Alcon Announces Global Launch of New Vitreoretinal Surgical Instruments

Alcon

New Vitreoretinal Surgical Instruments by Alcon Introduced at the 14^th Annual EURETINA Congress Designed for Use During Complex Retinal Procedures

• New ULTRAVIT^® High Speed Vitrectomy Probes offer benefits of enhanced control, optimized flow and surgical versatility^{1 2,3,4}

• 27+^® vitrectomy packs with a full complement of 27-gauge system instrumentation provides exceptional access to small tissue areas of the eye during micro-incision vitrectomy surgery⁵

• New Grieshaber^® instrument, the FINESSE™ Flex Loop, designed for internal limiting membrane (ILM) and epi-retinal membrane (ERM) removal

London – Alcon, the global leader in eye care, introduced the latest products in its surgical vitreoretinal portfolio to global retinal specialists during the 14^th Annual EURETINA congress in London: new ULTRAVIT^® High Speed Vitrectomy Probes, 27+^® vitrectomy packs and instrumentation, and the FINESSE™ Flex Loop. These new technologies are designed to help surgeons deliver a higher level of precision and efficiency during vitreoretinal surgery, and represent Alcon’s long-standing commitment to innovation in ophthalmology and dedication to restoring vision. 

Vitreoretinal surgery is the surgical removal of the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye. The procedure allows ophthalmic surgeons to better access the back of the eye when treating retinal diseases. 

“With the global introduction of these new products, Alcon continues to provide breakthrough technology designed to help surgeons treat retinal diseases in a very safe and efficacious way to help improve and deliver the best treatment outcomes to patients,” said Dina Abulon, Global Medical Affairs, Vitreoretinal Instrumentation, Alcon. “These latest product offerings represent some of the most advanced surgical vitreoretinal instruments available to assist retinal surgeons on the market today.”

ULTRAVIT^® High Speed Vitrectomy Probes

The ULTRAVIT^® High Speed Vitrectomy Probes are one of the most advanced vitrectomy probe technologies on the market today, and are now available in 23-, 25- and 27-gauge. Featuring 27+^®, the ULTRAVIT^® High Speed Vitrectomy Probes provide the benefits of:

• Added stiffness: Both 25+^® and 27+^® probes have a stiffening sleeve that allows for easy access to the macula and periphery without damaging the probe^1,2
• Optimized flow: A proprietary, dual-pneumatic drive allows for efficient flow and precise shearing, even at higher  cut rates^4,6
• Surgical versatility: Dual-pneumatic drive technology enables surgeons to perform a wide range of maneuvers to address multiple pathologies⁴

The ULTRAVIT^® High Speed Vitrectomy Probes maximize flow efficiency at any cut rate, and provide faster cutting and smaller vitreous bites without fluidic compromise. They are also designed to enhance flow while maintaining efficient vitreous aspiration.³

27+^® Vitrectomy Packs and Instrumentation

The new 27+^® portfolio of fine gauge instrumentation includes a wide range of instruments designed to provide surgeons with the tools needed for success during complex, micro-incision vitrectomy procedures, and are the latest innovation designed for use with the CONSTELLATION^® Vision System. The instruments offer surgeons exceptional access to the small tissue areas of the eye, while also providing a probe stiffness experience similar to 25+^® to allow for better control during procedures.^1,2,5 In addition, high speed cut rates with 27+^® may reduce traction that can cause iatrogenic tears and post-op complications.

FINESSE™ Flex Loop

The FINESSE^TM Flex Loop is the newest member of the Grieshaber^® instrumentation portfolio, designed for epi-retinal membrane (ERM) and internal limiting membrane (ILM) removal during retinal surgery. The FINESSE™ Flex Loop has a proprietary Nitinol Loop, designed to optimize consistency when creating an edge on the ILM and ERM. Its retractable tip allows for an adjustable stiffness profile, and it’s available in 23, 25 and 27 gauge. The thin loop design allows for excellent visibility to the contact area, and the concave shape tines help to impede unnecessary penetration within areas of the eye during procedures.⁷

References

1. Avery R. Single surgeon experience with an enhanced 25+ vitrectomy probe/entry system. ASRS Poster, 2009.
2. Alcon data on file: DHF 430 Verification Report 2,080.8 Revision 02.
3. Abulon DJ, et al. Porcine vitreous flow behavior during high-speed vitrectomy up to 7500 cuts per minute. ARVO Poster Presentation, 2012.
4. Novack, Zhou J, Abulon D, Buboltz D. Relationship of duty cycle vs. cut rates for the commercially available vitrectomy systems. ASRS Poster Presentation, 2010.
5. Dugel PU, Abulon DJ, Dimalanta R. Tissue attraction laboratory comparison of 7500 CPM Dual-Pneumatic Vitrectomy Probes. Poster Presentation, 2014.
6. Riemann C, et al. Vitreous cutter velocities: dual pneumatic drive vs. single pneumatic drive with spring return probes. ASCRS Poster Presentation, 2011.
7. Alcon/Grieshaber data on file, 2013.