Key Takeaways

  • Medicel is expanding its Soft Tip I/A portfolio with Bicel Soft Tip I/A Terralution, a bimanual irrigation and aspiration instrument for cataract surgery
  • The device uses a flexible polymer tip and ergonomic cannula and handle design intended to support gentle tissue interaction during cortical removal and capsular cleanup
  • Medicel will introduce the instrument at ESCRS 2026 in London

Medicel AG announced the expansion of its Soft Tip I/A portfolio with the launch of Bicel Soft Tip I/A Terralution, a bimanual irrigation and aspiration instrument designed to support gentle tissue interaction during cataract surgery.

The Swiss manufacturer plans to introduce the instrument at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) 2026 Congress, scheduled for September 11-15 in London.

According to Medicel, the new device extends the company’s soft-tip approach from its Swiss Coaxial Soft Tip I/A platform into bimanual I/A. The instrument incorporates a flexible polymer tip intended to provide controlled interaction with delicate ocular tissues during cortical removal and capsular cleanup.

Posterior capsule rupture remains an important complication and quality indicator in cataract surgery, and published research has reported that rupture frequently occurs during cortical removal. Medicel noted that conventional metal I/A tips can contain microscopic internal irregularities or sharp edges that may contact the posterior capsule if tissue is inadvertently aspirated.

The company said the soft-tip design increases the separation between delicate tissue and exposed metal, with the goal of supporting safer tissue handling during irrigation and aspiration.

Bicel Soft Tip I/A also incorporates what Medicel describes as an “aeroplane shape” cannula design intended to facilitate cortex and epinucleus removal as well as removal of residual lens epithelial cells. The handpiece includes a balanced handle designed to support a natural hand position and a textured, nonslip grip.

“With the Bicel Soft Tip I/A handpiece, we are expanding our Soft Tip I/A portfolio by bringing the philosophy of gentle tissue interaction to bimanual I/A,” Monika Maria Schulten, chief commercial officer at Medicel AG, said in a statement. “The new instrument reflects our commitment to listening to surgeons’ needs and developing solutions that combine performance, ergonomics, and sustainability.”

The new instrument is part of Medicel’s Terralution product family, which incorporates sustainability-focused materials and manufacturing processes. According to the company, the handpiece uses a 75% bio-based high-performance material and is packaged in a recyclable grass-paper box.

Medicel said the product is manufactured in Switzerland using electricity generated entirely from local renewable hydropower.