Optimum on-time duty cycle for micropulse technology

Purpose To evaluate the optimum on time for the most efficient removal of lens fragments using micropulsed ultrasound (US). Setting John A. Moran Eye Center Laboratories, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Design Experimental study. Methods Twenty porcine lens nuclei were soaked in formalin for 2 hours and then divided into 2.0 mm cubes. Using an US machine with a 0.9 mm bent and a 30-degree bevel tip, the on time was varied every millisecond (ms) from 2 ms to 10 ms with the off time kept constant at 10 ms. Efficiency (time to lens removal) and chatter (number of lens fragment repulsions from the tip) were determined. Results The most efficient phacoemulsification was achieved with an on time of 6 ms. On times shorter than 6 ms were significantly less efficient ( R 2 = .82, P =.04). Greater on times did not result in a significant difference in efficiency ( R 2 = .03, P =.78) but did appear to have more chatter events when comparing 9 to 10 ms with 2 to 8 ms ( P Conclusions With micropulsed longitudinal US, a 6 ms on time was equally as efficient as longer on times, while shorter on times (2 to 5 ms) had decreased efficiency. At 9 ms and 10 ms on time, significantly more chatter was noted. Therefore, to maximize phacoemulsification, an on-time setting of 6 ms is recommended. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.