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Three-Dimensional Printing of a Transconjunctival Vitrectomy Trocar-Cannula System
Eduardo V Navajas1, Martin Ten Hove
1Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Purpose:
The aim of this paper was to study the feasibility of manufacturing a customizable trocar-cannula system for vitreoretinal surgery utilizing commercially available three-dimensional (3D) printing technology.
Methods:
A digital model of a trocar-cannula system for vitreoretinal surgery was created using computer-aided design (CAD) software and printed utilizing a laser-sintering 3D printer in modified ABS thermoplastic material. The trocar-cannula prototypes were tested in pig eyes.
Results:
A customizable digital model was created using commercially available CAD software. Three trocar-cannulas were printed. The smallest cannulas that could be printed had dimensions between 21 and 22G. The trocar-cannulas were inserted in pig eyes after performing sclerotomies with a commercially available 20G MVR blade. One cannula broke during insertion.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates the feasibility of printing a transconjunctival vitrectomy trocar-cannula system with commercially available 3D print technology. The 3D printer and build material used resulted in trocar-cannulas with functional limitations including a minimum size achievable and mechanical resistance.
