The new Olympus digital flexible ureteroscope (URF-V): Initial experience

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Endoscopy

Background:

• Flexible ureterorenoscopes (FURSs) are crucial in urology.
• Conventional fiberoptic endoscopes suffer from poor image quality and fragility.
• A new digital flexible ureteroscope offers potential improvements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical performance and functional durability of the Olympus digital flexible ureteroscope (ODF-URS) (URF-V).

Main Methods:

• Sixty diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were conducted over six months using a single ODF-URS (URF-V).
• The device features 275° maximal down-deflection (MDD) and 180° maximal up-deflection (MUD).
• Device usage time was recorded, and deflection angles were measured post-procedures.

Main Results:

• After 60 procedures, MDD decreased from 275° to 217°, and MUD decreased from 180° to 161°.
• In 10% of cases, access to the inferior calyx was impeded due to narrow infundibula.
• The ODF-URS (URF-V) demonstrated a total usage time of 90 hours and 30 minutes.

Conclusions:

• The ODF-URS (URF-V) is a reliable and durable digital flexible ureteroscope with good success rates.
• It offers superior image quality and light source compared to older fiberoptic models.
• Further randomized comparative studies are needed to fully assess its performance and durability.