Robotic Kidney Stone Removal Introduced at Shaare Zedek Medical Center

Traditional lithotripsy required patients to lie in a water-filled bathtub while a shock-wave generator pulverized stones, often leaving fragments that could cause blockages. Modern devices replaced the bulky tank with targeted water cushions or gel pads, improving precision but still presenting limitations. The latest advancement, the ILY robot, employs an interactive wireless remote and a laser that contacts stones up to three centimeters wide without affecting surrounding tissue. Developed by the French company STERLAB with research partners, the system enables surgeons to operate from a comfortable, ergonomically optimized position while minimizing radiation exposure.

The Jerusalem Post

Early internal reports indicate an 85 % success rate for stone fragmentation using the ILY robot. Procedures last between 20 minutes and one-and-a-half hours, depending on stone size and location. Patients typically spend one night in the hospital and experience swift recovery. The unit anticipates treating 800–900 patients annually, with coverage provided by Israeli health funds. Kidney stones affect roughly 10 % of the global population; prevalence can rise to 20 % in hot climates such as the Middle East, and men are diagnosed about twice as often as women. Recent decades have seen increased diagnoses among adolescents and young adults, linked to higher body-mass index, genetic factors, and diabetes.

The Jerusalem Post

Dr. He noted that remote operation reduces the surgeon’s physical strain and radiation exposure, and that proficiency is achieved after roughly two procedures.

The Jerusalem Post

• “The combination of advanced control technology that is easily operated via a wireless remote control and our medical expertise allows us to perform complex surgeries with maximum safety, with maximum accuracy, and while maintaining the health of the team and the patient,” — Kafka. Instead

The Jerusalem Post