Researchers have reported the successful performance of renal cryotherapy, wedge biopsy of a kidney, abdominal sacrocolpopexy, and radical nephrectomy using the Uni-X Single Port Access Laparoscopic System of Pnavel Systems, New Jersey. The Uni-X Single Port is placed through a 1.5cm incision in the body. There are three portals in the port for the passage of a 5mm flexible steerable laparoscopic endoscope and 2, 5 mm articulating instruments. The endoscope and instruments can be triangulated at the broader angles.

According to a study scheduled to be published in the July issue of the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN), black patients face a higher risk of dying in the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) than whites. The study’s results indicate that racial differences in the death rates of chronic kidney disease patients depend more on sociological factors than on biological ones. Poverty and lack of education and medical insurance, in particular, may contribute to the high death rates among black individuals. However, among patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease, the trend is reversed and black individuals have a survival advantage over whites.

Urodynamix Technologies has started the evaluation of its second-generation prototype near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensor for measuring blood flow in the prostate gland during the digital rectal examination (DRE). DRE is the most prevalent screening test for prostate cancer patients. The company’s NIRS DRE system enhances the traditional DRE process by capturing data to improve the clinicians’ ability to detect prostate diseases, including prostrate cancer.

The NGage Nitinol Stone Extractor, manufactured by Cook Medical, represents an entirely new category in the evolution of stone extraction. Utilizing the revolutionary nitinol technology, NGage allows physicians to easily engage, release and extract stones even in the most difficult anatomy while providing improved irrigation, visibility and enhanced efficiency. In recent clinical evaluations, the breakthrough NGage proved more effective than standard devices in grasping and holding fragments in the kidney and urinary tract. Its retention strength was also demonstrated to be 1.5 times stronger than traditional graspers.

Minneapolis-based researchers say that a urinary tract infection may be caused by the E. coli bug picked up from a pet. The study was conducted in humans and pets in 63 households. Published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, the research found that the E. coli strain within a household was same in 68% of domiciles.

Photo by annia316

Ceragenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. said its CeraShield coated silicone urinary catheters used in preclinical tests were able to provide complete protection against E.coli bacterial colonization for the entire duration of a 21–day study. The results of the study, which also examined two leading silver-coated urinary catheters and one nitrofurazone-eluting catheter in the same protocol, reflected that all three of the compared catheters lost antimicrobial activity after three days.

A research led by a Johns Hopkins has indicated that African-American people suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD) continue to lose their kidney function over time even when their blood pressure is kept strictly under control. The study involving 1,094 African American patients reflected that the kidney functions of these patients continued to deteriorate even through their blood pressure remained below the recommended range, often leading to dialysis, kidney transplantation and even death. The findings suggested that treating CKD in this population may be vastly more complex than thought previously.

According to Abbott UK, the company is launching Zemplar’s (paricalcitol) oral formulation for patients of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT). It is a prevalent complication of chronic kidney disease, which involves a decrease in vitamin D activation. The Zemplar oral formulation now offers patients the convenience of a capsule, as compared to the earlier option of paricalcitol injections.

Men, particularly blacks, with diabetes are more at risk for lower urinary tract symptoms and nocturia, say researchers led by Dr. Aruna V. Sarma, at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. The association between diabetes and prostate volume was not found to be significant, which suggests that diabetes might be more related to lower urinary tract function.

SunTech Medical launches their Advantage™ HDM (Hemodialysis Monitoring) OEM Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (OEM NIBP) technology designed specifically for monitoring blood pressure during hemodialysis. SunTech is currently the only provider of this application-specific technology, which recently achieved an “A” rating for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurement, according to the British Hypertension Society (BHS) protocol.