title: Ureteroscopes: flexible, rigid, and semirigid.
abstract: Since its introduction, the ureteroscope has undergone significant improvements. Using the currently available rigid, semirigid, and flexible ureteroscopes and working instruments, urologists can diagnose and treat lesions throughout the upper urinary tract. Over the past 25 years, the ureteroscope in combination with shock wave lithotripsy has transformed the diagnosis and treatment of more than 90% of upper urinary tract pathology from an open to an endourologic procedure. With endoscope manufacturers continually incorporating new technology into their ureteroscopes, future models will undoubtedly provide better optics, increased durability, and improved capabilities, resulting in greater success when urologists perform endoscopic forays into the upper urinary tract.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California, Irvine, 101 The City Drive, Building 55, Room 304, Route 81, Orange, CA 92868, USA.
authors.forename: Jay B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Basillote
authors.forename: David I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Louis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Eichel
authors.forename: Ralph V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D020709:Ureteroscopes / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D018666:Ureteroscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods