Collage of Museum Artifacts

RETINA ARTIFACTS

Cannulated Extrusion Needle

The cannulated extrusion needle, also referred to as ‘The Snake,’ was designed as a modification of the standard 20-gauge extrusion by including an inner 24-gauge flexible cannula that could be extended up to 18 mm beyond the metal tip. The instrument was used primarily for internal subretinal fluid drainage in eyes with complex retinal detachments caused by proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The flexible canula is guided into the subretinal space through an open peripheral retinal break and the subretinal fluid is evacuated during a simultaneous fluid/air exchange.

Generously donated by Harry W. Flynn, Jr., MD, FASRS