Stellaris Elite® Is Optimized for Cutting Efficiency

Dr. K. Alex Dastgheib is in private practice in Garden Grove and Newport Beach, California with more than 20 years’ experience in cataract surgery. He has successfully performed a very large number of surgeries in patients with extremely advanced, visually significant cataracts using phacoemulsification.

Dr. Dastgheib noted that “Stellaris Elite is my favorite and preferred platform” for cataract surgery. The cutting efficiency and followability of the Stellaris Elite vacuum-based phacoemulsification platform set it apart from the competition. Stellaris Elite can be used for all cataract surgery patients, not just the most difficult cases.

Optimized Cutting Efficiency with Stellaris Elite

Stellaris Elite includes Attune^® Energy, which optimizes energy delivery so that only the minimal amount of energy necessary is used. This enables the surgeon to use only the ultrasound energy that is needed, thus minimizing the amount of heat used and therefore minimizing the risk of postoperative corneal edema. However, when a greater amount of energy is required, such as with dense cataracts, more ultrasound energy can be applied and the phaco tip will easily go through the nucleus. Thus, exceptionally efficient cutting can be achieved at a variety of power settings, depending on what is needed for a specific case.¹

Stellaris Elite uses a microincisional cataract surgery (MICS) needle, which has a 0.142 mm stroke length and a 0.79 mm opening area. The MICS needle can be inserted through an incision of less than 2 mm and gets through dense cataracts very well in Dr. Dastgheib’s experience. The small incision size helps to maintain chamber stability. Chamber stability is especially important in cases with a risk of chamber collapse, narrow angle eyes, short eyes, and floppy iris syndrome.

Dr. Dastgheib prefers the longitudinal cutting action of Stellaris Elite over a torsional cutting action. In his experience, he can see the phaco tip in the eye clearly and thus has exceptional control over where the tip is when using the longitudinal motion. Being able to see where the tip is allows him to adapt to any changes inside the eye very quickly. Dr. Dastgheib “feels very comfortable with the cutting action of Stellaris Elite.”

Exceptional Followability with Stellaris Elite

Another key advantage of Stellaris Elite for Dr. Dastgheib is the excellent followability. As the surgeon increases the vacuum, pieces of the cataract move towards the tip due to followability. The surgeon does not need to maneuver the tip in the eye or get close to the capsular bag to reach for cataract segments within the capsular bag. Instead, the piece moves to the needle, creating excellent chamber stability.

During a cataract procedure, he can increase the vacuum and the piece of cataract will move to the tip. “This is a big deal.”

“The followability with Stellaris Elite is excellent and that makes a big difference during cataract surgery. This is especially true with dense cataracts. I don’t want to go fishing for pieces close to the capsule.”
– Dr. K. Alex Dastgheib

Proactive Chamber Stability

Stellaris Elite is the only phaco system that proactively monitors infusion pressure and automatically compensates for changes in pressure using Adaptive Fluidics™ technology to deliver exceptional chamber stability.^1,3 With cataract surgery, after significant nuclear volume has been removed, there is a risk of the posterior capsule trampolining. With flow-based phaco machines, a post-occlusion surge can occur due to the high vacuum during an adjustment period and this can lead to pulling the capsule into the phaco needle. However, with Stellaris Elite, chamber stability is three times higher and there is a reduced risk of post-occlusion surge, compared to Alcon Centurion.¹ This helps ensure capsular integrity.

Stellaris Elite’s Adaptive Fluidics system proactively adapts to the commanded vacuum. Control over vacuum is in the hands of the surgeon and direct occlusion is not needed to control the level of vacuum.

A 58-year-old painter with no light perception in his left eye and light perception vision in the right eye presented for evaluation. He had a rock-hard cataract in the right eye. Dr. Dastgheib performed cataract surgery on this patient. Following surgery this painter had 20/25 vision. He was able to return to work and support his family. The patient and his family are incredibly grateful for the improvement in quality of vision post-cataract surgery.

“I try to use Stellaris whenever possible. I am a conservative surgeon and I think this machine is the right platform for both me and the patient.”
– Dr. K. Alex Dastgheib

To learn more about the Stellaris Elite system, please go to www.bauschsurgical.com. Connect with a representative today if you would like to hear more about how to demo the system in your OR.

References

Data on file. Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.
Tognetto D, Cecchini P, Leon P, Di Nicola M, Ravalico G. Stroke dynamics and frequency of 3 phacoemulsification machines. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2012;38(2):333-342.
Schafer ME. Analysis of the cutting forces using different phacoemulsification modalities. ASCRS 2009.

INDICATIONS & IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Indications: The Bausch + Lomb Stellaris Elite^® vision enhancement system is intended for the emulsification and removal of cataracts, anterior and posterior segment vitrectomy. The system is designed for use in both anterior and posterior segment surgeries. It provides capabilities for phacoemulsification, coaxial and bimanual irrigation/aspiration, bipolar coagulation, vitrectomy, viscous fluid injection/removal and air/fluid exchange operations. The Stellaris Elite^® Vision Enhancement System configured with the laser module is additionally intended for retinal photocoagulation and laser trabeculoplasty.

Contraindications: All Systems: Use of accessories not designated by Bausch + Lomb for use with this equipment may result in serious permanent patient injury, adverse surgical outcome, or damage to the equipment; Systems with Laser Module: Photocoagulation is not indicated for patients without pigmentation (albino eyes). In addition, Laser Indirect Ophthalmoscope (LIO) is not indicated for cases involving laser photocoagulation within the arcades.

Warnings: All Systems: Implantable defibrillators present a risk of injury if triggered by a fibrillatory event during intraocular surgery; Electromagnetic interaction between the phacoemulsification (phaco) handpiece and an implanted cardiac pacemaker is unlikely but cannot be ruled out. Systems with Laser Module: All support personnel who are present during laser treatment must wear appropriate laser protective eyewear; DO NOT look directly into the aiming or treatment laser beam; Use of unapproved delivery devices may cause inaccurate laser delivery which could result in serious permanent patient injury. When using the VITESSE^® Handpiece: Use only the Entry Site Alignment (ESA) devices provided with the VITESSE^® Handpiece Pack (yellow trocar caps). Do not use any ESA with metal components to avoid particulate in the eye. When using the FREEFLOW™ infusion line: Do not attempt to administer intraocular gases or viscous fluids using this device; The infusion line loop should be created in the horizontal plane.

General Cautions for Single Use Accessories: Do not re-sterilize or reuse any single use accessories; Do not use if package integrity/sterile barrier has been breached or compromised; Do not use or attempt to repair damaged single use products. This is not all you need to know. Systems with Laser Module: Misuse of the laser system may lead to dangerous situations and severe injuries. All Systems: See the appropriate Operator Manual for detailed directions, proper use, and full risk and safety information. See individual product instructions for use for detailed information on the use of the VITESSE^® Handpiece, vitrectomy packs and cutters, and the FREEFLOW™ infusion line.

CAUTION: Federal (US) Law restricts these devices to sale, by or on the order of a physician.

^®/™ are trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates.
©2021 Bausch & Lomb Incorporated or its affiliates. SEA.0252.USA.21

Optimized Cutting Efficiency with Stellaris Elite

Exceptional Followability with Stellaris Elite

Proactive Chamber Stability

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