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[Disintegration of kidney calculi by piezoelectrically generated high-energy sound waves. Physical principles and
Der Urologe. Ausg. A
|July 1, 1986
Abstract:
The recently developed equipment for extracorporeal piezoelectric lithotripsy (EPL) represents an improvement concerning the shock-wave-induced disintegration of urinary calculi. While the usual spark gap transmitter needs a focusing reflector, the piezoelectric lithotriptor is based on a self-focusing spherical bowl transmitter. The stone is detected exclusively by ultrasound. For this purpose, an integrated sector scanner is used as well as the high-energy sound transmitter itself. With the piezoelectrically generated high-energy sound pulses we have succeeded in completely disintegrating implanted stones in the renal pelvis of dogs without injuring the morphology or function of the exposed kidneys.