Effect of chamber stabilization software on efficiency and chatter in a porcine lens model.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of the use of programmable chamber stabilization software (Chamber Stabilization Environment) settings on efficiency and chatter in a porcine lens model.

SETTING: John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratory, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.

DESIGN: Experimental study.

METHODS: Porcine eyes were dissected and the lenses extracted. The lenses were then hardened and processed for the experiment. Phacoemulsification of the lens fragments was performed with the Whitestar Signature Pro with the Whitestar handpiece and a 0.9 mm straight Dewey tip with a 30-degree bevel. All arms of the study were run in peristaltic mode with 50 mL/minute aspiration, 100 cm bottle height, and on 100% power. The chamber stabilization software setting was used for each of the 4 study arms with a maximum vacuum of 500 mm Hg. Arm 1 included 20 runs with the up time set to 2000 milliseconds. Arm 2 was performed with similar settings but with an up time of 0 millisecond. Arms 3 and 4 were run with up times of 1000 milliseconds and 500 milliseconds, respectively.

RESULTS: The mean efficiency time of each run was as follows: 0 millisecond = 1.4 seconds, 500 milliseconds = 0.95 seconds, 1000 milliseconds = 0.88 seconds, 2000 milliseconds = 0.93 seconds. When compared with 0 millisecond, each of the other arms were significantly faster. Chatter events were comparable between the study arms.

CONCLUSION: The chamber stabilization software does not decrease efficiency when compared with full vacuum on if at least 500 milliseconds of up time is maintained.