New instrument for vitreoretinal membrane surgery

F. I. Tolentino, E. F. Baehr and K. Miyamoto

We have designed a new instrument that dissects and cuts complex vitreoretinal membranes. It is a modified hook with a wedge-shaped front end. An anvil-like platform serves as a "chopping block." An oscillating knife, housed in the hollow shaft of the hook, is driven against the anvil to cut the membrane. The instrument is powered by compressed air and controlled by a multifunctional, portable console and universal pedal. We evaluated the system in 125 cases of complicated retinal detachment and found it to be effective, safe, reliable, and durable. The console and pedal can also serve to activate other instruments used in all intraocular microsurgical procedures, including vitrectomy and cataract surgery, and to interface with diathermy, cryosurgery, endolaser, and phacofragmentation machines.