Phacoemulsification System
Phaco machine · Phaco unit · Phacoemulsifier · Phaco console · Irrigation/aspiration unit · Alcon Centurion · Alcon Infiniti · Bausch + Lomb Stellaris
A rolling console with a touch screen, a slot for the disposable fluidics cassette and tubing pack, plugs for the handpieces, a small instrument tray, and a foot pedal the surgeon works. The BSS irrigationeer-ih-GAY-shunWashing out a wound, body cavity, tube or eye with a steady flow of liquid.Full entry bag hangs on or in the unit.
On the table
What it does, the lengths it comes in and what experienced techs know about it.
What it’s for
Runs cataractKAT-uh-raktClouding of the lens of the eye.Full entry removal by phacoemulsification. It sends ultrasound energy to the phaco handpiece to break up and emulsify the lens, and runs the irrigationeer-ih-GAY-shunWashing out a wound, body cavity, tube or eye with a steady flow of liquid.Full entry (BSS in) and aspirationas-puh-RAY-shunBreathing food, liquid, saliva or stomach contents into the airway and lungs; also, drawing fluid out with suction or a needle.Full entry (suction out) that keep the eye formed. After the nucleus is out, the surgeon switches to the irrigation/aspiration (I/A) handpiece to remove the remaining cortexKOR-teksThe outer layer of an organ, especially the folded gray outer layer of the brain.cortic/o cortex, outer layerFull entry and later the viscoelastic. Depending on the model, the same console also runs anterior vitrectomy, bipolarby-POH-lerHaving two poles or two opposite ends; most often used as a short form of bipolar disorder.bi- twopolar having polesFull entry coagulationkoh-ag-yuh-LAY-shunThe process by which blood changes from a liquid into a gel, forming a clot.coagul clot-ation processFull entry and a powered IOL injector. Used from the first entry into the eye to the end of the case.
Lengths and variants
Several makers and models (for example Alcon Centurion and Infiniti, Bausch + Lomb Stellaris). Some use other ways to break up the lens, such as Alcon's AquaLase (warm pulses of BSS) and NeoSonix (ultrasound plus sonic motion). Each brand has its own tubing pack and handpieces.
What experienced techs know
What techs who reach for it every day know about it.Pro
Through the case
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- Before the case
Inspection and testing
What to check before it reaches the field.Pro
- During the case
Caution
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4 sources
- Rothrock. Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery. 17th ed. Chapter 18 (Ophthalmic Surgery), p. 591-592
- Goldman. Pocket Guide to the Operating Room. 3rd ed. Chapter 28 (Ophthalmic Surgery), p. 908-912
- Fuller. Surgical Technology, Principles and Practice. 8th ed. Chapter 25 (Ophthalmic Surgery), p. 642
- myalcon.com
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