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Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Tom, WR; Wollin, DA; Jiang, R; Radvak, D; Simmons, WN; Preminger, GM; Lipkin, ME
Published in: J Endourol
December 2017

INTRODUCTION: Single-use ureteroscopes have been gaining popularity in recent years. We compare the optics, deflection, and irrigation flow of two novel single-use flexible ureteroscopes-the YC-FR-A and the NeoFlex-with contemporary reusable and single-use flexible ureteroscopes. METHODS: Five flexible ureteroscopes, YC-FR-A (YouCare Tech, China), NeoFlex (Neoscope, Inc., USA), LithoVue (Boston Scientific, USA), Flex-Xc (Karl Storz, Germany), and Cobra (Richard Wolf, Germany), were assessed in vitro for image resolution, distortion, field of view, depth of field, color representation, and grayscale imaging. Ureteroscope deflection and irrigation were also compared. RESULTS: The YC-FR-A showed a resolution of 5.04 lines/mm and 4.3% image distortion. NeoFlex showed a resolution of 17.9 lines/mm and 14.0% image distortion. No substantial difference was demonstrated regarding the other optic characteristics between the two. Across all tested ureteroscopes, single-use or reusable, the digital scopes performed best with regard to optics. The YC-FR-A had the greatest deflection at baseline, but lacks two-way deflection. The NeoFlex had comparable deflection at baseline to reusable devices. Both ureteroscopes had substantial loss of deflection with instruments in the working channel. The YC-FR-A had the greatest irrigation rate. The NeoFlex has comparable irrigation to contemporary ureteroscopes. CONCLUSIONS: The YouCare single-use fiberoptic flexible ureteroscope and NeoFlex single-use digital flexible ureteroscope perform comparably to current reusable ureteroscopes, possibly making each a viable alternative in the future. Newer YouCare single-use flexible ureteroscopes with a digital platform and two-way deflection may be more competitive, while the NeoFlex devices are undergoing rapid improvement as well. Further testing is necessary to validate the clinical performance and utility of these ureteroscopes, given the wide variety of single-use devices under development.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Endourol

DOI

EISSN

1557-900X

Publication Date

December 2017

Volume

31

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1301 / 1306

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Ureteroscopy
  • Ureteroscopes
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Humans
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Equipment Design
  • Disposable Equipment
  • Color
  • 3202 Clinical sciences
 

Citation

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Tom, W. R., Wollin, D. A., Jiang, R., Radvak, D., Simmons, W. N., Preminger, G. M., & Lipkin, M. E. (2017). Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison. J Endourol, 31(12), 1301–1306. https://doi.org/10.1089/end.2017.0447
Tom, Westin R., Daniel A. Wollin, Ruiyang Jiang, Daniela Radvak, Walter Neal Simmons, Glenn M. Preminger, and Michael E. Lipkin. “Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison.J Endourol 31, no. 12 (December 2017): 1301–6. https://doi.org/10.1089/end.2017.0447.
Tom WR, Wollin DA, Jiang R, Radvak D, Simmons WN, Preminger GM, et al. Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison. J Endourol. 2017 Dec;31(12):1301–6.
Tom, Westin R., et al. “Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison.J Endourol, vol. 31, no. 12, Dec. 2017, pp. 1301–06. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/end.2017.0447.
Tom WR, Wollin DA, Jiang R, Radvak D, Simmons WN, Preminger GM, Lipkin ME. Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison. J Endourol. 2017 Dec;31(12):1301–1306.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Endourol

DOI

EISSN

1557-900X

Publication Date

December 2017

Volume

31

Issue

12

Start / End Page

1301 / 1306

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
  • Ureteroscopy
  • Ureteroscopes
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Humans
  • Fiber Optic Technology
  • Equipment Design
  • Disposable Equipment
  • Color
  • 3202 Clinical sciences