MARKET PLACE
An eye for optics
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Figure 1: Retrobulbars for injecting anaesthetic into the muscle cone, inset shows the tip.
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Designer and manufacturer of single use products for ophthalmic surgery, Sterimedix Ltd (Redditch, UK) knows how critical it is for its instrumentation to be perfect. Its range of 250 instruments includes retrobulbars for injecting anaesthetic into the muscle cone (Figure 1), and irrigating/aspirating hand pieces for removing cortical debris or viscoelastic substances, while maintaining the anterior chamber, during cataract procedures. The company performs 100% inspection of its components. Burrs are a particular concern because they would cause irreparable damage if fluid and tissue were dragged inadvertently from the eye during a procedure.
Most of its instruments are manufactured using alloys such as stainless steel and silver solder. The manufacturing process includes soldering, pressing, machining and polishing. They feature tubular components with diameters of 0.1 mm and wall thicknesses down to microns. The majority of the manufacturing methods are completed under magnification using stereomicroscopes in a process in which accuracy and precision are vital in the production of this critical instrumentation. The inspection process utilises a Mantis Elite stereo inspection system (Vision Engineering Ltd, Woking, UK) to inspect for burrs and surface marks from machining.
David Bailey, Technical Director of Sterimedix explains, “Historically, we have found we have to inspect 100% of the components coming in, especially if we have limited history with our suppliers. Once we have a recorded history with reliable suppliers we use batch inspection, however this is still a lengthy process, but extremely valuable in providing consistently precise instrumentation.”
He continues, “The design of this system allows our inspectors to maximise the use of their hands when turning and rotating the component. With other magnification systems, we have found we have to spend needless time aligning the binocular head to see the product clearly. However, with this viewing head, our inspectors can see the components in stereo and the clarity is important for inspecting the surface for imperfections where slight marks make the parts unusable.”
System features
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Figure 2: An ergonomically designed viewing head.
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This stereomicroscope offers working distances up to 160 mm with x2 objective and field of view up to 57 mm with a x2 objective. With 24 LEDs it provides operators with bright, white illumination. Available with objectives up to x20, its stereo viewer offers an interchangeable turret that allows operators to inspect at low up to higher magnification (x2 to x20) instantaneously (Figure 2). This means they can inspect a medical device component under relatively low magnification for routine observations, and then switch the turret for inspection to be conducted under higher magnification, if there is an area requiring greater inspection and attention.
The eyepieceless viewer maximises accuracy and productivity because operators do not suffer the fatigue they would with a microscope that utilises a conventional binocular eyepiece. The system employs patented optics where the apparent focal length of the image viewed is exactly the same as the true focal length from the eyes to the subject. This not only allows for easy sample manipulation, but also avoids the need for the eyes to refocus when switching views.
With forward thinking design and investment in tools such as this, Sterimedix believes it has maximised its efficiency and productivity of ophthalmic instrumentation to meet the demands of its distributors and customers.
Information supplied by Vision Engineering Ltd, a designer and manufacturer of eyepieces and expanded pupil microscopes, Monument House, Monument Way West, Woking GU21 5EN, UK, tel. +44 1483 248 300 e-mail: generalinfo@visioneng.com, www.visioneng.com.
