View abstract

This abstract is assigned to session AOB Poster session2

Title	Robot assisted retinal vein cannulation
Abstract Nr.	2030

Purpose	Topical intravessel drug delivery currently is an experimental therapy for retinal vein occlusions (RVO). Some surgeries were reported to be successful but others suffered from significant complications because of the technical difficulties related to the brittle and small sized veins of the retina. A new tool in the form of robot assistance for intraocular surgery was designed to facilitate this surgical approach. This study aims at performing and reporting on in vivo retinal vein cannulations with the help of a dedicated robot.
Methods	A custom built micro needle with a 30 micron outer diameter tip was connected to the KULeuven robot for intraocular surgery. Domestic pigs were anesthetized and a standard pars plana core vitrectomy was performed. Subsequently, rose Bengal was administered systemically and a clot was induced via direct laser application on the targeted vein. Afterwards the microneedle was inserted via a sclerotomy and the cannulation performed.
Results	Cannulation was successful in 8 out of 10 eyes and visually confirmed by blood wash out while injecting BSS through the needle. A stable intravessel position of the needle tip was achieved for a period ranging between 20 seconds and 3 minutes. The eye remained motionless during the intra-operative manipulations when the remote center of motion of the robot was aligned with the sclerotomy. After needle retraction a self-limiting hemorrhage occurred in all eyes.
Conclusion	Robot assistance renders the required precision and stability to perform a retinal vein cannulation in animal experiments.

Authors 1

Last name	WILLEKENS
Initials	K
Department	UZLeuven
City	Leuven

Authors 2

Last name	Vander Poorten
Initials	E
Department	KULeuven
City	Leuven

Authors 3

Last name	Jonckx
Initials	B
Department	Thrombogenics
City	Leuven

Authors 4

Last name	Janssens
Initials	T
Department	Thrombogenics
City	Leuven

Authors 5

Last name	Gijbels
Initials	A
Department	KULeuven
City	Leuven

Authors 6

Last name	Reynaerts
Initials	D
Department	KULeuven
City	Leuven

Authors 7

Last name	Feyen
Initials	J
Department	Thrombogenics
City	Leuven

Authors 8

Last name	Stalmans
Initials	P
Department	UZLeuven
City	Leuven