Posters

Elemental composition and surface roughness of phacoemulsification tips

Poster Details

First Author: K. Tsaousis UNITED STATES

Co Author(s):    L. Werner   J. Perez   H. Li   N. Reiter   J. Guan   N. Mamalis     

Abstract Details

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to evaluate surface elemental analysis through Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) plus to judge against the surface micro-roughness through white light interferometry (WLI) in seven different types of phaco tips (3 distinct manufacturers).

Setting:

John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States and Utah Nanofab, College of Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Methods:

Seven different models of phacoemulsification tips were evaluated in this investigational study. The phaco tips were examined through Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for elemental composition. Additionally, the roughness of the tip opening was assessed in all tips through 3D white light interferometry (WLI).

Results:

Elemental analysis confirmed significant differences between manufacturers with respect to the surface layers. Through XPS, vanadium was not identified in the outer layers of any tip but in deeper levels. The micro roughness surface analysis showed equivalent results as regards their root mean square (RMS) metric while maximum peak valley distance (PV) values varied.

Conclusions:

Phacoemulsification tips are made mainly of titanium and show evidence of differences among different models, particularly regarding their composition in the external stratums. Their roughness was found to have an acceptable value of RMS of <1 μm in all cases. Small defected areas were found and this fact highlights the importance of sufficient quality control of instrument manufacturing.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE