Method and apparatus for subretinal injection

An apparatus for performing a subretinal injection into a subretinal space between a retina and a retinal pigment epithelium of an eye, the apparatus comprising:

• an injection needle having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end configured to be insertable into the subretinal space at a position on a surface of the retina;
• a multi-lumen tubing having a distal end coupled to the proximal end of the injection needle and a proximal end coupled to a fluid control unit, the multi-lumen tubing having a first lumen and a second lumen;
• a stabilizer configured to immobilize the injection needle at the position on the surface of the retina;
• and
• the fluid control unit having a first fluid reservoir containing a non-treatment solution and a second fluid reservoir containing a treatment solution, wherein the fluid control unit is configured to inject the non-treatment solution from the first fluid reservoir to the subretinal space via the first lumen, and wherein the fluid control unit is configured to inject the treatment solution from the second fluid reservoir into the subretinal space via the second lumen;
• wherein the stabilizer comprises a balloon, wherein the balloon is extended by filling with a liquid, and wherein, in the extended position, the balloon has first and second wings extending substantially along an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the distal end of the multi-lumen tubing;
• wherein the balloon has a flattened profile such that a width of the balloon measured parallel to the surface of the retina is at least two times greater than a height of the balloon measured orthogonal to the surface of the retina;
• and
• wherein the multi-lumen tubing further comprises a third lumen, wherein the stabilizer is coupled to a distal end of the third lumen, and wherein fluid applied through the third lumen is configured to extend the stabilizer beyond the distal end of the third lumen thereby placing the stabilizer on the surface of the retina.