对照眼记录的视网膜电图没有显著差异。STS 系统的功能测试表明，该系统在 3 个月的实验期间表现良好。组织学评估显示，在电极阵列上保留了良好的视网膜。
将新型 STS 视网膜假体植入比格犬巩膜袋中在手术上是可行的，且不会对视网膜或动物造成明显损伤。在 3 个月的观察期内，该系统具有良好的生物相容性和稳定性。
