Abstract :
Lithotripsy in its various forms has revolutionalized the treatment of kidney and ureter stones. In extracorporeal lithotrips, pulsed acoustic shock waves are generated outside the body and focused via a coupling medium to the concrement. The location of the focus is controlled by fluoroscopy of ultrasound imaging. Starting from simplified models, two methods for generating shock wave pulses are described: (a) point-like supersonic emitters; and (b) two-dimensional emitters of finite amplitude waves. The principles and performance of a spark-gap emitter with a focusing ellipsoid, an electromagnetic acoustic source with a focusing lens, and a spherical concave piezoceramic source are described and discussed. Commercial lithotripter systems and their components for coupling, imaging, patient handling, and triggering are described and their performance is discussed
Keywords :
bioacoustics; biomedical equipment; kidney; radiation therapy; shock waves; 2D emitters; electromagnetic acoustic source; extracorporeal lithotrips; finite amplitude waves; focusing ellipsoid; focusing lens; kidney stones; lithotripter systems; medical treatment; point-like supersonic emitters; pulsed acoustic shock waves; shock wave pulse generation; spark-gap emitter; spherical concave piezoceramic source; ureter stones; Acoustic emission; Acoustic imaging; Acoustic pulses; Acoustic waves; Focusing; Lithotripsy; Pulse generation; Shock waves; Spark gaps; Ultrasonic imaging;
