Top 10 Urology Times kidney stone articles of 2025

Innovation shone through in Urology Times’ top-read content on kidney stones. Several new pieces of technology were among this year’s highlights, as well as in-depth interviews with experts on the ways treating stones has transformed in recent years.

Real-time IRP monitoring may redefine safety and scope of flexible ureteroscopy

The LithoVue Elite system was granted FDA 510(k) clearance in February 2023,¹ and obtained CE Mark in Europe at the end of 2024.² As the first device with integrated real-time intrarenal pressure (IRP) monitoring, LithoVue Elite may enable urologists to manage larger or more complex stones with flexible ureteroscopy––a procedure traditionally limited to small- or medium-sized stones. In this interview, Professor Andreas Skolarikos shares his experience conducting the first surgery for kidney stones using the LithoVue Elite System and touches on the growing reliance on IRP monitoring during ureteroscopy. He also speculates on how the LithoVue System may allow urologists to develop data-informed decisions about pressure thresholds to maintain during the procedure.

CVAC2 shows safety, efficacy for stone clearance in real-world study

Data from a real-world study showed that the CVAC 2.0 ureteroscope demonstrated a safe and effective approach to stone clearance. The data were presented by Luke Griffiths, MD, at the 40th Annual European Association of Urology Congress in Madrid, Spain.³

Drinking water contaminants could increase risk of kidney stones, study finds

Living in an area with higher levels of contaminants in drinking water could increase the risk of kidney stones, according to new research from the 2025 American Urological Association Annual Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada. An analysis of more than 1100 California residents, results of the study found patients from zip codes with greater levels of drinking water contaminants experienced increased stone burden and recurrence, even after adjusting for poverty level, relative to their counterparts living in areas with low levels of contaminants.^4,5

“Go big or go small”: Current and emerging tools in kidney stone management

It’s an exciting time for stone disease, according to Brian R. Stork, MD. In this interview, Stork offered his thoughts on recent advancements in the field and outlined potential opportunities for further development.

Stent omission after ureteroscopy is safe, improves patient-reported outcomes

Stent omission following ureteroscopy improves patient-reported outcomes compared with stent placement while not compromising patient safety, according to data presented at the 2025 American Urological Association Annual Meeting.⁶

FDA grants Breakthrough Device Designation to Avvio Enhanced Lithotripsy System

The FDA has granted breakthrough device designation to the Avvio Enhanced Lithotripsy System (ELS) as a minimally invasive treatment for ureteral stones, Avvio Medical announced in a news release. The Avvio ELS “introduces microbubble enhanced acoustic cavitation lithotripsy,” according to Avvio Medical. The company also emphasized that the device has the potential to reduce disparities in care by enabling treatment outside of the operating room.⁷

First PCNL procedures with Focalist handheld robotic system debut at WCET

The first procedures using the Focalist handheld robotic system have been successfully performed, Mendaera announced in a news release.⁸ The device was used to obtain kidney access during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The procedures were performed by Karen L. Stern, MD, of the Mayo Clinic and presented during the 2025 World Conference on Endourology and Uro-Technology in Phoenix, Arizona. According to Mendaera, “The Focalist System combines handheld robotics, real-time ultrasound, and advanced software to enable precise, repeatable instrument placement.” The device obtained FDA clearance in the US in July 2025 for use in instrument placement of common interventional devices in adult and pediatric patients.⁹

Pivotal trial of histotripsy system for kidney tumors reaches enrollment goal

The target enrollment has been met in the pivotal #HOPE4KIDNEY trial (NCT05820087), evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Edison System in destroying primary solid renal tumors via the histotripsy procedure, HistoSonics announced in a news release. The Edison System previously received FDA de novo clearance in October 2023 for liver tumors. According to the company, the Edison Histotripsy System is “the first and only platform to use histotripsy, a non-thermal, non-invasive focused ultrasound technology, to mechanically liquefy tumors without surgery, radiation, or systemic therapies.”¹⁰

Single-use scopes and suction: How innovation is moving endourology forward

In an interview with Urology Times, Mantu Gupta, MD, discussed advances and challenges in kidney stone surgery, emphasizing safety, efficiency, and innovation in endourology. Gupta highlights that modern visualization tools have largely eliminated the need for fluoroscopy in most stone procedures. With high-quality digital optics and smaller, more maneuverable scopes, urologists can directly visualize the urinary tract rather than relying on radiation. Fluoroscopy remains necessary in select cases, such as stent placement for obstructing stones, but Gupta’s team has developed training techniques that minimize even that need in most situations.

