Alcon Laboratories, Inc. (Fort Worth, TX), recently introduced MicroSmooth Irrigation Sleeves, which are designed to increase surgical control in cataract removal procedures. Alcon comments that the product features a silky smooth external surface and rounded edges, resulting in less friction in the incision; the coefficient of friction is reduced by 26.7%.

Benefits of the sleeves include easier wound entry, more freedom of movement, less mechanical movement of the eye, and reduced stress on ocular tissue. MicroSmooth Irrigation Sleeves are available in both standard and high-infusion models.

Price: N/A
Company: Alcon Laboratories, Inc.
Phone: (800) 862-5266
Web: www.alconlabs.com
Key Features
• Enhanced freedom of movement
• Easier wound entry
• Less mechanical movement of the eye
• Reduced stress on ocular tissue

New Amadeus Rings and Software
Advanced Medical Optics, Inc. (AMO, Santa Ana, CA), recently introduced new 2.0-version software to be used in conjunction with three new 9.0-version rings for its Amadeus microkeratome. The 2.0 software is mandatory for use with the new set of rings, which consists of a Standard Ring, a Narrow Ring, and an Asian Ring. With 100% suction capacity and larger ablation areas that do not create limbal bleeding, the Standard Ring offers flexibility for smaller ocular anatomy. The Narrow Ring assures a proper fit into small eye openings and has 6% less suction capacity than the Standard Ring, and the Asian Ring assures a proper fit for Asian ocular anatomy by offering a modified undersurface at the scleral contact area. AMO states that the new software gives surgeons a host of user-friendly options, including enhanced ease of use due to its handpiece tappet and exchange option on rings or blade holders.

Price: N/A
Company: AMO
Phone: (800) 366-6554
Web: www.amo-inc.com
Key Features
• Allows surgeon to customize each treatment plan
• User-friendly handpiece options and blade holder/suction ring easy exchange
• Suction levels for reverse pass can be reduced automatically to further minimize epithelial defects
• Audible suction tones to tell surgeon and staff of suction status and procedure status

ASICO Royale Unihand Injector AE-9045
After receiving FDA approval, ASICO (Westmont, IL) recently introduced the Royale Unihand Injector—a single-handed IOL delivery system. This injector will accept the A, B, and C Monarch cartridges (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, TX) for the AcrySof Single-Piece IOL (Alcon Laboratories) and has been designed with a small tip similar to Alcon's Monarch II handpiece. The device was specifically designed in a plunger style, in place of a screw mechanism, for simple, stable, and speedy single-hand injection. ASICO comments that the plunger smoothly injects the lens into the eye and that the injector is titanium, lightweight, and easy to maintain. The tip of the injector is gold in color for better visibility through the cartridge and in the eye.

Price: N/A
Company: ASICO
Phone: (630) 986-8032
Web: www.asico.com
Key Features
• Plunger mechanism is more time-efficient than screw mechanism
• Single-hand implantation leaves surgeon's other hand free for controlling eye
• Designed for AcrySof Single-Piece IOLs
• All-titanium injector withstands repeated use and sterilization

Centurion SES EpiEdge
Last month, CIBA Vision Corporation's (Atlanta, GA) Centurion SES EpiEdge epikeratome received FDA approval and is now available for sale in the US. The EpiEdge is used as part of the Epi-LASIK procedure and is compatible with the Centurion SES system, which will now be sold with two separate handpieces and blades—one for use in traditional LASIK procedures and one for use in Epi-LASIK procedures. The EpiEdge device performs a mechanical, instead of alcohol-assisted, separation of the epithelium by substituting a disposable, oscillating, PMMA block for the usual blade of a microkeratome. According to CIBA Vision, the separation takes place under the basement membrane, thus preserving its integrity. In addition, histological studies have shown that the epithelial basement membrane remains intact, the company states.

Price: N/A
Company: CIBA Vision
Phone: (678) 415-3711
Web: www.cibavision.com
Key Features
• Allows for a “no-cut” epithelial separation
• Mechanical instead of alcohol-assisted separation of the epithelium
• Preserves integrity of basement membrane
• May reduce flap complications as compared with traditional LASIK