Magnetized forceps for intraocular foreign body removal: which one is suitable?
Melih Parlak1, Jens Ulrich Werner2, Armin Wolf1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ulm University Medical School, Ulm, Germany.
Summary
Disposable forceps magnetizability varies significantly, impacting their effectiveness for removing magnetic intraocular foreign bodies. Not all forceps are sufficiently magnetized for this critical ophthalmic surgical technique.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Devices
- Materials Science
Background:
- Magnetic intraocular foreign bodies pose a surgical challenge.
- Magnetized disposable forceps offer a method for their removal.
- Variability in forceps properties necessitates comparative analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the magnetizability of disposable forceps from different manufacturers, sizes, and forms.
- To evaluate the performance of magnetized forceps in a simulated surgical environment.
Main Methods:
- Established procedure for magnetizing disposable forceps.
- Measurement of inducible magnetic flux density at the forceps tip.
- Testing the mass-lifting capability using steel balls in BSS solution.
- Measurement of the weight of metallic components in the forceps.
Main Results:
- Significant variation in induced magnetic flux density (2.4 mT to 7.12 mT) and lifting capacity (0 mg to 87.43 mg) among tested forceps.
- Forceps with higher stainless steel mass generally showed higher magnetic flux density and lifting capacity.
- Some forceps demonstrated insufficient magnetizability for effective foreign body removal.
Conclusions:
- The magnetizability of disposable microforceps is influenced by the mass of steel at the tip.
- The iron lattice structure may also play a crucial role in magnetizability.
- Not all commercially available disposable forceps are adequately magnetized for safe and effective removal of magnetic intraocular foreign bodies.
