The claw: A novel intraocular foreign body removal forceps

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Instrumentation
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Intraocular foreign body (IOFB) removal from the posterior eye segment presents significant surgical challenges.
• Standard methods like rare earth magnets are insufficient for larger or nonmetallic IOFBs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the design and clinical application of a novel IOFB grasping forceps.
• To evaluate the efficacy of this new instrument in securely removing challenging IOFBs.

Main Methods:

• Design of a novel IOFB forceps featuring a titanium handle, 19-G shaft, and four retractable nitinol prongs.
• Clinical application of the forceps for IOFB removal in case studies.
• Prong extension up to 14 mm, opening to 8-8.5 mm for a secure grip.

Main Results:

• The novel forceps, "the claw," demonstrated a secure grip on IOFBs.
• The instrument's design prevented crushing or splintering of foreign bodies.
• Minimal IOFB slippage and reduced risk of inadvertent retinal trauma were observed.

Conclusions:

• The developed IOFB forceps provide a secure and effective method for removing challenging intraocular foreign bodies.
• This instrument addresses limitations of existing tools for larger metallic and nonmetallic IOFBs.
• The design facilitates safer and more precise IOFB extraction, improving surgical outcomes.