Nitinol Stone Extractor Demonstrates Enhanced Retention Strength

A new stone extraction device allows physicians to easily engage, release, and extract kidney and urinary tract stones while providing improved irrigation, visibility, and enhanced efficiency.

The NGage stone extractor is based on nickel-titanium (nitinol) technology; as a result, the extractor retains its shape following extreme torsion, yet is flexible enough for a physician to guide during stone manipulation without damage to surrounding renal tissue. The duality of the NGage is designed to secure and grip kidney or ureteral stones firmly and also extract and release the stones easily, enabling urologists greater control during stone retrieval procedures. Available in a variety of sizes, and diameters of 1.7 French and 2.2 French, the NGage approaches various procedural needs with increased flow, enhanced visibility, and improved deflection, allowing physicians to entrap stone fragments as small as one mm. In a calyceal model, the NGage demonstrated a superior ability to release stone fragments when compared with both standard and multi wire nitinol baskets. The NGage Nitinol Stone Extractor is manufactured by Cook Medical (Bloomington, IN, USA).

"The NGage has demonstrated a superior ability to securely capture and release kidney stones throughout the urinary tract, even in the most challenging locations,” said Jerry French, senior vice president and global strategic business unit leader for Cook Medical's urology division. "We are pleased to now offer this device to physicians, as part of Cook's ongoing efforts to help urologists render their patients stone-free.”

"Our studies at UTSW [University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Dallas, TX, USA] show that NGage has 50% greater retention strength than traditional graspers,” explained Dr. Margaret Pearle, M.D., a professor of urology and internal medicine at the UTSW. "The device also has demonstrated a superior ability to release simulated stone fragments when compared to both standard and multi-wire nitinol stone extraction baskets.”


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