Methods and systems for performing vitrectomy with continuous perfluorocarbon infusion

摘要

A method and system for continuous infusion of a dense fluid (e.g., a perfluorocarbon) during performance of a vitrectomy procedure. A vitrectomy cutter device is used to remove vitreous humor from the posterior chamber of the eye and a continuous flow of the dense fluid is infused in the posterior chamber concurrently with the removal of the vitreous through the vitrectomy cutter device. In a recirculating embodiment, a re-circulation loop is formed whereby particles of vitreous removed from the eye are filtered out and the dense fluid is then re-circulated back into the posterior chamber of the eye. The dense fluid may be oxygenated before entering the eye.