BACKGROUND

1
OCULAR INFUSION ALARM DEVICE
BACKGROUND
During intraocular surgeries vitrectomy and
phacoemulsification (Figure 1) in which there is
an unusual communication between the intra and
extra ocular spaces it is mandatory to use a
continuous saline infusion into the eye in order
to maintain a reasonable intraocular pressure
(Figure 1). The introduction of various surgical
instruments inside the eye is easy and safe when
the globe is firm rather than soft. Further more
continuous infusion is important to prevent
sudden intraoperative hypotony and subsequent
complications e.g., suprachoroidal hemorrhage,
choroidal detachment and choroidal effusion. It
is not unusual for the infusion fluid to be
depleted without being noticed by the surgeon or
the assisting nurse. This may lead to disturbance
of the operative procedure, irksomeness to
surgeons and unavoidable complications.
Figure 1 Vitrectomy operation
AIM OF THE STUDY
We are aiming to create a low cost, easy to use
and compact alarm device which can be clipped to
the infusion bottle and will produce an audible
alarm once the fluid reaches a near empty
status.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
The structure of the device composes mainly of a
very sensitive sensor connected to an oscillator.
It will indicate the amount of fluid left in the
infusion bottle and will activate an audible
alarm once the fluid reaches a near empty status.
The device has been tested in the lab and
demonstrated high accuracy. However calibrations
were needed when the type of the infusion bottle
is changed. Further testing of the device in the
real situation in the wards and operating
theater will be commenced soon.
RESULTS
This low cost new device has shown high
accuracy in detecting the amount of fluid in the
infusion bottle. This will Minimize the risk of
sudden intra-operative ocular hypotony leading to
complications secondary to depletion of the
infusion fluid. Handling of the device by medical
personnel is safe and simple. There is great
potential for this device to be introduced in
various medical procedures when infusion of fluid
is required. It is possible to connect the device
to a central monitoring board at the nursing
counter this will allow simultaneous monitoring
of many patients on intravenous infusion.
Dr. Adnan O. JwdaM.B.Ch.B, M.Med Ophth.
(Spore), adnanoj_at_yahoo.comM.S. Ophth.
(Malaya), FRCS Ophth. (Edinburgh) Head,
Department of OphthalmologyMedical
FacultyInternational Islamic University
MalaysiaP.O Box 141, 25710 Kuantan, Pahang,
Malaysiaadnanoj_at_yahoo.com