Viscous fluid extraction

1. A method of extracting a viscous fluid from a posterior segment of an eye during vitreoretinal surgery, comprising the steps of:

disposing a trocar cannula in a posterior segment of an eye, said trocar cannula having a distal cannula portion for extension into said posterior segment and a proximal hub for contacting a sclera of said eye;

providing an extraction sleeve assembly, said extraction sleeve assembly comprising:

a luer lock fitting having a proximal end for fluidly coupling to a distal end of a syringe, a distal male fitting, and an internal bore; and

a flexible, tubular extraction sleeve friction fit over said distal male fitting so as to create a fluid tight seal between said distal male fitting and an interior surface of said extraction sleeve, and so that a portion of said extraction sleeve having a length suitable to receive said hub of said trocar cannula extends from a distal end of said distal male fitting;

fluidly coupling said luer lock fitting to said distal end of said syringe;

fluidly coupling a proximal end of said syringe to a vacuum source;

disposing said portion of said extraction sleeve over said hub of said trocar cannula;

activating said vacuum source; and

extracting a viscous fluid from said posterior segment through said trocar cannula, said extraction sleeve assembly, and into said syringe.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said viscous fluid is a retinal tamponading fluid.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said retinal tamponading fluid is silicone oil.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of activating said vacuum source creates a fluid tight seal between an exterior surface of said hub and an interior surface of said portion of said extraction sleeve.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein wherein said extraction sleeve is made of silicone tubing.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said portion has a length of about 0.08 inches and an internal diameter of about 0.062 inches at a distal end of said portion.