Optical PCNL Access Catheter
A beneficial innovation to endourology
For the minimally invasive removal of kidney stones (percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy, PCNL), the team at Ebnet Medical, together with Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme, is developing a unique all-in-one puncture system (not yet cleared for commercial distribution).
Current PCNL standard procedures require several consecutive steps using separate instruments such as a puncture needle, guidewire, dilators, and Amplatz sheath. Each step demands high precision, takes time, and carries risks such as infections, bleeding, or misplacement. Furthermore, the procedure is usually performed under X-ray guidance, exposing both patients and surgical teams to radiation.
Unique design: Integration of multiple instruments into a single catheter system
The future medical device is based on the SwordCath® technology principle and features a unique design that integrates multiple instruments into a single catheter system.
The new optical PCNL access catheter (currently under development) combines a puncture needle, dilators, and access sheath in a single instrument and is equipped with a micro-optical chip at its tip. This will enable direct visual control during the puncture and facilitate precise localization of stone fragments. The system will reduce the need for instrument changes, shorten procedure times, and eliminate the need for X-ray guidance. As a result, the procedure will become simpler for surgical teams while significantly reducing patient risks through lower radiation exposure, minimized bleeding risk, and an overall more accurate and tissue-conserving establishment of the access tract to the kidney.
The system is designed as a platform technology for various medical applications and is currently under development. It is being developed with a focus on numerous potential advantages as well as clinically relevant study endpoints. The aim is to demonstrate a clear link between the system’s technical features and measurably improved patient outcomes.
Method
Currently under development, not yet cleared for commercial distribution.
For greater patient and user safety and increased economic value
Greater patient safety
Safe and precise technology
- No harmful radiation exposure
- Smooth, tissue-conserving transition during calibration of the access tract to the kidney
- Time savings in both procedure and anesthesia
- Infection prevention through sterile single-use application
PCNL process optimization
Unique design
- Integrated components for a smooth workflow
- Direct visual control to validate the access target
- Reliable localization of stone fragments
- No guidewire required
Economic value
Fully integrated single-use instrument
- Reduced OR time thanks to shorter procedures
- High user-friendliness through readily available, integrated components
- Less packaging waste and lower logistics and reprocessing costs
Story: Clinical practice meets product development
With the significant involvement of Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme, a recognized expert in the field of endourology, a development project was initiated with the aim of optimizing the technique for percutaneous kidney stone removal.
Based on Ebnet Medical’s SwordCath® technology, an innovative instrument is being developed in the form of an all-in-one puncture system. The new PCNL catheter integrates the puncture needle, dilators, and Amplatz sheath into a single device and is equipped with an optical system at the tip, enabling visual control during the procedure.
An initial prototype is already available and has attracted great interest within the urological community.
The mini-PCNL for adults was developed by Prof. Dr. Sven Lahme and first published in 2011. Since then, this minimally invasive procedure has become established worldwide as the preferred method for the removal of large kidney stones.
Prof. Lahme has demonstrated and further developed the technique internationally through numerous guest surgeries. In recognition of his scientific work in this field, he was awarded a guest professorship at the University of Guangzhou, China, in 2016.
Advantages of mini-PCNL at a glance:
- Comparable stone-free rates to standard PCNL
- Less invasive due to smaller instruments and reduced tissue trauma
- Lower need for blood transfusions
- Significantly lower mortality rates (compared to the standard method)
- Reduced postoperative pain and discomfort
- Shorter hospital stays
- Preferred technique for pediatric patients
Literature references PCNL
Sven Lahme: „Mini-perkutane Nephrolithotomie (mini-PCNL): Eine Übersicht“. Urologie, Ausgabe 2011, Band 50, Heft 4, Seiten 273–278.
Sven Lahme: „Miniaturisation of PCNL.“ Urolithiasis | Vol. 1/2018
Lahme S, Bichler KH, Strohmaier WL, Götz T. : „Minimally invasive PCNL in patients with renal pelvic and calyceal stones.“ Eur Urol. 2001 Dec;40(6):619-24
Extensive Intellectual Property Portfolio
In February 2024, the specialist online magazine DeviceMed recognized Ebnet Medical’s patent application for the Optical PCNL Access Catheter as the Patent of the Week. From the wealth of submissions to the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), the DeviceMed editorial team regularly selects its patent of the week.
