Innovations in Lithotripsy Technology

The introduction of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) in the early 1980's revolutionized the surgical management for kidney stone disease. Since then, although numerous 2 and 3 r generation lithotripters have been developed using various means for shock wave generation, focusing, patient coupling and stone localization, the technical improvements in these devices were largely made based on practical concerns for user convenience and multifunctionality of the system rather than a clear understanding of the working principles of SWL. In this paper, the fundamental mechanisms of stone comminution and tissue injury in SWL revealed by basic studies in the past two decades are first reviewed. This is followed by a summary of the innovations in SWL technology developed in recent years that have been demonstrated to provide improved stone comminution with concomitantly reduced tissue injury both in vitro using phantom systems and in vivo in animal models. Furthermore, the role of treatment strategy in determining the overall outcome of clinical lithotripsy is emphasized, and future prospects for lithotripsy research and technological innovations are discussed.