Fig 1. A stone is pulled from the ureter using a basket
FURL has emerged as one of the preferred treatment options for <2cm upper urinary tract stones, demonstrating a stone-free rate (SFR) of 94.6% and a minimal incidence of severe complications. The routine utilization of the Ureteral Access Sheath (UAS) during FURL is recommended to facilitate the passage of the ureteroscope in and out of the urinary tract, thereby enabling continuous drainage and improving visualization. However, limitations such as uncontrollable intrarenal pressure (IRP) and suboptimal postoperative SFR still exist.
Fig 2. A thin, flexible tube allows your doctor to access all renal calyces for stone exploration
With the increasing popularity of FURL, UAS has undergone continuous updates and advancements. The novel bendable negative-pressure suction sheath actively reduces intrarenal pressure (IRP) and facilitates the extraction of fragmented stone particles as it accompanies the flexible ureteroscope in and out of the target renal calyces.
Fig 3. Bendable negative-pressure suction sheath
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Limitations of Conventional UAS: |
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Fig 4. Conventional sheaths are not flexible and cannot reach deep into the renal calyx
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Advantages of FURL with bendable negative-pressure suction sheath: |
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Fig 5. The tip-bendable suction UAS can provide better surgical vision when compared with the conventional UAS
Despite the numerous advantages of the bendable negative pressure sheath, the quality of currently available bendable sheaths and ureteroscopes with sufficient bending capability vary in the market. For cases involving larger angled renal calyces, when the ureteroscope lacks sufficient deflecting power, it necessitates the replacement of a 9.2Fr ureteroscope to increase the bending capacity of the bendable negative pressure sheath. After addressing the majority of stones, a switch to a 7.5Fr ureteroscope is made to reduce intrarenal pressure.
However, this approach inevitably leads to increased surgical time and costs. Therefore, the development of an ultra-thin ureteroscope with powerful deflection capability to accommodate the bendable negative pressure sheath becomes crucial and urgent.
Fig 6. Other brands of ureteroscopes unable to drive the bendable Ureteral Access sheath
MacroLux Medical has introduced the "PowerScope," the CoralView® 7.5Fr Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope, developed independently. The insertion tube is constructed using high-strength materials, providing powerful deflection capability to accommodate the bendable negative pressure sheath. Even under a load of laser fibers and while accommodating the bending of the sheath, the CoralView® Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope can still achieve optimal angles. With the ideal sheath/scope ratio and bending force, it perfectly meets the clinical demands of the current FURL development in the field of urology stone management.
Fig 7. The powerful deflection capability of the MacroLux 7.5Fr ureteroscope - Strong Scopes, Effortlessly Driving Ureteral Access Sheath Along
MacroLux Medical has always adhered to the vision of " Healing for life, and life for healing." We aim to offer novel endoscopic interventional diagnostic and therapeutic technologies on a global scale. We are committed to researching and promoting new medical technologies to provide better care for every life.
