Safe and effective settings for the new Thulium fiber laser used to break up kidney stones
Assessment of the Optimal Settings of TFL for Laser Lithotripsy and Associated Thermal Injury Risk
This project tests different settings of a newer Thulium fiber laser to find ways to break up kidney stones well while lowering the chance of heat-related tissue damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11261246 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have kidney or ureteral stones that need endoscopic removal, researchers here are testing how a newer Thulium fiber laser performs compared with older lasers. They will run laboratory experiments on stones and models to try many combinations of power, pulse, and fiber settings to see which break stones fastest and cleanly. The team will also use bench measurements and computer simulations to track temperature changes and the risk of thermal injury to surrounding tissue. Finally, they will use these results to develop practical recommendations for surgeons so future patients receive safer and more effective laser stone treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with urinary stones who are candidates for ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, especially those with kidney or impacted ureteral stones, would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without urinary stones or those treated with non-laser approaches (for example, shockwave lithotripsy or medical management) are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reduce heat-related injuries during laser stone procedures and improve how quickly and completely stones are broken up.
How similar studies have performed: Early clinical and laboratory reports suggest the Thulium fiber laser fragments stones efficiently but raise concerns about rapid temperature rise, so this work builds on promising but incomplete evidence.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhong, Pei — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Zhong, Pei
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.