Hospital trust first in UK to use revolutionary kidney pressure device

Surgeons at University Hospital Southampton (UHS) are the first in the UK to use a revolutionary device that can monitor kidney pressure during surgery – reducing the risk of serious complications.

The pioneering technology, known as LithoVue Elite, is a new type of ureteroscope (tiny surgical camera) which has a pressure sensor built into its tip to provide precise readings in real time for the first time.

It is used during minimally invasive procedures – called ureteroscopies – to remove kidney stones and diagnose and treat other conditions within the urinary tract. Ureteroscopies involve using fluid to help with visibility and expand the urinary tract, making pressure monitoring a priority for patient safety.

Previously surgeons had no reliable way to accurately monitor intrarenal pressure (IRP), preventing them from tackling some of the more complex and higher risk cases.

Elevated pressure can increase the risk of serious complications such as bleeding, infection, inflammation and tissue damage which, in some cases, can be life-threatening.

LithoVue Elite is designed to help to avoid these risks by displaying second-by-second data right next to a live video feed and, when elevated pressure is detected, the monitor gives a real-time alert similar to a dashboard warning light so surgeons can act immediately.

They do this by helping to adjust the pressure flow, adapting the scope position or the size of the sheath (the tube used to insert the ureteroscope), using suction technology or, if necessary, pausing surgery.

The novel software also includes a new type of small camera that houses a high-resolution chip to capture detailed images from inside the urinary tract which can be recorded in real time while performing surgery. This allows surgeons to spot kidney stones, tissue abnormalities or bleeding more easily, helping them to act safely and with more precision.

More than eight million people suffer with kidney stones in the UK and UHS treats more than 600 patients every year.

Professor Bhaskar Somani, consultant urological surgeon at UHS, said: “For the first time, we can now monitor pressure in the kidney in real time during surgery, allowing us to make immediate clinical decisions that enhance patient safety and outcomes – this is transformative and revolutionary.

“It’s a bit like combining a GoPro with a pressure gauge and plugging it into a smart dashboard – all minimised and sterilised for surgery.

“I’m proud that UHS is the first NHS Trust in the UK to adopt the LithoVue Elite system which marks a significant moment in kidney stone treatment nationally.”

He added: “The technology allows us to treat complex cases with greater confidence and precision, meaning better outcomes for our patients – and that is something we are all extremely proud of.”

LithoVue Elite has been developed by Boston Scientific. Miguel Aragon, vice president of urology in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Boston Scientific, said: “This next-generation ureteroscope was developed in response to feedback from urologists and expert consensus on the importance of maintaining low intrarenal pressure for patient safety.

“It exemplifies our commitment to developing clinical solutions that enhance patient care while improving procedural efficiency and surgical decision-making.”