An insertion sleeve for pars plana infusion ports

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Instrumentation
• Medical Device Engineering

Background:

• Pars plana infusion ports are crucial for sustained drug delivery in ophthalmology.
• Accurate and efficient placement of these ports can be challenging with standard instrumentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a modified technique for preparing 10-gauge tubing or hypodermic needles to facilitate pars plana infusion port placement.
• To offer a practical solution for improving the ease and precision of infusion port insertion.

Main Methods:

• The shaft of 10-gauge tubing or a hypodermic needle was modified.
• The beveled tip and Luer hub were removed from the selected instrument.
• The modified tubing/needle was passed through an inserter sleeve.
• The tubing was subsequently reattached to the Luer hub.

Main Results:

• The described modification streamlines the preparation of instruments for pars plana infusion port insertion.
• This technique allows for easier passage of the instrument through the inserter sleeve.
• The reattachment of the Luer hub ensures a secure connection for subsequent procedures.

Conclusions:

• This modified technique provides a straightforward method to facilitate the placement of pars plana infusion ports.
• The described instrument modification is a valuable adjunct for ophthalmic surgeons performing port placements.
• The procedure offers a potentially more efficient and less cumbersome approach to infusion port insertion.