Cataract surgery is a highly standardized procedure. However a new phacoemulsification system "Quatera 700" has been developed by Carl Zeiss Meditec. The system has a unique patented QUATTRO Pump that directly controls infusion and aspiration and enables a synchronous change in both. It has four membranes, which directly regulate infusion and aspiration and maintain a pre-set intraocular pressure (IOP), resulting in a stable anterior chamber during the surgery. The membranes are activated by pneumatic pressure regulated by sensors that measure infusion and aspiration flows which allows the system to determine and compensate for incisional leakage as well. This innovative pump system allows surgeons to significantly decrease the intra-ocular pressure during cataract surgery. In respect to competitive devices on the market, the Quatera system is able to operate with pressure four times lower than average. Especially in glaucoma patients (patients suffering from optic nerve head damage due to elevated intraocular pressures), performing surgery with lower intra-ocular pressures would help in avoiding extra nerve fiber layer damage and overall safety of the surgery.
