It's expensive ($465), but it's reimbursed by Medicare as a pass-
through product, and Omeros has a great patient-assistance program
in case you run into difficulty with financing. The only caution: You
need to make sure you don't have patients who fall through the
cracks and leave you on the hook for the full cost.
Katalyst
CataRhex3
Oertli's CataRhex3 phaco
machine, which is being distrib-
uted in the United States for the
first time by Katalyst Surgical, is
small enough to take on a plane
as a carry-on. At about 11
pounds, it can be suspended from
any IV pole and it can be set up in
seconds, according to the rep. It's
also powerful, with the capability
to be programmed for up to 20 surgeons. To me it looks promising. A
lot of phaco machines have bells and whistles this one doesn't have,
and I like that simplicity. But I'd have to try it out to know for sure.
One concern is that it uses disposable tubing, which runs about $50
per case, or $75 if you include disposable tips. Multiply that by 3,000
cases a year and it gets pretty expensive. That's why I prefer reusable
tubing when it's available.
SurgiCube International
SurgiCube
This could be an excellent solution for surgeons with space issues. It's
a stand-alone laminar down-flow installation that uses 2 front filter
9 5
J U LY 2 0 1 5 | O U T P A T I E N TS U R G E R Y. N E T
z DOWNSIZED The CataRhex3
weighs only about 11 pounds and
can handle 20 surgeons' preferences.
