Karl Storz Releases New Flexible Uretero-Renoscope

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc., a developer of endoscopy equipment and operating room integration solutions, has released its Flex-X^c Flexible Uretero-Renoscope, a product designed to provide endourologists greater imaging and therapy capabilities for treating patients with upper urinary tract diseases.

In the United States, approximately 350,000 patients annually are treated for kidney disease with an endourological procedure. Patients treated with endourological procedures typically experience less post-procedural pain and faster recoveries than those treated with a traditional or minimally invasive surgical approach.

“Flex-X^c incorporates the smallest ever CMOS digital chip, with 20 times the pixel power of its fiber-optic predecessor, with the same small-diameter mechanical platform endourologists demand,” said Michael Grasso III, M.D., professor and vice chairman, Department of Urology, New York Medical College. “As the fiber-optic Flex-X was a game changer when it was released several years ago, the Flex-X^c represents the new standard in actively deflectable flexible ureteroscopy.” Grasso collaborated with KARL STORZ in the design of the Flex-X² and the new Flex-X^c Flexible Uretero-Renoscopes.

The Flex-X^c flexible digital scope is a new endoscopic instrument that enables endourologists to clearly see and treat various kidney disease pathologies. The Flex-X^c flexible scope utilizes a state-of-the-art distal digital camera technology that provides a clear, sharp image of patient anatomy and disease pathologies. In addition to clear sharp imaging, the Flex-X^c flexible digital scope provides maximum accessibility within patient anatomies thanks to its proprietary dynamic flexible design and maximum distal tip articulation. Difficult to reach patient disease pathologies, including upper urinary tract tumors and cancers, can be more effectively treated with the use of the Flex-X^c flexible scope, according to the company.

“The new Flex-X^c Flexible Uretero-Renoscope is a true advance in technology and offers the endourologist improved therapeutic capabilities previously not available for managing patients with kidney stone disease. The excellent image quality and short distal tip length of the Flex-X^c allow me to see and treat in ways I could not previously with other digital ureteroscopes,” said James E. Lingeman, M.D., professor of Urology at Indiana University School of Medicine.

Clinicians expect the market for flexible uretero-renoscopes to grow as minimally invasive treatments become more popular with doctors and patients.

“The number of indications for flexible uretero-renoscopies has significantly increased during the recent years. This trend will go on even more rapidly, due to the distinct tendency towards minimally-invasive treatments,” said Olivier Traxer, professor of Urology at Hospital Tennon in Paris, France. “The key points for a successful treatment are miniaturization of flexible video uretero-renoscopes (chip-on-the-tip technology), high maneuverability, and high image quality. Retrograde IntraRenal Surgery represents an achievement for endourologists and continues to evolve year after year into better management of patients with upper urinary tract diseases.”

Karl Storz President/Chief Operating Officer Charlie Wilhelm said the company has received positive feedback about the Flex-X^c from urologists.

“The response we are getting from urologists is very supportive and encouraging. Urologists now have a new additional therapeutic option for treating all patients who present with upper urinary tract disease,” he noted. “The Flex-X^c Flexible Uretero-Renoscope provides clear, sharp imaging, a dynamic flexible design, and maximum distal tip articulation that enable urologists to have greater access and ability to treat upper urinary tract pathologies.”

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc., is an affiliate of Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG, a developer of reusable endoscope technology. Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, Karl Storz GmbH & Co. KG is a family-owned company that designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets its own products.