Visijet - Advanced Waterjet Technology

H y d r o k e r a t o m e ™

The Visijet Hydrokeratome™ uses a continuous beam of ultra-high pressure saline solution that is only 36 microns in diameter to cut a flap across the cornea, as is done in the first stage of a LASIK procedure. The ultra-high pressure results in a very high energy, supersonic waterjet that takes on almost metallic characteristics yet is able to cut much more precisely and accurately than any known metal blade.

Analysis of SEMs of corneal tissue taken from animal and cadaver eyes, indicates that the Visijet Hydrokeratome cuts between the lamellae, rather than across them as a conventional microkeratome does. This interlamellar action of the Hydrokeratome results in cuts of unparalleled smoothness and precision.

In addition, the action of the high-energy waterjet removes virtually all debris and residue from the cut. For the first time perhaps, surgeons may have a tool that is able to cut tissue precisely without deforming it.

Another practical benefit of waterjet technology is that the simplified design is more reliable and serviceable that found in the complex electromechanics of the ultrasonic phacoemulsifiers. This should assist in bringing down the cost per procedure, and result in much less downtime and maintenance.

P u l s a t o m e ™

Cataract Emulsifier

The Visijet Pulsatome™ utilizes a lower pressure, pulsed waterjet for the fragmentation, irrigation, hydrodissection and aspiration of cataracts. The Pulsatome handpiece, introduced through an incision size of 2.9mm, uses short pulses of 20 microliters of BSS under a pressure of 1000 psi to break the nucleus into smaller fragments which can be easily aspirated through the aspiration port on the handpiece.

With the exception of the waterjet as the mechanical fragmentor, the Pulsatome looks and functions much like an ultrasonic phacoemulsifier with an integral irrigation/aspiration capability and headpiece venting. Utilizing the aspiration port to attract and hold the lens adjacent to the waterjet aperture, individually controlled waterjet pulses are delivered to break up the lens.

Because the Pulsatome directly fractures the cataract with each waterjet pulse, it is believed that cataract removal may in fact be more direct, it appears to be somewhat easier to master than the ultrasonic method. Therefore, it is expected that the Pulsatome may have a shorter learning curve.