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FLUIDIC PERFORMANCE OF A DUAL-ACTION VITRECTOMY PROBE COMPARED WITH A SINGLE-ACTION PROBE
David H Steel1, Martin Charles2, Ying Zhu3
1Sunderland Eye Infirmary, Sunderland, United Kingdom and Bioscience Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Purpose:
To assess flow rates, nearfield effects, and traction of a dual-cutting 20,000 cpm vitrectomy probe (HYPERVIT, Alcon) versus a single-cutting 10,000 cpm probe (Advanced ULTRAVIT, Alcon).
Methods:
Flow rates were evaluated for 25+ and 27+ gauge probes using balanced salt solution or porcine cadaver vitreous (biased open, 50/50, and biased closed duty cycles). Probes were suspended in an open beaker, and flow rates were calculated using a precision balance. Nearfield effects and flow pulsatility were assessed using a validated simulation model based on experimental microparticle image velocimetry. Traction was assessed by attaching vitreous to a cantilever beam and measuring the deflection of the beam.
Results:
For HYPERVIT probes, aqueous flow rates were similar across all cutting rates. Vitreous flow rates increased with increasing cutting rates. At maximum cutting rates, aqueous flow was 62%-67% greater (25+) and 63% greater (27+) with HYPERVIT versus Advanced ULTRAVIT ( P < 0.05); vitreous flow was 44%-47% greater (25+) and 26%-32% greater (27+) with HYPERVIT versus Advanced ULTRAVIT ( P < 0.05). Nearfield effects were reduced, and peak traction forces were significantly lower for HYPERVIT versus Advanced ULTRAVIT ( P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Significantly greater aspiration flow, reduced nearfield effects, and reduced traction were observed with dual-action versus single-action probes.
