Physical mechanisms of laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy in the microsecond range of laser pulse durations

摘要

Abstract: Analysis of possible ways for organic minerals destruction by laser-induced shockwave is presented. Physical mechanisms describing lithotripsy with microsecond laser pulses are discussed. Theoretical considerations show that the most probable fragmentation mechanisms are connected with the existence of absorptive inclusions in the stone volume. We have shown that surface plasma flash may be considered as attendant phenomenon which does not necessarily play an important fragmentation role under our conditions of observation. !5