Stable Access, Low-Pressure Clearance – The Smart Choice for Ureteral Access Sheaths

In the field of minimally invasive urological treatment, retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) has become one of the preferred options for managing renal stones. However, protecting the ureter, maintaining safe intrarenal pressure, and improving stone clearance efficiency during the procedure remain core challenges for clinicians.

The Ureteral Access Sheath (UAS) is precisely the key device to address these challenges, providing a stable, safe, and efficient access solution for RIRS procedures.

What Is "Stable Access"?

During RIRS, the flexible ureteroscope needs to pass back and forth repeatedly into the upper urinary tract for stone fragmentation and retrieval. Without the protection of an access sheath, direct friction between the scope and the ureteral wall may lead to:

● Ureteral mucosal abrasion and bleeding

● Ureteral perforation (a serious complication)

● Postoperative ureteral stricture

Our access sheath serves as a "protective channel," providing a dedicated working pathway for the flexible ureteroscope:

● Thin-walled, large-lumen design: Outer sheath diameters of 10Fr-14Fr, with an inner lumen fully accommodating 7.5Fr-9Fr flexible scopes

● Stainless steel coil reinforcement: Kink-resistant and collapse-resistant, maintaining lumen patency even in tortuous anatomy

● Full-length hydrophilic coating: Forms a smooth gel-like surface when hydrated, significantly reducing insertion resistance

● Optimized scope-to-sheath ratio: Recommended scope outer diameter/sheath inner diameter ratio ≤0.75, achieving the best balance between drainage efficiency and ureteral protection

"Stable Access" means: Smooth scope passage with the ureteral wall left unharmed.

What Is "Low-Pressure Clearance"?

During RIRS, continuous irrigation is required to maintain a clear visual field. When fluid outflow is obstructed, intrarenal pressure rises sharply – exceeding the safe threshold (30-40 mmHg) can lead to:

● Fluid reflux, bacterial and endotoxin translocation into the bloodstream

● Postoperative fever and urosepsis

● Renal parenchymal injury

Our access sheath provides an efficient low-pressure clearance solution:

● Efficient drainage pathway: The large-diameter outer sheath provides ample space for fluid return, keeping intrarenal pressure within safe limits

● Suction function (suction UAS): Actively aspirates stone fragments during fragmentation, maintaining continuous low-pressure status

● "Vacuum cleaner effect": Studies show that suction sheaths achieve significantly higher single-session stone-free rates compared to conventional sheaths

"Low-Pressure Clearance" means: Safe renal decompression with efficient stone clearance.

Why Is It "The Smart Choice"?

1. Multiple Specifications for Precise Matching

Available in outer sheath diameters of 10Fr, 12Fr, and 14Fr, and working lengths of 35cm, 45cm, and 55cm, accommodating the ureteral anatomical characteristics of both adults and children. Clinicians can select the most appropriate size based on preoperative imaging assessments such as CT urography.

2. Suction Function for Enhanced Clearance

Next-generation suction access sheaths integrate a suction port into the traditional sheath design:

● Actively aspirates stone fragments during fragmentation

● Effectively reduces intrarenal pressure and decreases bacterial reflux

● Reduces reliance on auxiliary devices such as stone retrieval baskets

3. Visualized Positioning for Precise Operation

● Radiopaque marker band: Clearly visible at the sheath tip under X-ray, ensuring the sheath tip is ideally positioned in the renal pelvis or upper ureter

● Full-length graduated markings: Facilitate assessment of insertion depth

● Flared funnel handle: Wide-mouth design guides the endoscope into the sheath without requiring direct visual alignment

Primary Clinical Applications

● Nephrolithiasis and upper ureteral calculi (standard for RIRS)

● Ureteral stricture dilation

● Diagnostic upper urinary tract evaluation

Choosing our ureteral access sheath means choosing safer RIRS, more efficient stone clearance, and more reliable outcomes.

Safeguarding stone procedures, protecting kidney health – The Ureteral Access Sheath, your smart choice.

Disclaimer: This article is for medical popularization, purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Please always follow the diagnosis and treatment plans provided by your treating physician.