Experimental investigation of neodymium-YAG laser induced shock waves for lithotripsy

Experiments on the endoscopic destruction of kidney stones by neodymium-YAG laser, either thermically or mechanically, are being carried out with various results. The thermal destruction is clinically not feasible, and the risk of damaging neighboring tissue is inevitable. The direct generation of shock waves with pulsed Q-switch systems seems to represent the only feasible endoscopic method subject to further development of suitable devices for clinical tests.