Innovation brings down cost of kidney stone operation
Dr Diwakar Dalela of the Urology department at CSM Medical University (CSMMU) has indigenously developed a similar sheath, priced at Rs 100 for each sheath. And this one can be reused several times.
A plastic pipe given apt shape by an urologist has brought down the cost of kidney stone operation by Rs 4,000.
Amplatz Sheath (a cylindrical pipe made of Polytef) is compulsorily equipment for operating kidney stone.
The sheath (approximately one feet long) facilitates entry of the nephroscope, fitted with a camera, into the body upto the kidney where the stone is. Thereby the stones are removed with the help of nephroscope.
The sheath, if purchased from companies costs over Rs 4,000 and the company says it should be used only once. This means each patient needs this pipe for individual use.
Dr Diwakar Dalela of the Urology department at CSM Medical University (CSMMU) has indigenously developed a similar sheath, priced at Rs 100 for each sheath. And this one can be reused several times.
Kidney stone operation at CSMMU costs between Rs 10,000 to Rs 18,000 depending upon the case.
Apart from the price, this indigenously developed cylinder has overcome several other drawbacks of the company made sheath.
Branded sheath was totally radio-opaque. This restricted the vision of the camera fitted in the endoscope through the cylinder. Thus some of the smaller stones were missed out during the operation.
The indigenously developed sheath is translucent. Only at its tip there is a radio-opaque ring, which indicates the location of the tip of the endoscope. This gives a clear vision of all stones right at the time when endoscope enters the sheath.
During operation we only need to know the tip of the endoscope thus the new rod is practically comfortable. This enables us to see stones on the other side of the sheath and also is sturdy enough for re-use, says Dr Dalela.
Dr Dalela's sheath has won the best innovation award at the recently held 43rd annual conference of the Urological Society of India after a presentation before the gathering of best/eminent urologists of India.
The equipment has been developed by Dr Dalela and manufactured by a Kolkata based Indian firm.
The differences:
Company sheath--------------------- Dr Dalela's sheath
Costly over Rs 4,000----------------Cheap Rs 100
Sturdy-------------------------------------Soft
Use and throw-------------------------- Reuse several times
Opaque------------------------------------ Transparent