[Physics and technology of lithotripsy using extra- and intracorporeal generated shock waves]

After a quantitative analysis of the number of patients with renal and biliary concrements in the GDR (1985: 17,000 and 67,000 hospitalizations) the principles of lithotripsy with extracorporally and intracorporally generated shock waves are described. The various principles of industrially manufactured devices (electric discharge, electromagnetic, piezoelectric, laser induced) are described including the associated methods for location of the concrements. Lithotripsy with extracorporally generated shock waves (ESWL) has replaced surgical removal of renal and urethral concrements and is increasingly used for biliary and pancreatic concrements. Intracorporally generated shock waves (often laser-induced and therefore cheaper than ESWL) are used less frequently, but can replace surgery for salivary concrements.