Retinal vessel model fabricated on a curved surface structure for a simulation of microcannulation

A remarkable number of vitreoretinal surgeries are performed each year despite their difficulty. As a result, a high demand exists for a mock-up simulator of retinal vessels to simulate these surgeries. Thus, we propose an artificial retinal vessel model for simulating microcannulation surgery. Using laser lithography, polydimethylsiloxane molding, and hydraulic transfer techniques, we fabricated microchannels approximately ≃10 μm on a 24-mm-diameter curved surface structure that mimics the human eye. In the fabrication, the channel size and wall thickness were controlled to mimic a touch of retinal vessels, which gives important information for microcannulation. We succeeded in fabrication of the proposed model and liquid circulates within the microchannels of this model without leaking. Furthermore, we demonstrated a simulation of microcannulation and measurement of applied force to the model during the simulation using a force sensor placed at the bottom of the model. The results of such experiments are useful to quantitatively evaluate medical techniques. © 2016, The Author(s).