Current Disposable Ureteroscopes: Performance and Limitations in a Standardized Kidney Model.

Due to the increasing fragility of the instruments and rising concerns about the sterility of reprocessable scopes, several single-use devices for flexible ureteroscopy have been introduced. In this study, we compare currently available disposable digital and fiberoptic flexible ureteroscopes with a contemporary reusable fiberoptic device. LithoVue™, Pusen Uscope (UE3011, UE3022), FlexorVue™, and a reusable fiber optic flexible ureteroscope (BOA vision) were tested in kidney models.

Performance of Single-Use FlexorVue vs Reusable BoaVision Ureteroscope for Visualization of Calices and Stone Extraction in an Artificial Kidney Model.

Purpose: To evaluate and compare FlexorVue™, a semidisposable endoscopic deflection system with disposable ureteral sheath and reusable visualization source, and a nondisposable fiber optic ureteroscope in a standard in vitro setting.

Materials And Methods: FlexorVue and a reusable fiber optic flexible ureteroscope were each tested in an artificial kidney model. The experimental setup included the visualization of colored pearls and the extraction of calculi with two different extraction devices (NCircle and NGage).