DE 10 2022 120 628 A1 (Germany, pending)
PCT/EP2023/072452 (international patent application)
Additional IP filed
Optical PCNL Access Catheter
A beneficial innovation to endourology
For the minimally invasive removal of kidney stones (percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy, PCNL), the team at Ebnet Medical, together with Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme, is developing a unique all-in-one puncture system (not yet cleared for commercial distribution).
Current PCNL standard procedures require several consecutive steps using separate instruments such as a puncture needle, guidewire, dilators, and Amplatz sheath. Each step demands high precision, takes time, and carries risks such as infections, bleeding, or misplacement. Furthermore, the procedure is usually performed under X-ray guidance, exposing both patients and surgical teams to radiation.
Unique design: Integration of multiple instruments into a single catheter system
The future medical device is based on the SwordCath® technology principle and features a unique design that integrates multiple instruments into a single catheter system.
The new optical PCNL access catheter (currently under development) combines a puncture needle, dilators, and access sheath in a single instrument and is equipped with a micro-optical chip at its tip. This will enable direct visual control during the puncture and facilitate precise localization of stone fragments. The system will reduce the need for instrument changes, shorten procedure times, and eliminate the need for X-ray guidance. As a result, the procedure will become simpler for surgical teams while significantly reducing patient risks through lower radiation exposure, minimized bleeding risk, and an overall more accurate and tissue-conserving establishment of the access tract to the kidney.
The system is designed as a platform technology for various medical applications and is currently under development. It is being developed with a focus on numerous potential advantages as well as clinically relevant study endpoints. The aim is to demonstrate a clear link between the system’s technical features and measurably improved patient outcomes.
Method
Currently under development, not yet cleared for commercial distribution.
For greater patient and user safety and increased economic value
Greater patient safety
Safe and precise technology
- No harmful radiation exposure
- Smooth, tissue-conserving transition during calibration of the access tract to the kidney
- Time savings in both procedure and anesthesia
- Infection prevention through sterile single-use application
PCNL process optimization
Fully integrated single-use instrument
- Reduced OR time thanks to shorter procedures
- High user-friendliness through readily available, integrated components
- Less packaging waste and lower logistics and reprocessing costs
Economic value
- Reduced operating room time due to shorter procedure
- User-friendliness by instant readiness of all components integrated into one single instrument
- Reduction in packaging waste as well as logistics and sterilization costs
Story: Clinical practice meets product development
With the significant involvement of Prof. Dr. med. Sven Lahme, a recognized expert in the field of endourology, a development project was initiated with the aim of optimizing the technique for percutaneous kidney stone removal.
Based on Ebnet Medical’s SwordCath® technology, an innovative instrument is being developed in the form of an all-in-one puncture system. The new PCNL catheter integrates the puncture needle, dilators, and Amplatz sheath into a single device and is equipped with an optical system at the tip, enabling visual control during the procedure.
An initial prototype is already available and has attracted great interest within the urological community.
The mini-PCNL for adults was developed by Prof. Dr. Sven Lahme and first published in 2011. Since then, this minimally invasive procedure has become established worldwide as the preferred method for the removal of large kidney stones.
Prof. Lahme has demonstrated and further developed the technique internationally through numerous guest surgeries. In recognition of his scientific work in this field, he was awarded a guest professorship at the University of Guangzhou, China, in 2016.
Advantages of mini-PCNL at a glance:
- Comparable stone-free rates to standard PCNL
- Less invasive due to smaller instruments and reduced tissue trauma
- Lower need for blood transfusions
- Significantly lower mortality rates (compared to the standard method)
- Reduced postoperative pain and discomfort
- Shorter hospital stays
- Preferred technique for pediatric patients
Literature references PCNL
Sven Lahme: „Mini-perkutane Nephrolithotomie (mini-PCNL): Eine Übersicht“. Urologie, Ausgabe 2011, Band 50, Heft 4, Seiten 273–278.
Sven Lahme: „Miniaturisation of PCNL.“ Urolithiasis | Vol. 1/2018
Lahme S, Bichler KH, Strohmaier WL, Götz T. : „Minimally invasive PCNL in patients with renal pelvic and calyceal stones.“ Eur Urol. 2001 Dec;40(6):619-24
Extensive Intellectual Property Portfolio
In February 2024, the specialist online magazine DeviceMed recognized Ebnet Medical’s patent application for the Optical PCNL Access Catheter as the Patent of the Week. From the wealth of submissions to the German Patent and Trademark Office (DPMA), the DeviceMed editorial team regularly selects its patent of the week.
DE 10 2022 120 628 A1 (Germany, pending)
PCT/EP2023/072452 (international patent application)
Additional IP filed