Determining the Safety Threshold for the Passage of a Ureteral Access Sheath in Clinical Practice Using a Purpose-Built Force Sensor.

Purpose: Ureteral injury is a frequent complication of ureteral access sheath deployment. We sought to define the safe threshold of force for the passage of a ureteral access sheath using a novel ureteral access sheath force sensor.

Materials And Methods: Ureteral access sheath-force sensor measurements were recorded in 210 renal units.

Surface-Treated Pellethanes: Comparative Quantification of Encrustation in Artificial Urine Solution.

Encrustation of implanted urinary tract devices is associated with significant morbidity. Pellethane is a polyether-based compound noted for its strength, porosity, and resistance to solvents. We assessed Pellethane thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with and without surface coatings 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TETRA) for the potential to resist encrustation in an artificial urine environment.

Prospective Randomized Comparison of Standard Hand Pump Infuser Irrigation an Automated Irrigation Pump During Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy and Ureteroscopy: Assessment of Operating Room Efficiency and Surgeon Satisfaction.

The objective of this study was to determine if use of an automated irrigation pump (AIP) during ureteroscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) affects circulating nurse labor, irrigation-related issues, and surgeon and nurse satisfaction when compared to manual hand pump (HP) irrigation. Eighty consecutive adult patients undergoing unilateral URS or PCNL were prospectively randomized to irrigation with the HP or AIP. Preoperative pump setup time, intraoperative pump maintenance time, total pump time (setup+maintenance), and the number of irrigation-related concerns verbalized by the surgeon intraoperatively were recorded; postoperatively, surgeons and nurses rated their satisfaction with the irrigation system (1 = highly dissatisfied to 10 = highly satisfied).

Smartphone technology and its applications in urology: a review of the literature.

Purpose: Smartphone technology has propelled the evolution of health-related mobile technology, referred to as mobile health (mHealth). With the rise of smartphone ownership and the growing popularity of health-related smartphone usage, mHealth offers potential benefits for both patients and health care providers. The objective of this review is to assess the current state of smartphone technology in urology.

Reducing kidney motion: optimizing anesthesia and combining respiratory support for retrograde intrarenal surgery: a pilot study.

Background: One of the greatest challenges presented with RIRS is the potential for movement of the stone within the operative field associated with diaphragm and chest respiratory excursions due to mechanical ventilation. To overcome this challenge, we propose in this pilot study a new general anesthesia technique combining high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) with small volume mechanical ventilation (SVMV). Data regarding safety, feasibility and surgeons' impression was assessed.

Endockscope: A Disruptive Endoscopic Technology.

To assess optical performance and diagnostic capability of the Endockscope system (ES) the standard endoscopic system (SES) using four rigid/semi-rigid endoscopes. The ES combines a smartphone, lens system, and a rechargeable light-emitting diode (LED) light source to provide a low-cost alternative ($45) to the standard camera and high-powered light source ($45,000) used in endoscopic procedures. Video clips (<20 seconds) of standard rigid nephroscopy, semi-rigid ureteroscopy, rigid cystoscopy, and laparoscopy in two adult male cadavers were recorded using the ES combined with either the Apple iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S9+ and also with the high-definition SES (Karl Storz).

Evaluation of Urology Residency Training and Perceived Resident Abilities in the United States.

Objective: To identify differences and potential deficiencies in urology residency training programs in the United States as they are perceived by residents/recent graduates and program directors.

Materials And Methods: A 45-question and 38-question survey was sent to chief residents/recent graduates and program directors, respectively, at all 120 US urology programs regarding prior medical education, urologic training curricula, and perceived surgical proficiency, among other topics.

Results: Survey response rate was 58% and 52% for residents and program directors, respectively.