A research team at Stanford University has introduced a new magnetic medical device called MagSToNE (Magnetic System for Total Nephrolith Extraction) to make kidney stone removal faster and more effective during ureteroscopy.
The MagSToNE device uses magnetic technology to collect fragmented stones efficiently, reducing both surgery time and complications.
Currently, kidney stones are treated using ureteroscopy, where a laser breaks the stone into smaller pieces that are then removed one by one with a basket, a process that can take a long time. In some cases, the fragments are left to pass naturally through urine, but this doesn’t always happen, leading to blockages or repeat procedures.
The new MagSToNE system aims to solve this problem. It includes a thin magnetic wire, called MagWIRE, and special super-paramagnetic particles that attach to stone fragments. After the laser breaks the stone, a solution containing these particles coats the fragments, making them magnetically active. The MagWIRE then attracts and retrieves multiple pieces in one pass, saving significant operating time.
In laboratory testing, the device achieved over 90% efficiency in collecting 1 mm calcium phosphate stone fragments, performing more than 10 times faster and over 10 times more effectively than traditional retrieval baskets. The researchers also found that FDA-approved ferumoxytol nanoparticles, already used for treating iron deficiency anemia, performed well in the system.
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The team plans further studies to improve particle chemistry and wire design and will soon begin animal testing to evaluate safety and effectiveness.
If successful, MagSToNE could be adapted for other procedures such as percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and bladder stone removal, offering a new and faster way to achieve complete stone clearance.
