Transforming Medical Campus
If you’ve been by Carson Tahoe’s Medical Campus lately, you may have noticed a large…
Carson Tahoe Acquires Olympus SOLTIVETM SuperPulsed Laser System, Designed for Treating Kidney Stones
Carson Tahoe Health is among the first in the Northern Nevada region to utilize the Olympus Soltive™ SuperPulsed Laser System in urology procedures. Soltive is an elegant new laser technology that enables physicians to deliver quicker and more efficient kidney stone removal and the treatment of enlarged prostates, which often translates to shorter procedural times and less patient discomfort.
“One of our goals is to bring better healthcare home,” says Allen Fink, D.O., Carson Tahoe Health Vice President & Chief Medical Officer. “This improved laser technology will allow our physicians to more effectively treat patients experiencing painful stones and enlarged prostates. And, instead of traveling for advanced care, you can now receive advanced treatment here – right in your backyard.”
Over the past 30 years, the U.S. has seen an upward trend in the prevalence of kidney stones, a crystalized particle formed when chemicals in urine concentrate, among Americans. According to the National Kidney Foundation, each year, more than half a million Americans go to the emergency room for kidney stone problems. It is estimated that one in ten people will have a kidney stone at some point in their life.
The Soltive SuperPulsed Thulium Fiber Laser System is an all-in-one platform for lithotripsy, soft tissue and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Designed to have a small footprint, the platform is an eighth of the size of other laser systems. This compact system offers the broadest range of settings for fragmenting, dusting, fine dusting of kidney stones and various soft tissue indications including the treatment of BPH. The Soltive portable laser system plugs into regular wall outlets and is the first major breakthrough in laser technology in two decades. Powered by a long slim internal fiber with thulium ions in its core, the fiber is activated by light from LEDs, which results in reduced power and maintenance requirements. And, by combining lower energy levels with higher frequencies the laser is able to increase capabilities in breaking and dusting stones in less than half the time. With the precision of Soltive, enlarged prostate procedures can be done with ease in an outpatient setting, getting a person back to their normal life as quickly as possible.
“These lasers provide us the latest technology for prostate surgery and work extremely fast to break up kidney stones or to open up an enlarged prostate,” says Carson Tahoe Urology Doctor, Roland Chen. “The specificity of the lasers results in rapid fragmentation with quicker surgery time, little bleeding, and ultimately better outcomes for our patients. Especially when patients are sensitive to anesthesia, it’s always better to do surgeries as quickly and safely as possible. Plus, this means less time spent in the hospital … which I’m sure everyone loves.”
Although these lasers are already being utilized at Carson Tahoe, we are eager to continually update our technology so that our community has access to the best care. As a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), we depend on gracious donations to enhance community health & wellness. To learn more about giving to Carson Tahoe Health, visit CarsonTahoe.com/Give.
