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The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zilberman, DE; Lipkin, ME; Ferrandino, MN; Simmons, WN; Mancini, JG; Raymundo, ME; Zhong, P; Preminger, GM
Published in: International Braz J Urol
May 1, 2011

Introduction: Recent advances in endoscope design have placed the charged coupled device chip on the tip of the endoscope. The image is instantly digitalized and converted into an electrical signal for transmission. Digital technology was first introduced into flexible cystoscopes/nephroscopes and subsequently into rigid and flexible ureteroscopes. Herein, we assess the image characteristics and advantages of a new generation of digital flexible ureteroscopes. Methods: The Olympus URF-V flexible digital ureteroscope and the Olympus URF-P3 fiberoptic ureteroscope were assessed in vitro for image resolution, distortion, color representation, grayscale imaging, field of view, and depth of field. Results: The digital ureteroscope had a higher resolution at 3, 5, 10, and 20 mm (25.2 lines/mm vs. 8.0, 14.1 vs. 5.0, 6.3 vs. 2.8, and 3.2 vs. 1.3), respectively. Distortion with the digital flexible ureteroscope was lower, though not statistically significant. Color representation was better with the digital ureteroscope, whereas contrast evaluation was comparable between both scopes. The digital flexlible ureteroscope produced a 5.3 times larger image size compared with the standard fiberoptic flexible uretersocpe with a narrower field of view. The depth of field was limited by light and not the optic or the camera for both ureteroscopes. Conclusions: The development of digital flexible ureteroscopes represents a significant technological advance in urology. These devices offer significantly improved resolution and color reproduction as compared with traditional fiberoptic flexible ureteroscopes. Future clinical trials are warranted to ultimately determine the advantages of these innovative endoscopes.

Duke Scholars

Published In

International Braz J Urol

DOI

EISSN

1677-6119

ISSN

1677-5538

Publication Date

May 1, 2011

Volume

37

Issue

3

Start / End Page

398

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Zilberman, D. E., Lipkin, M. E., Ferrandino, M. N., Simmons, W. N., Mancini, J. G., Raymundo, M. E., … Preminger, G. M. (2011). The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics. International Braz J Urol, 37(3), 398. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-55382011000300015
Zilberman, D. E., M. E. Lipkin, M. N. Ferrandino, W. N. Simmons, J. G. Mancini, M. E. Raymundo, P. Zhong, and G. M. Preminger. “The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics.” International Braz J Urol 37, no. 3 (May 1, 2011): 398. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1677-55382011000300015.
Zilberman DE, Lipkin ME, Ferrandino MN, Simmons WN, Mancini JG, Raymundo ME, et al. The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics. International Braz J Urol. 2011 May 1;37(3):398.
Zilberman, D. E., et al. “The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics.” International Braz J Urol, vol. 37, no. 3, May 2011, p. 398. Scopus, doi:10.1590/S1677-55382011000300015.
Zilberman DE, Lipkin ME, Ferrandino MN, Simmons WN, Mancini JG, Raymundo ME, Zhong P, Preminger GM. The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics. International Braz J Urol. 2011 May 1;37(3):398.

Published In

International Braz J Urol

DOI

EISSN

1677-6119

ISSN

1677-5538

Publication Date

May 1, 2011

Volume

37

Issue

3

Start / End Page

398

Related Subject Headings

  • Urology & Nephrology