All the used injectors were inspected and photographed with a light microscope and camera. (Olympus BX50 and Olympus C-7070, Olympus Optical Co. Ltd, Shinjuku, Tokio, Japan). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging was performed at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research under low-voltage (< 1 kV) conditions with an SU8000 microscope (Hitachi, Chiyoda, Tokio, Japan).
The Heidelberg Score for IOL injector damage (HeiScore)12 (link)
was used for damage evaluation, but modified to allow inclusion of the SEM images. Six grades of damage were distinguished:
slight or moderate deformation were observed for the AutonoMe injector using SEM and were graded the same as slight scratches (grade 1) and deep scratches (grade 2).Figure 1 shows representative images for the different grades. Each injector was classified based on light and scanning electron microscopy images.
The Heidelberg Score for IOL injector damage (HeiScore)12 (link)
was used for damage evaluation, but modified to allow inclusion of the SEM images. Six grades of damage were distinguished:
Grade 0: No damage.
Grade 1: Slight scratches or deformation.
Grade 2: Deep scratch or moderate deformation of the nozzle tip.
Grade 3: Extension of the injector tube but not a full thickness crack.
Grade 4: Full thickness Crack.
Grade 5: Burst of the injector tube.
slight or moderate deformation were observed for the AutonoMe injector using SEM and were graded the same as slight scratches (grade 1) and deep scratches (grade 2).
