About the ASMOTOM

The ASMOTOM is the first automated corneal trephine system, and the only motorized system available today. It is the first to combine a motorized cutter with vacuum fixation. Both of these features have been improved and expanded using innovative design and exceptional quality precision mechanics:

• The fixation system utilizes a unique double vacuum attachment, consisting of a central vacuum bell and a peripheral, concentric vacuum ring, allowing a firm fixation on the inside and the outside of the rotating circular blade. Stabilizing the outside of the cut only, like most of the other trephines do, causes torsion during the trephination resulting in distortion of the cornea’s center portion, which can result in uneven cuts.
• The high-speed motor not only drives the cutter, but also slowly advances the circular blade into the cornea to a preset cutting depth. Once this depth is reached, the cutter retracts, holding on to the separated central corneal disc.

Centration is achieved by using a corneal marker, which has the same shape as the base of the hand piece. After marking the cornea, the hand piece is placed on to the marked position. During trephination the hand piece only needs to be held in position and the ASMOTOM performs the cut automatically. There is no need to push the hand piece onto the cornea risking unwanted iris trephination. Due to the double fixation, precision cutter feed and elimination of force necessary during the cut, over - and undercuts are eliminated resulting in beautiful straight edges. The surgical trauma is greatly reduced especially on the endothelial cells. The result is a shorter healing process and less astigmatism due to imperfections. The ASMOTOM produces better surgical results.

The trephination of the corneo-scleral disc is also made easy. It only has to be placed with it’s epithelial side down onto hand piece (which in this case is being held with the cutter facing up), centered visually, and the ASMOTOM does the rest by firmly fixating it with it’s unique vacuum system and performing the cut automatically. There is no need for an artificial anterior chamber. The transplant needs less handling, reducing trauma to the endothelial cells, especially if compared to systems using a crude mechanical punch.

A built in safety mechanism stops the blade the moment when vacuum is lost.

For optimum results we recommend hypotonisation of the bulbus prior to surgery and the use of LA GEL, a protective, adhesive, high viscosity ophthalmic viscoelastic. Both, the Vorosmarthy type Oculopressor from Deutschmann Instruments and the LA GEL are available from General Innovations.

Technical advantages:

• central and peripheral fixation
• high speed cutter
• automatic tool feed
• adjustable cutting depth
• automatic retraction
• safety stop on vacuum loss
• simple design
• logical and practical layout
• precision components
• sterilizer friendly storage
• complete system

Practical advantages:

• easy assembly
• easy transplant preparation
• automatic operation
• easy sterilization
• low maintenance

Clinical advantages:

• safe operation
• reduced chance of iris damage
• faster healing due to reduced trauma
• less induced astigmatism
• less endothelial cell loss
• better postoperative results

 The system includes:

• Control unit containing vacuum pump, pressure gauge, power supply ( 80 - 240 Volts), electronic control circuitry and connectors for power, vacuum, hand piece and footswitch.

• Sterilizer case with filter system for gas and steam sterilization designed to serve as the primary storage for the hand pieces and it’s components

• Two sterilizer trays, containing the two hand pieces (for donor and patient), cutters, marker, offset rings, electrical cable and vacuum tubing.

• Two motor cartridges (one for each hand piece) - Not to be sterilized or lubricated!

• A total of 20 circular blades. 10 for donor, 10 for patient. 5 sizes each, 2 cutters each size. (blade sizes for patient - 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0 mm, for donor - 6.0, 6.5, 7.1, 7.6, 8.2 mm)

• Foot switch

• Operating manual

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