System and method for enhancing oxygen content of infusion/irrigation fluid for ophthalmic surgery

A method for oxygenating infusion/irrigation fluid for delivery to a surgical site, comprising:

• (a) providing a system for oxygenating infusion/irrigation fluid during the course of ophthalmic surgical procedures comprising:
• a source of oxygen gas;
• a source of infusion/irrigation fluid;
• delivery apparatus for the controlled delivery of infusion/irrigation fluid from said infusion/irrigation fluid source to an ophthalmic surgical site;
• and
• gas permeable apparatus connected to the source of oxygen gas and to the delivery apparatus;
• and
• (b) oxygenating said infusion/irrigation fluid immediately prior to the delivery of the infusion/irrigation fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site,
• wherein both the delivery apparatus and the gas permeable apparatus are adapted to have an orientation with respect to the ophthalmic surgical site that enables delivery of the oxygenated fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site in a substantially constant direction.

A method for oxygenating fluid for delivery to an ophthalmic surgical site, comprising:

• providing a system for oxygenating fluid during the course of ophthalmic surgical procedures;
• oxygenating fluid for delivery to an ophthalmic surgical site substantially immediately prior to the delivery of the fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site;
• and
• delivering the oxygenated fluid to the ophthalmic surgical site substantially immediately after oxygenating and in a substantially constant direction.