Motorized teleguided stereotactic micromanipulator for vitreous microsurgery

Abstract

A recently developed motorized stereotactic micromanipulator enhances the precision of the procedure, the comfort of the surgeon, and the safety of the patient during vitreous surgery. It can accommodate almost any type of vitreous surgical instrument by means of special adapters. The system is moved by the action of electrical motors remotely controlled by the surgeon operating a joystick on a separate control unit. Electrical reversal of motion, obtained by flipping a switch, allows observation through an altered version of the Panfundoscope that provides a 160 degrees inverted fundus view during all phases of the operation. In addition to improving many aspects of present vitreous surgical procedures, this stereotactic system may initiate the development of still finer surgical methods that cannot be performed with the free hand.