Clinical Observations of the Single-Use

Irrigation/Aspiration Tip

Preeya K. Gupta, MDTerry Kim, MD

Duke Eye CenterDurham, NC

Financial Disclosures: TK—consultant for Alcon

Purpose

• To assess the clinical performance and experience of the newly introduced single-use Intrepid® Polymer irrigation and aspiration (I/A) tip

Methods• Design: Retrospective review of a single surgeon

experience during routine phacoemulsification

• Specially designed for MICP (microincisional coaxial phacoemulsification), 1.8—2.4 mm incisions

• Soft, smooth polymer tip• Disposable, single-use tip

Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip

Intrepid® Polymer I/A: 3 Tip Types

Straight Tip 35° Bent Tip 20° Curved Tip

Metal I/A: 3 Types of Tips

Straight Tip 45° Tip 90° Tip

Metal/Silicone vs Intrepid® Polymer I/A tips

• Metal tips may have sharp edges and tears in silicone tips and/or sleeves can increase the risk for posterior capsule damage/tear

• Metal tips can stretch the wound

• Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip easily fits through 1.8—2.4 mm corneal incisions and is capsule-friendly

Clinical Pearls for Using the Intrepid® Polymer Single-Use I/A tip

- May have to steepen the angle of the handpiece upon insertion/removal to avoid ‘catching’ the wound edge

Transitioning

• Users of the 90° metal I/A tips may find it easier to transition to the 35° Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip

• Users of the 45° and straight metal I/A tip should try either the 20° or 35° Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip

Straight 35° Bent Tip 20° Curved Straight 45° 90°

Results

• The new Intrepid® Polymer I/A tip is specifically designed for MICP and provides superior performance to the metal I/A tips and comparable performance to the silicone I/A tips

• The transition to this tip is seamless with a short learning curve

• The disposable, single-use nature of this new polymer tip has theoretical value in prevention or decrease in post-operative infections and toxic anterior segment syndrome (TASS)

Conclusions

• The Intrepid® Polymer single use I/A tip is a viable alternative to traditional I/A tips and may provide advantages over traditional metal I/A tips and silicone I/A tips.