Method for implanting retinal tack

Abstract

The retinal tack includes a generally conical, sharply pointed forward end portion for piercing through the retina, choroid, and sclera, an elongated, generally cylindrical retaining portion having a longitudinal dimension approximating the thickness of a patient's retina, choroid, and sclera and including one or more peripheral grooves for receiving sclera tissue displaced during insertion of the forward end portion, and an enlarged head having a radially extending flange portion for engaging the retina in the area of the opening formed in the retina. The tack is carried in the tip of a tubular probe selectively connected in fluid communication with sources of negative and positive pressures and the head includes a seat portion which sealingly engages a complementary seat in the probe tip when a negative pressure is applied to the probe. The probe is inserted into the vitreous cavity through an opening in the eyeball and the tack is manually pushed through the retina, choroid, and sclera in the vicinity of the retinal tack until the head engages the retina and the retina is moved against the choroid. After a small positive pressure is introduced into the probe, it is moved away from the tack and withdrawn from the vitreous cavity.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.