New operating method for kidney and gallstone lithotripters

摘要

The invention relates to a completely new operating method and set-up compared with existing kidney and gallstone lithotripters. With an existing lithotripter, the stone is bombarded with shock-waves from one direction which yields extremely poor results, namely 2500 to 7000 shocks on one stone, and repeated treatment may be required. The cause of this performance is clear; the stone that is being treated is not restrained by the softer parts of the kidney or gall bladder and vibrates away with every shock. The invention overcomes these disadvantages completely. The stone is bombarded with shock-waves from two opposite directions. The shock-waves reach the stone simultaneously, preventing the stone from vibrating away so that the stone is pulverised between the two shock-waves, providing an optimal result many times superior to existing methods. The many major benefits are obvious and include the cost and time savings of lithotripsy treatment. In addition, the invention can reduce human suffering by reducing the number of surgical procedures needed. IMAGE