Laser beam shattering a kidney stone

Cutting-Edge Kidney Stone Treatments: How New Tech Can Keep You Stone-Free

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Jordan Keane in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover the latest advancements in kidney stone treatment, from Moses laser technology to the innovative Matrioska technique, and learn how these methods are revolutionizing patient care."


Dealing with kidney stones can feel like a never-ending battle. The pain, the doctor visits, and the constant worry of recurrence can significantly impact your quality of life. But there's good news: medical technology is rapidly advancing, offering new and improved ways to tackle this common problem.

Gone are the days of relying solely on traditional methods. Today, innovative techniques and technologies are emerging that promise more effective and less invasive solutions for kidney stone removal. This article will explore two of the most exciting advancements in the field: Moses laser technology and the Matrioska technique.

We'll break down these cutting-edge treatments in plain language, explaining how they work, who they benefit, and what you can expect. Whether you're currently battling kidney stones or simply want to stay informed about the latest options, this guide will provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about your health.

Moses Laser Technology: A New Era in Laser Lithotripsy

Laser beam shattering a kidney stone

Laser lithotripsy, which uses lasers to break up kidney stones, has been a game-changer in kidney stone treatment. Among different lasers, Holmium-YAG laser is commonly used. Now, Moses technology emerges as an advanced refinement of this method. Imagine a laser that's not just powerful, but also incredibly precise and efficient. That's the promise of Moses technology.

Developed as an advancement in holmium laser technology, the Moses technology uses a unique pulse-shape modulation. This means the laser pulse first separates the water and then delivers the remaining energy directly toward the stone. This approach offers several key advantages:

  • Increased Efficiency: By optimizing energy delivery, the Moses technology breaks up stones more effectively, potentially reducing the overall treatment time.
  • Reduced Retropulsion: Traditional laser lithotripsy can sometimes cause stones to move away from the laser, making them harder to target. Moses technology minimizes this "retropulsion," keeping the stone in place for more efficient fragmentation.
  • More Concise Incision: The Moses mode induces a different ablation pattern when compared to the regular mode, leading to a more concise and narrow incision.
  • Shorter Procedure Times: More efficient stone fragmentation and reduced retropulsion can lead to shorter, safer procedures and reduced stone re-treatment rates.
In essence, Moses technology is designed to deliver maximum energy to the stone while minimizing energy loss and unwanted movement. The Moses technology offers two settings, contact and distance modes, that can be chosen according to the clinical scenarios. These characteristics are optimized for maximum energy delivery at two different fiber-target distances. The first setting, Moses contact mode, is optimized for operation at a close distance (around 1 mm). The second setting, Moses distance mode, is optimized for lithotripsy at a distance around 2 mm. The two different settings could be chosen according to the clinical scenarios: the distance mode could be useful during a lithotripsy with a stone from a distance due to anatomical restrictions or during the pop-corning technique.

The Future of Kidney Stone Treatment

The field of kidney stone treatment is constantly evolving, with new technologies and techniques emerging all the time. Moses laser technology and the Matrioska technique represent just two of the many exciting advancements that are improving patient outcomes and quality of life. As research continues and these methods are further refined, we can expect even more effective and less invasive solutions for managing kidney stones in the future.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/s1569-9056(18)33220-2, Alternate LINK

Title: Moses Technology: A New Weapon In Endourologists’ Hands For Optimization Of Laser Lithotripsy

Subject: Urology

Journal: European Urology Supplements

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: S. Proietti, M. Rodriguez Socarras, G. Saitta, G. Mantica, D. De Marchi, P. Bellinzoni, F. Gaboardi, G. Guido

Published: 2018-09-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is Moses laser technology and how does it improve kidney stone treatment?

Moses laser technology is a refinement of Holmium-YAG laser lithotripsy, which uses lasers to break up kidney stones. It employs a unique pulse-shape modulation that separates water and delivers energy directly to the stone. This increases efficiency, reduces retropulsion (stone movement), allows for more concise incisions, and potentially shortens procedure times compared to traditional methods.

2

What is the Matrioska technique, and how does it compare to Moses laser technology?

The Matrioska technique is not described in the article. The text focuses on Moses laser technology, which is an advancement in holmium laser technology. It optimizes energy delivery to break up stones efficiently, reducing retropulsion and potentially shortening procedure times. Further research is needed to understand the specifics of the Matrioska technique and how it compares to Moses laser technology.

3

What are the different settings available with Moses laser technology, and when would each be used?

Moses laser technology offers two settings: contact and distance modes. The Moses contact mode is optimized for operation at a close distance (around 1 mm), while the Moses distance mode is optimized for lithotripsy at a distance around 2 mm. The choice between these settings depends on the clinical scenario, such as anatomical restrictions or the use of the pop-corning technique.

4

How does Moses laser technology address the issue of retropulsion in laser lithotripsy?

Traditional laser lithotripsy can cause stones to move away from the laser, a phenomenon known as retropulsion, making them harder to target. Moses technology minimizes this by optimizing energy delivery and keeping the stone in place for more efficient fragmentation. This is particularly important for achieving complete stone removal and reducing the need for re-treatment.

5

Considering the advancements like Moses laser technology, what does the future hold for kidney stone treatment?

While Moses laser technology represents a significant advancement, it's part of a constantly evolving field. Further refinements and new technologies are expected to emerge, potentially leading to even more effective, less invasive, and patient-specific solutions for managing kidney stones. Research and development in areas like imaging, laser precision, and personalized treatment plans will likely shape the future of kidney stone care.

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