Analysis on key parameters in subretinal injection facilitating a predictable and automated robot-assisted treatment in gene therapy.

BACKGROUND: Subretinal injection (SRI) has become an important surgical method for treating vitreoretinal diseases. Nevertheless, the optimisation of bleb formation in SRI, for the attainment of desired therapeutic outcomes, still requires further investigation.

METHODS: This study analysed the influence of surgical parameters on SRI using a robotic setup. The surgical procedure was automated using visual guidance. A predictive model for bleb formation was established through regression analysis. To validate the model, we compared the clinical data's target area with the simulated SRI's actual area using parameters determined by the predictive model.

RESULTS: The insertion angle dominated the eccentricity and area of the bleb. The injection speed dominated the axial angle. Automated SRI increased success rate and produced predictable outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: We could provide accurate SRI on phantom models by adjusting surgical parameters based on the patient's clinical information. Automatic robot-assisted SRI is a promising surgical technique with highly predictable results.