Comparison of Human Factors With 2 Generations of Phacoemulsification Systems
Purpose
To identify and discuss the intuitive usability and efficiency in two generations of phacoemulsification systems.
Methods
In this prospective study, six USA university ophthalmology residents were asked to perform 71 specific tasks in six tabulated categories with two generations of phacoemulsification systems. Tasks required the user to program or make changes to system functions. To determine intuitiveness, the untrained users, familiar with the surgical features, were requested to carry out the tasks; they were observed and timed to determine the efficiency of each of the requested activities and the results were tabulated and plotted to compare the two systems.
Results
Analyses across two generations of phacoemulsification systems identified similarities and differences in each of the tabulated categories. Differences between systems become apparent with task complexity; with increasing difficulty, the newer phacoemulsification system was 27 percent more efficient than that of the earlier generation. The mean improved usability score was 1.4 points higher (5-point scale) with a statistical significance of P.0001 in favor of the new platform. The results show that users favor the intuitive programming of the newer generation system.
Conclusion
Improvements in the newer generation phacoemulsification system will show improved usability in comparison to the earlier generation platform. Users prefer programming efficiency with the newer system.