Endoscope Protection System Prevents Accidental Laser Damage

An endoscope protection system (EPS) has been designed to prevent accidental laser damage to the distal end of flexible ureteroscopes from holmium lasers.

The Gyrus EPS is used in conjunction with the Gyrus DUR-D Digital Flexible Ureteroscope. An ultra-miniature (1 mm) complementary metal oxide semi-conductor (CMOS) distal sensor technology works in unison with the Gyrus EPS software to accurately detect the laser fiber position, and instructs the laser to shutdown when the fiber is withdrawn to a position inside the working channel of the endoscope where damage could occur. The EPS response is based on feedback from the CMOS imaging chip at the distal end of the DUR-D Ureteroscope.

The EPS software package provides two modes of operation. The Alert Only mode accurately detects the laser fiber position and emits an alert tone and Check-Fiber warning message on the monitor screen. In the Control Laser mode, the DUR-HL20 laser is connected to the control unit and can be actively fired if the laser fiber is in the safe field of view. If the laser fiber is retracted too far into the ureteroscope, the software emits the alert tone, flashes a Check Fiber warning, and places the laser in its standby mode. Shutdown of the laser occurs in less than 100 milliseconds and the laser cannot be fired again until the fiber is advanced to a safe distance and the laser is put into its ready mode. In trials, even after 120 laser fiber retractions into the DUR-D Ureteroscope while actively firing, there was no evidence of damage and ureteroscope performance remained unchanged. All these products are manufactured by Gyrus ACMI (Southborough, MA, USA.com).

"Surgeons use ureteroscopes to access, diagnose and treat almost all upper urinary tract conditions. Considering that up to 70% of ureteroscope malfunction can be attributed to laser damage, the Gyrus ACMI Endoscope Protection System (EPS) is an important technology advancement that will dramatically decrease the number of repairs and reduce the cost of doing ureteroscopy”, said Roy Davis, CEO of the Gyrus Group.


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