title: Practical comparison of four nitinol stone baskets.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of stone baskets for repositioning of stones or removal of fragment in conjunction with ureterorenoscopy has become widespread. We tested the performance of the ACMI Sur-Catch NT, Bard Dimension, Boston Scientific Zero-tip, and Cook N-Circle in a pig kidney model of flexible ureterorenoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Opening characteristics of the basket were measured with mechanical calipers at 1-mm increments and compared with published reports to ensure the tested baskets were representative. Pig kidneys were placed in a basin and the ureters secured with a suture to a weight for stability. Flexible renoscopy was performed using a 16F flexible cystonephroscope. An 8-mm calculus was placed in the lower pole. Using each of four designs, the time necessary to grasp the stone, time to release the stone, and total time to move a stone from the lower-pole calix to the upper-pole were recorded. Total time experiments were repeated six times with each basket by three surgeons for a total of 18 attempts, and catch-and-release experiments were repeated six times by four surgeons for a total of 24 attempts per basket.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Sur-Catch was significantly slower for catch and release (P < 0.001) and total time; P < 0.05) compared with all other baskets. There were no differences between the other baskets in either catch, release, or total times. There was no difference between surgeons (P < 0.0634) or between attempts one through six (P = 0.538).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Baskets with added complexity of the wire configurations (Sur-Catch) or a deflectable-wire mechanism (Dimension) offer no advantages and may slow capture and release of stones.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Brian D M
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Blew
authors.forename: A Joel
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Dagnone
authors.forename: Luke M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Fazio
authors.forename: Kenneth T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Pace
authors.forename: R John D'A
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Honey
mesh_terms: D000497:Alloys; D000818:Animals; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D013552:Swine; D013997:Time Factors; D014514:Ureteral Calculi
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol