Bss Monitor, A Novel Device

To present a novel device that attaches to any phaco or vitrectomy machine and warns the user with an alarm before running out of BSS.

Phacoemulsification and Vitrectomy have become routine surgeryes in almost every country in the world, and with more and more advances in IOL designs and vitrectors, more and more surgeries are being done and patients expect to have a great result. One serious complication is running out of BSS or infusion during surgery. Today we have machines that come with a BSS alarm, but many of them , despite of being great devices, still doesnt, so a solution is needed.

A novel device designed by myself, that can be attached to any phacoemulsification or vitrectomy machine, warns the surgeon before running out of BSS. The device has been used by myself in the OR for about a year now, and helped me not to run out of infusion when the nurse or assistant forget to tell me. The device is hanging from the infusion pole in one end, and has the BSS bottle in the other. Its easy to use and works with any machine. The device can be set to work with all plastic or glass BSS bottles available in the market. The alarm is set to run 3 beeps every 7 seconds aproximately 20s before the bottle runs out, in order to have time to stop and take the instruments out of the eye.

The device showed to beep when the bottle is running low on BSS, and helped at least once a month when the assistant didnt notice. Its a novel device, simple to use and can help and prevent many devastating complications. Also when things are not going as expected, the whole team gets nervous and can miss watching the BSS bottle. 

A possible devastating complication can be prevented with a small device. The cost is not an issue when it comes to complication managing. An assistant that watches the BSS level is not enough as sometimes we have different people helping us, and a mistake can be made. Cataract and retina surgery need to have something to back up or help the assistant and to prevent this complications that doesnt increase the cost . Excellent machines are available but many of them lack of an alarm for BSS levels. This device that costs less than 100 USD can help us surgeons a lot and nurses if they forgot or cant see the level of the bottle.