 Click image to see animation.
  Illustration 33: An example in which the sponge is frequently applied in an uncontained surgical field to "squeegee" the flap. Notice the inadvertent contact with the lid margins, conjunctivae and cul-de-sac regions with repeated "painting" across the margins of the corneal incision.
 Illustration 34: With LAHayeSIK™ Surgical System flap adhesion is accelerated by uniform evaporation of excessive moisture; use of abrasive instruments is minimized or eliminated as well as the usual 2 to 5 minute wait for flap adherence.
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Rapid Flap Adhesion
It is critical that the corneal flap be uniformly adhered (sealed) following assured repositioning and alignment.
Conventional LASIK - Some surgeons may observe the flap from 2 to 5 minutes to allow it to adhere. The use a surgical sponge to “dry the gutter” or squeegee the flap can contribute to shorting the adherence time; however, excessive use of a sponge can create abrasions along the flap surface and margins. Researchers and ophthalmologists agree that abrasions of the flap and bed margins may contribute to complications such as epithelial in-growth under the flap, flap slippage, and micro striae. Additionally, in an uncontained surgical field the sponge may inadvertently contact and absorb surgical fluids and cellular debris from the lid margins and cul-de sac regions that may be inadvertently “painted” over the flap tissues with repeated use during squeegee. (Illustration 33)
LAHayeSIK™ Surgical System - The use of airflow across the repositioned flap accelerates flap adhesion and shortens the surgery time. Dr. Edward Perez demonstrated that drying increases stromal-stromal adhesion. Researchers have demonstrated that this method can effectively and safely replace the “old standard of waiting 3 to 5 minutes for flap adhesion.” Dr. Schumer cites that not only does this method decrease the flap drying time, but that it “allows for control of flap drying in a uniform manner.”
The air delivery function of LAHayeSIK™ Surgical System is designed to assist with flap fixation by providing laminar flow micro filtered sterile air to the realigned flap. The LASIK physician can combine his/her usual method of flap fixation with the automated (hands free) sterile air delivery provided by LAHayeSIK™ Surgical System to accelerate flap adhesion by accelerating evaporation thereby reducing or eliminating the use of surgical sponges. (Illustration 34) When surgical sponges are utilized in conjunction with the air delivery, the cylinder body of LAHayeSIK™ Surgical System will contain the sponge preventing inadvertent contact with lid margins and cul-de sac fluids and contaminants.
The LAHayeSIK™ Surgical System Handpiece is removed after assured flap fixation completing Stage II and the LASIK operation.
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