Clinical Observations of the Single-Use Irrigation/Aspiration Tip

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Clinical Observations of the Single-Use
Irrigation/Aspiration Tip

• Preeya K. Gupta, MD
• Terry Kim, MD
• Duke Eye Center
• Durham, NC

Financial Disclosures TKconsultant for Alcon
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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

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Intrepid Polymer I/A tip

• Specially designed for MICP (microincisional
  coaxial phacoemulsification), 1.82.4 mm
  incisions
• Soft, smooth polymer tip
• Disposable, single-use tip

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Intrepid Polymer I/A 3 Tip Types

• Straight Tip 35 Bent Tip 20 Curved Tip

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Metal I/A 3 Types of Tips

• Straight Tip 45 Tip 90 Tip

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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
  1.82.4 mm corneal incisions and is
  capsule-friendly

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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

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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 45 90
Straight 35 Bent Tip 20 Curved
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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)

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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.