Overview
- Engineers and clinicians at the University of Chicago and Duke report the approach in Advanced Science, detailing a saline infused with conducting‑polymer nanoparticles.
- On lab‑grown stones, ablation efficiency rose 38–727% during spot treatment and 26–75% during scanning compared with standard saline.
- The nanoparticles were selected to absorb around 2,000 nm—the Ho:YAG wavelength—reducing energy loss in irrigation fluid and concentrating heat on the stone surface.
- Short in vitro exposure assays up to 24 hours indicated the selected formulation was non‑toxic, and the team says improved energy use could shorten typical 30‑minute procedures, potentially easing heat‑related risks.
- The work remains preclinical and was tested with Ho:YAG and synthetic stones; the next steps are trials with other lithotripsy lasers and with real patient stones before any clinical evaluation.