It wasn’t long after nitinol alloy had made its way into medical devices that engineers at Cook Medical began to look for ways to incorporate flexible, resilient nitinol wire into an extractor that could retain its preformed shape. Today, we have a wide offering of nitinol stone extractors for your kidney–, ureteral–, and bladder–stone procedures.
In 1998, we introduced the NCircle® Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor. Along with the distinction of being the first tipless stone extractor, the NCircle was the first basket to feature nitinol wire construction.1 That’s two game-changing innovations in one device. Almost overnight, the NCircle extractor became the gold standard for stone extraction.
Our nitinol extractor family has grown to include an occlusive umbrella, a multi-wire, net-like design, and a device that serves as both a basket and a grasper. In 2002, we introduced the Perc NCircle® Nitinol Stone Extractor—an option specifically designed for PCNL—and ultimately revolutionized percutaneous stone removal as well. We’ve since added two more Perc extractors to give you additional options for renal calculi.
- Monga M. Ureteroscopy: Indications, instrumentation & technique. New York: Humana Press; 2013:180.
Explore our nitinol extractor lineup.
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NCircle® Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor
This was the first extractor to be constructed of nitinol wire and to feature a truly tipless design.
NCircle® Delta Wire® Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor
The Delta Wire increases the radial force of the basket.
NCircle® Helical Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor
The helical design may aid in stone capture.
NCompass® Nitinol Stone Extractor
This extractor produces a netting effect to help you capture smaller fragments and could prevent stone migration.
NGage® Nitinol Stone Extractor
This extractor holds like a basket and releases like a grasper, giving you the ability to reposition and secure stones for extraction.
NTrap® Stone Entrapment and Extraction Device
This extractor is designed to minimize stone migration during laser, ultrasonic, electrohydraulic, or pneumatic lithotripsy.
NForce® Nitinol Helical Stone Extractor
The triangular shape of the wire allows increased radial force and greater radial dilation.
The Percs
Perc NCircle® Nitinol Tipless Stone Extractor
This was the first extractor that was specifically designed for PCNL to feature nitinol wire and a tipless configuration.
Perc NCompass® Nitinol Stone Extractor
This extractor was designed for PCNL. It produces a netting effect to help you capture smaller fragments and potentially prevent stone migration.
Perc NGage® Nitinol Stone Extractor
This extractor was designed for PCNL. You can use it to catch, reposition, and release stones as you would with graspers or use it as a basket to secure stones for extraction.