Presented by: Alba Sierra MD, FEBU
Hospital Clinic

Introduction

Thulium Fiber Laser technology has made a remarkable entry among the treatment of urological diseases, with much expectation from outstanding premarket data. However, as shown through variableproposals from users, reaching most efficient settings may remain challenging, specifically for beginners. To manage a good compromise between efficacy and safety, engineers and experts have developed specific graphical user interface (GUI) with embedded pre-settings. The aim of the study was to test the easiness of use of the Coloplast TFL Drive GUI in different urological area. For stone treatment, this interface allows targeting the type of stone, its location, the expected laser effect and proposes a range of settings to manage both efficacy and safety.

Materials

 5 seniors and 4 junior (<80 URS/year) urologist surgeons were asked to perform a multiple-step scenario on lithiasis treatment by using the pre-settings of the Coloplast TFL Drive and then repeat the scenario under the free mode. The same protocol was then followed with another multiple-step scenario on BPH treatment. The number of clicks and time needed to reach the targeted steps were recorded for each scenario, mode, and participant. At the end, a questionnaire on the perception of the interface and scrolling pedal management was completed by each participant.

Results

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In total, the number of clicks in pre-settings mode is decreased by 61% (lithiasis scenario; p=0.002) or 71% (BPH; p=0.001) compared to free mode. As expected, the time necessary to perform the scenario in pre-settings mode is decreased by 75% (lithiasis scenario; p=0.004) or 71% (BPH; p=0.001) compared to the free mode. 100% of participants evaluate the GUI as intuitive and easy to use. In terms of learning curve, 55% of surgeons were able to manage the interface as quickly as a trained user on the first attempt. The right pedal aimed to scroll from a laser effect to another onewas as well considered as easy or very easy to use. 66% of participants think that pre-settings will increase their efficacy and 89% would use the pre-settings regularly (for 50 to 100% of their patients). 88% of the users feel more confident with the pre-settings. No differences between senior and junior were shown.

Conclusion

A Graphical user interface with pre-settingsreduces the time to set-up the parameters of the laser. Coloplast TFL Drive GUI is intuitive in its use, easy to navigate, allowing quick selection of right parameters. It inspires confidence regarding safety and expectation of increased efficacy compared to laser with no pre-settingsmode.

Funding

None