Aspiration Ureteroscope: a medical surgical instrument for removal of kidney stones

Background: 

The procedure consists of inserting the ureteroscope and actuating the tip to curl into the interior of the kidney and be able to reach every cavity a kidney stone may be located, irrigating inside the body and lasering stones to fragment them into smaller pieces. The device also consists of a LED and camera culminating at the distal tip. 

Project Goal: 

To expand on current ureteroscope device by implementing a larger aspiration channel while maintaining current device capabilities. 

 

Objectives:

Primary  

  • Larger aspiration channel diameter.
  • 14 Fr device diameter.
  • Remove more kidney stones.
  • Be compatible with current aspirator and irrigator.
  • Disposable

Secondary 

  • Less clogging of kidney stones in aspiration channel.
  • Decrease number of times ureteroscope is inserted during procedure.
  • Allow laser more precise access to kidney stones. 
  • Create 2-4 channels.
  • Minimize all other component diameters (LED, camera, laser) in order to increase aspiration channel diameter.

 

Milestones:

1. Understand the current device: read scientific literature about ureteroscopy, read patents of current devices on the market, research kidney stones, and understand basic kidney/ureter anatomy. (1/31/2024)

2. Understand mechanics of the device: take the device apart in Professor Shkel’s lab under a microscope to reverse-engineer the mechanics of the device. (2/29/2024)

3. Identify what modifications need to be made: find and list what modifications need to be made to the current device to allow for a larger aspiration channel. (3/15/2024)

 

Purpose: 

To improve existing Ureteroscope device by maximizing the aspiration device channel diameter in order to maximize the removal of kidney stones to eliminate the need for repeat procedures.

 

Team Contact:

Raymond Rojas, rdrojas1@uci.edu

Samantha Parkin, sbaggs@uci.edu

Abir Albazian, aalbazia@uci.edu

 

Sponsor:

Andrei Shkel, ashkel@uci.edu

 

 

Project status: 
Active
Department: 
MAE
Term: 
Winter
Spring
Academic year: 
2023-2024
Fall Poster: 
Ureteroscope Poster
Author: