Alcon Launches UNITY VCS and UNITY CS for for Vitreoretinal and Cataract Surgery

Alcon announced the launch of the UNITY Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS) and UNITY Cataract System (CS).

The platform offers two configurations, a combined console (VCS) as well as a standalone cataract system (CS). It is designed to deliver superior efficiency for vitreoretinal and cataract surgery, while enabling exceptional outcomes for patients.[2,4-6,*] According to Alcon, the systems feature many first-to-market technologies, including UNITY 4D Phaco, HYPERVIT 30K, and the advanced UNITY Intelligent Fluidics system.[1,4-7] With UNITY VCS/CS, surgeons can operate at more physiologic conditions without compromising efficiency.[1] 

“Alcon has a long legacy of advancing phaco and vitreoretinal technology for surgical ophthalmology. With UNITY VCS/CS, we are introducing more than a dozen innovations designed to transform surgical outcomes while delivering significant efficiencies for surgery centers across the globe,” David Endicott, CEO of Alcon, said in a company news release. “This tremendous accomplishment could not have been achieved without those who participated in the development process, including the surgeons who have been evaluating the machines in their practices over the last year. We are excited to start shipping inventory next month so more practices can experience this extraordinary innovation.”

The combination vitreoretinal and cataract system introduces UNITY Intelligent Fluidics, a pressure and flow control technology with real-time sensing. Surgeons can expect surgical stability and efficiency at each step of the procedure, according to Alcon. [1] Advancements in instrumentation for vitreoretinal surgery include:

• UNITY 27 Gauge Portfolio: Instrumentation that through breakthrough design and the inclusion of the Dynamic Stiffener technology, surpasses the limitations of traditional 27-gauge tools, delivering the stiffness of a 25-gauge system or better, in a smaller gauge.[6]
• UNITY TetraSpot: A multi-spot illuminated laser probe that reduces laser application time by up to three times, enabling surgeons to deliver one, two, or four simultaneous laser spots for greater procedural versatility.[5,‡]
• UNITY Illumination: Reduces blue light exposure to the eye and includes customizable light profiles for excellent tissue visualization, while providing up to 10,000 hours of reliability.[1,8]

The UNITY VCS/CS system is designed to allow cataract surgeons to operate with increased stability and efficiency at more physiologic conditions through its Intelligent Fluidics functionality.[1] This new technology maintains a consistent level of IOP∞ to help support patient comfort during surgery, while allowing for higher average vacuum during lens removal.[1] Other surgical performance enhancements include:

• UNITY Intelligent Sentry: Maintains anterior chamber stability while improving upon CENTURION®Vision System with ACTIVE SENTRY®, reducing post-occlusion surge volumes by 44%.[9,*]
• UNITY Thermal Sentry: The first phacoemulsification handpiece that features a thermal sensor that works with a proprietary algorithm to estimate incision temperature in real-time and regulate ultrasound power.[1]

UNITY VCS/CS is the first product to become available from Alcon’s UNITY portfolio of next-generation surgical equipment solutions. UNITY VCS/CS users can benefit from Intelligent Services Solutions, including select remote service offerings and predictive service capabilities to minimize downtime. UNITY VCS has received CE Mark, and regulatory approvals in Australia, Japan and the U.S. Inventory will begin shipping to Australia, Europe, Japan and the U.S. from May onwards; and to other markets in third quarter of 2025 pending regulatory approvals. 

References

1. UNITY™ VCS and CS User Manual.
2. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24644]
3. Irannejad A, Tambat S, Abulon DJK. Retropulsion and Mass flow of 27-gauge Vitrectomy Probes: Comparison of Dual-blade/flat-tipped probes and single-blade/beveled probes. 2021. Poster presentation.
4. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24379]
5. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24615]
6. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24576]
7. Unity Phaco Handpiece Directions for Use.
8. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-24760]
9. Alcon Data on File, 2024. [REF-25562]