Love, Scarborough: SHN Foundation's campaign for local health care
SHN Foundation's Love, Scarborough campaign raises money for new spaces, equipment and care at Scarborough Health Network. Here is what it supports.
Announcement
A new, more powerful laser for kidney stones at SHN Centenary
Today was a big day for stone care in Scarborough. Our new Clarion Magneto laser was delivered to Scarborough Health Network's Centenary hospital, and our urologists used it to treat patients with kidney and ureter stones for the first time.
How laser treatment for stones works
Most stones that need treatment are removed with a procedure called ureteroscopy. While you are asleep, your urologist passes a thin scope up the urethra (the tube you urinate through), into the bladder, and up to the stone. A very thin laser fibre goes through the scope and breaks the stone apart. There are no cuts on the skin, and most people go home the same day.
The laser does the hard work. The Magneto is a high-power holmium laser, the kind of laser urologists use most often for stones, with newer technology built in.
What the Magneto laser does
- Turns stones into fine dust, quickly. Its extra power lets your urologist break stones down faster.
- Keeps the stone in place. With older lasers, each pulse can push the stone away, and the surgeon has to follow it. The Magneto is designed to cut down that movement, so the stone stays in view and treatment keeps going.
- Handles hard stones. Some stones are very hard and slow to break. This laser is built to work well on them.
- Dust or small pieces, by choice. Your urologist can set the laser to make fine dust that washes out in your urine, or small pieces that are easy to remove.
- Bigger stones in one visit. Because it works faster, larger stones can often be treated in a single procedure. That can mean fewer people need a second operation to finish the job.
What it means for you
If you need ureteroscopy for a stone, the steps are the same as before. You will likely have a stent (a soft, thin tube from the kidney to the bladder) for a short time afterwards, and most people go back to desk work in 2 to 3 days. You can read more on our kidney stones page and in our patient guide on ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy.
Helping bring new technology to Scarborough
People in Scarborough deserve modern care close to home. Gifts to SHN Foundation help bring new equipment, new spaces and better care to Scarborough's hospitals. To support local health care, visit the Foundation's Love, Scarborough campaign. If someone at SHN cared for you, you can thank them with a gift in their honour through With Gratitude.
Your support makes a real difference to the care your neighbours receive.
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