Integration of cell sheet sucking and tactile sensing functions to retinal pigment epithelium transplantation tool

This paper reports an improved medical transplantation tool for the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) in an eye. Presented tool (¿ 3 mm of head size) newly acquires functions of sucking and tactile sensing. Two types of suction holes and tactile sensor based on fluid-resistive strain sensor are newly integrated to the tool. Four through-holes on the head assist in introducing a RPE cell sheet into the head. One single suction hole at the neck assists in holding the cell sheet. The fluid-resistive tactile sensor integrated into the head helps a safe operation in the retinal dome space without hurt to anatomy. Presented sensor can detect 300 ¿N as minimum precision.