OSN Technology and Equipment Workshop presentation: Optiflex

The following excerpt is from a presentation by Scott Swartwout at the 2009 OSN Technology and Equipment Workshop on Optiflex.

Scott Swartwout: I am sorry Dr. Charles was not able to be with us today. My name is Scott Swartwout. I'm actually the North American account manager for the Western half of North America for Volk Optical. My focus today, pardon the pun, is on the new noncontact vitreoretinal system that we call "Optiflex."

A very quick history of Volk, for anybody who isn't familiar with us. We were founded by Dr. David Volk in the early '70s, and the first aspheric lens design for indirect examination in '74. But it wasn't until 1982 that he actually developed the patented double aspheric design that we utilize today. We also introduced the laser lenses with the quadrispheric in 1990.

Surgically, we introduced the Mini Quad in the central retina and the ROLS Reinverter in the early '90s. And now we have developed the Optiflex noncontact system.

It has extremely good image quality, as you would expect from Volk Optical, comparable in many ways to a contact system. Probably the widest field of view that you are going to get with a noncontact design, and with ourselves and our partner, Synergetics, we feel we offer a high level of service and tailored systems.

Functionally, we have two systems. We have an automated and a manual system. The automated system features actually a two-step focus. There is a gross, or rough, focus that is achieved through the lens positioning unit, and then the fine focus is adjustable through a foot pedal.

Again, high resolution optics. We utilize a glass autoclavable lens that is reusable, as opposed to a disposable lens that you might find with a BIOM system.

The Optiflex is available in both automated and manual setups. In addition to the wide-angle viewing, we also have a noncontact high magnification lens. I know many physicians still like to use a contact lens for doing a macular peel but it is an option that is available. That's why the systems are available sort of a la carte. You buy pieces as you wish. And it is compatible with all leading microscopes. I have been in a number of cases with the Optiflex on that Lumera scope (Carl Zeiss Meditec) that they were mentioning earlier, and it is a beautiful system.

As I mentioned earlier, we partner with Synergetics Instrument Corporation as our main surgical distributor. So, in addition to those of us at Volk, your local Synergetics rep is available to do demonstrations. And we do that certainly on-site. And if you are interested in arranging for that demonstration, you can speak to me at booth 203, or contact your local Synergetics rep.

Thank you very much.

The OSN Technology and Equipment Workshop is a showcase of the clinical benefits of new surgical and diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, software, vision testing and contrast sensitivity testing systems. Step beyond the brochures, bring the products in the exhibit hall to life, and hear surgeons' clinical impressions of the newest equipment and instrumentation. This workshop will allow attendees to interact with surgeon users and manufacturers.