Application systems for intracorporeal laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy using the Nd:YAG Q-switched laser |
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Authors: | Frank F Eichenlaub M Hessel S Wondrazek F |
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Affiliation: | MBB-Medizintechnik GmbH, Munich, West Germany. |
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Abstract: | For laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy, the electromagnetic energy of a laser light pulse is converted intracorporeally into the acoustic energy of a shockwave. The lithotriptor is based on a specially developed, Q-switched Nd:YAG laser whose high power light pulses (70 mJ, 25 nsec) are coupled into a flexible quartz fiber with a core diameter of 600 mum. Using focusing elements, energy densities higher than 6 x 10 5 J m -2 can be achieved, resulting in an optical breakdown in water followed by a shockwave. As a result of different absorption mechanisms, the breakdown threshold can be decreased by placing a metallic target into the laser beam. The different shockwave formations of such optomechanical transducers have been measured. First clinical applications have been performed. |
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