Surgical Robotics Technology
Boston Scientific Corporation announces U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance of the LithoVue™ Elite Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope System, the first ureteroscope system with the ability to monitor intrarenal pressure in real-time during ureteroscopy procedures.
Ureteroscopy is a common procedure performed by urologists to diagnose and treat a variety of problems in the urinary tract, most commonly kidney stones.1 Research shows that about one in 10 people will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lives.2 During ureteroscopies, elevated intrarenal pressure (IRP) can occur in response to fluid irrigation which is used to maintain a clear visual field. High IRP may contribute to a range of post-operative complications including systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis and renal damage.3,4 The built-in pressure sensor on the LithoVue Elite ureteroscope tip is designed to allow urologists to make informed, pressure-related clinical decisions.
“Multiple studies have shown the importance of understanding intrarenal pressure during ureteroscopy procedures to mitigate potential complications, but until now, urologists have lacked an easy way to measure pressure in real-time,” said Ben Chew, M.D., M.Sc., associate professor, University of British Columbia.5 “This device represents an important and needed advancement in single-use ureteroscopes, which could help improve patient care and potentially lead to a clearer understanding of the impact of elevated intrarenal pressure on patient outcomes.”
The LithoVue Elite System, comprised of the single-use digital flexible ureteroscope and the StoneSmart™ Connect Console, builds on many of the features of the original LithoVue™ System with significant next-generation innovations. In addition to intrarenal pressure monitoring, device enhancements include:
- upgraded image quality: high-resolution digital chip and advanced imaging software designed to provide faster, sharper image quality and greater depth of field compared to the original LithoVue System;
- updated control features: two programmable buttons on the lightweight, single-use ureteroscope handle enable direct control of video and image capture without the need to coordinate with staff; and
- streamlined integration: the StoneSmart Connect Console, LithoVue Elite’s compact processing unit, is designed to work with existing operating room visualization towers and endoscopic monitors to reduce clutter and capital footprint.
“We’re at a critical moment in kidney stone care where patient demand is outpacing the number of urologists needed to address it,” said Meghan Scanlon, senior vice president and president, Urology, Boston Scientific. “We designed the next-generation LithoVue Elite System to bring a greater level of precision and functionality in the way urologists diagnose and treat kidney stones, an increasingly common condition among adults.6 We are committed to developing clinical solutions, like the LithoVue Elite System, that are intended to make procedures more efficient, empower surgical decisions, optimize patient care and ultimately improve the treatment of kidney stone disease globally.”
The LithoVue Elite System is the latest device in the Boston Scientific single-use imaging portfolio, developed with physician feedback to advance patient care and eliminate infection risk associated with ineffective reprocessing of reusable scopes. It is also the first device built on the company’s next-generation StoneSmart technology platform, intended to support potential interoperability with future Boston Scientific devices.
Limited market release of the device in the U.S. will begin in the coming weeks.
1 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Cystoscopy & Ureteroscopy. Available at: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diagnostic-tests/cystoscopy-ureteroscopy. Accessed June 2022.
2 National Kidney Foundation. Kidney Stones. Available at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneystones. Accessed July 2022.
3 Tokas T, Herrmann TRW, Skolarikos A, et al. Pressure matters: intrarenal pressures during normal and pathological conditions, and impact of increased values to renal physiology. World J Urol. 2019 Jan;37(1):125-31.
4 Proietti S, Dragos L, Somani B, et al. In vitro comparison of maximum pressure developed by irrigation systems in a kidney model. J Endourol. 2017 May;31(5):522-7.
5 Dr. Ben Chew is a paid consultant of Boston Scientific Corporation. He has not been compensated for his quote within this press release.
6 Romero, V., Akpinar, H., & Assimos, D. G. (2010). Kidney stones: a global picture of prevalence, incidence, and associated risk factors. Reviews in urology, 12(2-3), e86–e96.
SOURCE: Boston Scientific Corporation
