ULTRASOUND IN VITRECTOMY: An Alternative Approach to Traditional Vitrectomy Techniques.

PURPOSE: To study a prototype of an ultrasound-based vitrector, and to try to understand the physical phenomena underlying this new technology. METHODS: We tested the ultrasound-based vitrector prototype (UV) (ultrasonically-driven handpiece obtained from a modified version of the Alcon CONSTELLATION Vision System [Alcon]) using an automatic experimental setup. Balanced saline solution (BSS) and vitreous (from fresh postmortem enucleated porcine eyes) flow rates were analyzed using three different tips. RESULTS: In general, BSS solution flow rates increased with increasing aspiration levels and decreased when we used % US power. Vitreous flow rates were influenced by aspiration levels, % US power, and ultrasound-related phenomena: cavitation phenomenon and "jet streaming." CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-based vitrectomy may represent an important alternative to traditional vitrectomy. Such a tool, capable of liquefying and excising the vitreous body using ultrasound, could overcome all the limits of the guillotine-based technique (GV). Knowledge of the physical phenomena underlying ultrasound-based technology is a necessary prerequisite for further development of this new technology.

Sino-European science and technology collaboration on personalized medicine: overview, trends and future perspectives.

Aim: Personalized medicine (PM) is revolutionizing biomedical and clinical research while improving the ways healthcare is delivered. The EU is at the forefront of science and innovation in this field, increasing collaborations worldwide. This paper aims to assess the status of recent collaborations between Europe and China in PM-related science, technology and funded research. Methods: We analyze scientific literature, patents and funding programs, respectively. Results: PM is a scientific and industrial priority in both geographical areas, but current levels of collaboration are suboptimal. To increase these levels, policy makers should promote cooperation between researchers, innovators, industries, regulators, funding agencies and healthcare systems, while providing a forum to exchange best practices, define common guidelines for PM implementation and promote public-private partnerships.