Abstract
Purpose: :
Performance evaluation of seven available vitreous cutters by measuring and comparing the flow rate, duty cycle and mechanical features.
Methods: :
Seven vitreous cutters were tested. For each probe, a total of 26 aspiration tests were performed in high and low viscosity environments. High frame rate camera was used to measure the closing time and to assess the duty cycle of each probe at different settings.The shaft stiffness was calculated for each of the 7 probes by measuring the displacement of the tip under a known constant force applied at the tip and at the working fulcrum. All the probes were then dissected and the internal lumen diameters were measured.
Results: :
Highly significant differences in flow rates and duty cycles were observed between the three different gauge groups (25, 23 and 20 gauge vitreous cutter) and also within each gauge group. Internal lumen diameters and probe stiffness characteristics are presented.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • vitreous