Kidney stones occur when there is an imbalance of minerals or other substances in the urine. When these minerals form crystals, they become concentrated and can form hard masses known as kidney stones. Treatment for kidney stones can be challenging as the size and location of the stone can vary greatly. This makes it difficult to target them accurately with traditional treatment methods such as shockwave lithotripsy.
On February 18, 2023, Rhein Laser Technologies, a company based in Wuhan and Dusseldorf that specializes in medical lasers, introduced a new machine that could change urologic care. The company markets the UroFiber 150Q as the “world’s first 150W SuperPulsed thulium fiber laser (TFL) system”. While it curiously looks like a copier, the new machine can help in treating stone lithotripsy and prostate hyperplasia in the future.
Utilizing the TFL system
Thulium laser got its name from the thulium-infused silica fibers used to generate the laser beam. Practitioners previously used holmium laser, but studies have found that thulium laser has distinct advantages. The thulium laser’s higher pulse rate makes it more efficient in fragmenting the particles that need to be removed and generates less dust. It is also safer and easier to operate. No wonder Rhein Laser Technologies decided to create the UroFiber 150Q using this technology.
UroFiber 150Q’s precision and accuracy can potentially improve the treatment of kidney stones and prostate hyperplasia. As such, the machine could bring relief to many patients who suffer from these conditions. According to the company, it “uses all-fiber technology with customized high-brightness narrow spectrum fiber-coupling 792nm diode laser pumping thulium fiber to achieve high power 1940nm CW&QCW laser. In SuperPulsed mode (QCW), its peak power can reach 600W with average output power up to 150W.”
In layman’s terms, the UroFiber 150Q is a powerful and very precise medical machine that can help in the field of urology. It can also operate 24/7 with acceptable noise levels. Apart from removing kidney stones, it can also clear prostate hyperplasia, an accumulation of cells in the prostate that prevents urine from flowing correctly. The
Photo credits: The feature image is only symbolic and has been taken by Sofiia Shunkina. The image in the body of the article has been provided by Rhein Laser Technologies and has been provided for press usage.
Sources: PR Newswire / EMS Urology
