Science and Technology of Novel Integrated Biocompatible Superparamagnetic Oxide Nanoparticles Injectable in the Human Eye and External Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD™)-Coated Magnet for a New Retina Reattachment Procedure

Abstract

Retinal detachment is the separation of the sensory retinal tissue from the underlying pigmented epithelium, resulting in partial or total loss of human vision. Worldwide, 1:10,000 people per year suffer retina’s detachment. Current treatments include: 1) repositioning the sensory retina onto the rest of the retinal tissue, sealing the gap via laser heating or external freezing treatment. Current therapies for retina’s reattachment include using a silicone ring or a gas bubble to push the retina back into place. These modalities suffer from drawbacks such as choroidal detachment when using the silicone ring, or postoperative positioning of the patient. These techniques are not optimal for treating retinal detachment in the lower part of the eye. Thus, this chapter describes R&D that demonstrated a revolutionary method for retina reattachment, using a solution containing iron oxide super-paramagnetic nanoparticles (FDA approved) injected in the vitreous space of a rabbit eye and a rare earth magnet implanted on the sclera region outside the eye. Superparamagnetic particles, magnetic only when exposed to a magnetic field, are attracted to the magnet area pushing the retina back into place, then dissolve when the magnet is extracted.The magnet is coated with a biocompatible Ultrananocrystalline Diamond (UNCD) coating.