Difference in torsional phacoemulsification oscillation between a balanced tip and a mini tip using an ultra-high-speed video camera.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the behavior of 2 types of torsional phaco tips, the newly developed balanced tip and the current mini tip, using an ultra-high-speed video camera.

SETTING: Tsukazaki Hospital, Himeji, Japan.

DESIGN: Experimental study.

METHODS: The HPV-X2 camera was used to capture how the 2 types of tips with torsional oscillation behave in artificial aqueous humor. The following 5 points on the tips were tracked to compare their behaviors: the tip end (point 1) and distances from the tip end of 1325 μm (point 2), 2650 μm (point 3), 3975 μm (point 4), and 5035 μm (point 5).

RESULTS: The mean amplitude time for the balanced tip and the mini tip was 16.29 μsec ± 1.11 (SD) and 15.86 ± 1.21 μsec, respectively (P = .54). The mean amplitude ranges for 2 tips were, respectively, 189.69 ± 4.12 μm and 132.89 ± 7.90 μm (P = .002) at point 1, 20.54 ± 2.12 μm and 23.23 ± 1.68 μm (P = .041) at point 2, 42.54 ± 1.36 μm and 31.00 ± 1.20 μm (P = .002) at point 3, 53.01 ± 8.13 μm and 47.40 ± 10.46 μm (P = .443) at point 4, and 15.15 ± 2.05 μm and 46.40 ± 9.12 μm (P = .002) at point 5.

CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the balanced tip can greatly increase the amplitude range at the tip end and reduce shaft movement compared with the mini tip, resulting in less damage to the wound and surrounding tissue.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: Proprietary or commercial disclosures are listed after the references.