Endourology Overview

Since the first stone removal procedure, surgeons have faced the challenges posed by navigation through delicate urological anatomy while safely and efficiently resolving a variety of clinical problems. As technology and knowledge have advanced, patients have become more informed about their options—and better tools have enabled safer, less invasive surgical solutions.

Bard’s Endourology business focuses on products to aid the urologist in surgically resolving conditions and diseases of the urinary tract. These include, but are not limited to, gaining access to the urinary tract; dilating urinary strictures; removing kidney stones; resection of the prostate; and providing temporary drainage. These products are used in cystoscopic, ureteroscopic, and nephroscopic procedures. Some examples are:

For Urethra and Bladder Management, we offer a full line of products that can be used with or without a cystoscope. These include urethral dilation products, such as filiforms and followers, as well as metal sounds. We also offer Bladder Access products such as Supra-pubic procedural trays.

For Stone Management, we offer a complete line of innovative products that are typically used in conjunction with an ureteroscope. These include:

• Access Products— In addition to a full line of guidewires, we offer the AquaGuide™ access sheath—a proprietary dual lumen sheath that provides continuous access, along with an additional channel for procedural flexibility.
• Ureteral Catheters— We offer a full range of both woven and polyurethane ureteral catheters in a variety of lengths, French sizes, and tip configurations.
• Ureteral Balloons— Our UroForce® ureteral balloon dilator has the highest burst pressure on the market of 23atm.
• Stone Retrieval Devices— Our full line of baskets and graspers includes the Dimension™ stone basket/grasper made from Nitinol. It is the only basket on the market that articulates from side to side, acting as both grasper and basket.
• Ureteral Stents— Bard’s full range of stents includes the Bard® InLay Optima® ureteral stents, which offers long-term indwelling and the ability to reduce the accumulation of urine calcium salts.

For Percutaneous Renal Access and Surgery, we offer a variety of drainage products such as nephrostomy catheters, pezzars and malecots.

For Prostate Management, our product line includes various electrosurgical products for TURPs, such as cutting loops, rollerball electrodes, and Max-Blade™ electrodes.