Dornier single-use ureteroscope and ureteral access sheath launch on US market

The Dornier Hoover Flexible and Navigable Suction Ureteral Access Sheath (FANS) and Dornier Axis II Slim single-use ureteroscope with a 5.6Fr. distal tip are now commercially available in the US for use in kidney stone treatment, Dornier MedTech America announced in a news release. Both the single-use ureteroscope and the FANS are FDA-cleared and have previously been available via a limited release in the US.¹¹

REFERENCES

1. Boston Scientific receives FDA clearance for LithoVue Elite single-use digital flexible ureteroscope system. News release. Boston Scientific Corporation. February 3, 2023. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://news.bostonscientific.com/2023-02-03-Boston-Scientific-Receives-FDA-Clearance-for-LithoVue-TM-Elite-Single-Use-Digital-Flexible-Ureteroscope-System

2. What is ureteroscopy and how does it help in treating kidney stones? News release. Boston Scientific. December 3, 2024. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://news.bostonscientific.eu/what-is-ureteroscopy-and-how-does-it-help-in-treating-kidney-stones

3. Griffiths L, Girgiss J, Sheetz T, et al. Early experience using CVAC next Gen 2.0 — with quantitative computer tomography stone analysis software. Presented at 40th Annual European Association of Urology Congress. Madrid, Spain. March 21-24, 2025. Abstract A0308

4. Suarez PA, Velasquez MC, Mann U, Maluf FC, Chi T, Stoller M. IP06-33 IT’S IN THE WATER: LINKING INCREASED KIDNEY STONE BURDEN TO LOCAL WATER QUALITY BY CENSUS TRACT. J Urol. 2025;213(5S):e326. doi:10.1097/01.JU.0001109820.51058.5a.33

5. American Urological Association. Studies uncover hidden urologic risks—how water, chemicals and everyday exposures impact urinary health - American Urological Association. Auanet.org. Published April 26, 2025. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.auanet.org/about-us/media-center/press-center/studies-uncover-hidden-urologic-risks-how-water-chemicals-and-everyday-exposures-impact-urinary-health

6. Bechis SK, Wollin DA, Rivera M, et al. Randomized multicenter trial of ureteral stent placement versus stent omission after ureteroscopy for renal stones. J Urol. 2025;213(5S2):e6. doi:10.1097/01.JU.0001111604.90306.91.11

7. Avvio Medical receives FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for the Avvio Enhanced Lithotripsy System (ELS). News release. Avvio Medical, Inc. October 28, 2025. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251028004342/en/Avvio-Medical-Receives-FDA-Breakthrough-Device-Designation-for-the-Avvio-Enhanced-Lithotripsy-System-ELS

8. Mendaera announces world’s first procedures with Focalist handheld robotic system. News release. Mendaera. September 11, 2025. Accessed December12, 2025. https://www.mendaera.com/press-releases/mendaera-announces-worlds-first-procedures-with-focalist-tm-handheld-robotic-system

9. Mendaera receives FDA 510(k) clearance for handheld robotic system. News release. Mendaera. July 8, 2025. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.mendaera.com/press-releases/mendaera-receives-fda-510-k-clearance-for-handheld-robotic-system

10. HistoSonics completes enrollment in #HOPE4KIDNEY trial evaluating non-invasive histotripsy to treat kidney tumors. News release. HistoSonics, Inc. June 6, 2025. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250606659747/en/HistoSonics-Completes-Enrollment-in-HOPE4KIDNEY-Trial-Evaluating-Non-Invasive-Histotripsy-to-Treat-Kidney-Tumors

11. Dornier MedTech America launches Hoover and AXIS II SLIM, raising the bar in kidney stone treatment. News release. Dornier MedTech America. September 17, 2025. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.dornier.com/americas/news-plugin/dornier-medtech-america-launches-hoover-and-axis-ii-slim-raising-the-bar-in-kidney-stone-treatment-2/