Erdmann Design AG

Erdmann Design Introduces Sophi

2 October 2018

sophi

Erdmann Design has introduced Sophi, an innovation in ophthalmology.

The most efficient way to make a system safe is to eliminate uncertainty systematically. This is exactly what we have done with Sophi. We have reviewed the whole process chain and invented an integrated safety system that complies with the highest standards with regards to process stability, precision and hygiene.

Triple pump fluidics

The centrepiece of every Phaco device is the pumping system for stable chamber fluidics or with regards to Sophi better said: the pumping systems as Sophi has three systems combined in one:

IOP control pump
Peristaltic pump
A patented clean venturi pump

Efficient sinus phaco

The less energy a Phaco handpiece requires the less heat is projected into the eye. That is why Sophi controls the handpiece with a sinusoidal signal, which considerably reduces the energy needed thereby protecting the eye.

Lean cassette system

Every detail of Sophi focuses on safety, without compromises. Sophi offers an automatic Cassette Slot-In-System which reduces the risk of contact between sterile and unsterile areas during loading.

Triple pump fluidics

When it comes to the pumping system, Sophi strikes new, innovative paths. Sophi controls fluidics with three perfectly aligned pumping systems.

IOP control pump

In addition to the gravity infusion, Sophi also comes with an optional active IOP Control Pump.

Thanks to this additional peristaltic pump, Sophi controls flow and pressure of irrigation. As the device is not only aware of the pressure and flow but also of the tubing system and instruments, the infusion pressure at the instrument tip remains stable in the anterior chamber of the eye. Thanks to the fast response time Sophi can be operated in the Occlusion Mode also.

Peristaltic pump

With the peristaltic pump, the surgeon can control the flow and vacuum selectively. The concept of the pump design focuses not only on performance but especially on stability given that the essential part of a Phaco-System is chamber stability after breaking the occlusion.

Clean venturi pump

A real world’s first is the patented Venturi Pump. The special feature is a sealing foil which is part of the cassette and prevents contamination of the device and hospital air with the patient’s eye fluids. Thanks to this innovative solution, Sophi’s Clean Venturi is not only very hygienic but also very fast and safe.
A further benefit is that Sophi needs significantly less power to create the desired vacuum. This benefit enabled the integration of the air compressor into the device.

Cassette system

Sophi is equipped with an automatic Cassette slot-in-system, which eases handling during surgery preparation and prevents the assistant from being contaminated by the non-sterile device while inserting the sterile cassette.

Sophi’s cassette system has more benefits. For example, Sophi automatically recognizes the transition between air and infusion liquids within the cassette which reduces the Prime-Time considerably.

By way of a 2D-code, Sophi can detect whether the cassette is sterile and ready for use.

Efficient Sinus Phaco

Power loss in a Phaco handpiece can result in the increased temperature of the infusion liquid. To avoid this, Sophi works with a system which requires significantly less energy hence which releases less heat. This is made possible by an efficient sinus control which requires less energy to generate the same power amplitude compared to other solutions. This results in improved safety for the eye and has a positive effect on the handpiece’s lifespan.

Infusion level guard

For monitoring purposes and to take pressure off the surgical team, Sophi comes with an Infusion Level Guard, which automatically and continually detects the liquid level of the infusion bottle or infusion bag and which alerts in good time to change the infusion. This Infusion Level Guard works independently and with both, glass or synthetic containers.

Efficiency principles

The term ‘lean production’ gained significant commercial importance in the mid-eighties. The core objective of lean production, also known as an integrated socio-technical system, lies in the elimination of waste. This is the philosophy behind Sophi’s design.