The thulium fiber laser features technology designed to stop energy delivery when the fiber is not aimed at a stone, along with six pulse modes and guided treatment settings.
Olympus has announced the US launch of its next-generation thulium fiber laser platform, which is designed to deliver responsive, adaptable energy for stone management and soft tissue applications.
The SOLTIVE Gemini 60W Laser System includes StoneSense technology. The feature is designed to stop laser emission when the surgical fiber is not aimed at a stone, which Olympus says can help reduce the risk of mucosal tissue damage during endoscopic stone fragmentation.
“There’s a lot of excitement among urologists about the Gemini laser,” says Mantu Gupta, MD, professor of urology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and director of the Mount Sinai Kidney Stone Center, in a release. “I can say from my personal experience that the advances in laser technology the Gemini offers, such as spectral feedback, enhance the safety and efficacy of the TFL laser.”
Gupta adds that the platform can support a range of uses, from training newer urologists to performing more advanced stone lithotripsy procedures.
Six Pulse Modes and a Guided Setting Option
The system offers six pulse modes for stone and soft tissue procedures:
- Regular: A standard flat-top pulse used for lithotripsy and soft tissue procedures.
- Continuous Wave: Constant, uninterrupted laser power for soft tissue procedures such as tissue vaporization and coagulation.
- Fragmentation Pulse: A pulse shape optimized for ablating stones into large fragments.
- Minimal Retropulsion Pulse Mode: Designed to reduce retropulsion when treating small stones, those less than 5 mm.
- Enucleation Pulse: Provides a uniform coagulation margin throughout enucleation procedures, which Olympus says improves hemostasis compared with a standard thulium fiber laser pulse.
- Minimal Carbonization Pulse: Designed for soft tissue incision and excision with reduced tissue carbonization.
The system also includes Guided Mode for stone management, soft tissue, and benign prostatic hyperplasia procedures. Guided Mode is a procedure-based parameter selection tool developed with internationally recognized endourology experts to help users choose laser treatment settings.
“As part of our commitment to patient focus, we are excited to launch SOLTIVE Gemini, which offers flexibility to tailor energy delivery,” says Seiji Kuramoto, executive officer and surgical and interventional solutions division head at Olympus, in a release. “The advanced technology featured in Olympus’ newest thulium fiber laser platform offers clinicians versatility and control to help provide their patients with the best possible care.”
Kidney Stone Incidence Continues to Rise
Olympus cites growing demand for stone treatment tools. Roughly 30 years ago, about 5 in every 100 people in the US developed a kidney stone. Now, about 1 in 10 people will develop one in their lifetime. The company also notes that kidney stones in children have become more common and that stone attacks result in more than 600,000 emergency room visits annually.
Olympus states that the system should be used only by physicians and staff who have read and understand the instructions for use and are trained in laser safety. The company notes that, as with all laser-based and surgical procedures, inherent risks include potential tissue injury, bleeding, infection, and eye or skin exposure to laser radiation. Improper use, device malfunction, or use outside recommended conditions may add further risks.
Photo caption: SOLTIVE Gemini 60W Laser System
Photo credit: Olympus
