Performance Analysis Of Pneumatic Stellaris Pc Ultra-high Cut Speed System

Abstract

 

Purpose:

 

To evaluate flow rates for different sizes of ultra-high-speed pneumatic vitreous cutters operated with the Stellaris PC system.

 

Methods:

 

Porcine vitreous was obtained within 12 hours of sacrifice at a local slaughterhouse. A precision balance measured the mass of water and vitreous removed from a vial within 15 seconds by 20-ga, 23-ga and 25-gauge (n = three of each gauge) pneumatic Stellaris PC cutters (Bausch & Lomb, St. Louis, MO) at 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 cuts per minute (CPM). Cutters were tested with an aspiration levels of 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 mmHg. Frame-by-frame analysis of high-speed video was used to determine the duty cycle.

 

Results:

 

Larger gauge cutters and higher aspiration levels produced greater vitreous and water flow rates. As the cut rate increased, the vitreous flow rate increased slightly (maximum flow at 3000 CPM) and the water flow rate decreased. The duty cycle of the new generation cutters decreased as we increased the cut speeds using all three gauges (P < 0,001). Vitreous flow rates were averaged ten times less than water flow rates at using the same cutter at the same settings.

 

Conclusions:

 

Vitreous and water flow rates were consistent across the range of CPM tested. With the Stellaris system aspiration levels have the most impact on flow rates of both vitreous and water.  

 

 

Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • vitreous • retina