Australia's first thulium crystal laser delivers positive first-year results

In the first year since acquiring Australia’s first pulsed thulium crystal laser, surgeons at St John of God Murdoch Hospital have helped 233 patients with kidney stones, enlarged prostates and other urological conditions spend fewer minutes under anaesthesia, and be on the road to recovery sooner.

15 Oct 2024

St John of God Murdoch Hospital was the first health care facility in Australia to adopt THULIO™, a pulsed thulium high-power laser by Dornier MedTech.

The addition of THULIO™ has bolstered St John of God Murdoch Hospital’s already comprehensive urology capabilities.

St John of God Murdoch Hospital Head of Urology, Dr Jeff Thavaseelan has welcomed the additional procedural option. He says the positives of the thulium crystal laser technique have been two-fold, "This has certainly improved our theatre efficiency and more importantly, for the patient, has reduced the procedural time under anaesthesia.”

Globally, THULIO™ is fast becoming the laser system of choice for stones and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with installations growing rapidly worldwide since its launch in late 2022. St John of God Murdoch Hospital led the way in Australia with its inaugural installation on 7 August, 2023.

Enhancement of stone treatment capabilities

THULIO™ is a compact 100W surgical laser system that provides enhanced capabilities for all urology stone treatments, resulting in decreased procedure times and improved patient outcomes, whilst also providing capabilities for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH – non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate) treatments.

By integrating a Tm:YAG laser crystal with RealPulse® pulsed diode technology, Dornier has reimagined and revolutionised thulium crystal laser technology for peak performance and versatility.

THULIO™ can reduce lithotripsy and tissue ablation procedure times while minimising the risk of bleeding through improved coagulation, to support post-operative recovery times and enhance patient safety with minimal complications and collateral damage to surrounding tissue.

Adam Srejber, CEO of Australian medical device distributor Endotherapeutics said “Endotherapeutics is thrilled to introduce this cutting-edge urology laser technology to Australian urologists and health care facilities. THULIO’s unique ability to enhance patient outcomes and elevate clinical results in both BPH and kidney stones is a testament to Endotherapeutics' commitment to advancing healthcare through leading, innovative technologies.”

Endotherapeutics Business Manager Ashleigh Thomas said “The THULIO™ laser from Dornier MedTech is the first of its kind in Australia and represents the start of a new generation of urology lasers. We have seen a decrease in procedure times and improved patient outcomes. It provides flexibility and ease of use to the clinician, allowing them to perform the best standard of treatment for their patients.”