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Laser Lithotripsy Physics

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Urolithiasis

Abstract

Lasers can be used as intracorporeal lithotriptors for urinary calculi. Laser lithotripsy generally involves one of two mechanisms: photoacoustic or photothermal lithotripsy. Photoacoustic lithotripsy produces large fragments but has difficulty in fragmenting ­calcium oxalate monohydrate, cystine, and brushite stones. Photothermal lithotripsy produces small fragments and is effective in fragmenting all stone compositions. Photothermal lithotripsy, such was with the holmium:YAG laser, tends to be slow compared to photoacoustic lithotripsy. The physics of photothermal lithotripsy is reviewed with the objective to enhance fragmentation efficiency and minimization of retropulsion.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, 1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada

    Joel M. H. Teichman M.D.

  2. Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Jinze Qiu M.A. & Thomas E. Milner Ph.D.

  3. American Medical Systems, Minnetonka, MN, USA

    Wook Kang

  4. VP Engineering, Dermira Inc, 2055 Woodside Road Ste 270, Redwood City, CA, 94061, USA

    Kin Foong Chan Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Joel M. H. Teichman M.D.
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  2. Jinze Qiu M.A.
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  3. Wook Kang
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  4. Kin Foong Chan Ph.D.
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  5. Thomas E. Milner Ph.D.
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Joel M. H. Teichman M.D. or Kin Foong Chan Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgery Section of Urology, Aga Khan University, Stadium Road, P.O. Box 3500, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan

    Jamsheer J. Talati

  2. Karolinska Institutet, Solnavägen 1, Solna, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden

    Hans-Goran Tiselius

  3. , Syracuse University, Crouse Hospital, 1226 East Water Street, New York, 13210, New York, USA

    David M. Albala

  4. , Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, 1095 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430030, China, People's Republic

    ZHANGQUN YE

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Teichman, J.M.H., Qiu, J., Kang, W., Chan, K.F., Milner, T.E. (2012). Laser Lithotripsy Physics. In: Talati, J., Tiselius, HG., Albala, D., YE, Z. (eds) Urolithiasis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4387-1_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4387-1_39

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