Development of a New Sparker Electrode for Improved Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

描述（由申请人提供）：冲击波碎石（SWL）是一种非侵入性治疗肾结石和其他疾病的方法。然而，目前的碎石机产生痛苦的副作用，而碎石机的机制和副作用的原因尚不完全清楚。使用水下火花作为冲击波源的电液碎石机（EHL’s）一直是首选的治疗方法，但由于冲击波不稳定，会引起痛苦的副作用，而且电极寿命短，使用数量已经减少。通常，电极头在手术过程中磨损，必须在完成手术前更换。新型碎石机比一次手术更稳定，持续时间更长，但其临床效果降低，副作用更大。第一阶段显示了使用导线激发火花产生一致和精确冲击的可行性，控制冲击的可行性（为了潜在地改善肾结石的粉碎和减少副作用），以及对许多程序的持久性。拟议的II期研究将继续朝着开发一种新的商用EHL的长期目标进行，该EHL的副作用更少，寿命更长，成本更低，超过了碎石机的临床效果。具体的项目目标是开发一种用于EHL的线源火花所需的送丝系统，使用线源火花演示超长寿命，绘制出焦点区域的冲击和空化声场，利用火花的各种冲击波波形进行研究，以改善肾结石的粉碎，并开发一个用于商业化的线源火花原型。一个成功的项目将以较低的成本改善SWL的临床效果。冲击波碎石（SWL）是一种治疗肾结石和其他疾病的非侵入性方法。当前系统中的电极必须在手术过程中更换，结果不一致，并且有令人不快的副作用。一个成功的项目将产生新的SWL系统，该系统的电极可以持续几次手术，更一致的临床结果，更少的副作用和更低的成本。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a non-invasive treatment for kidney stones and other ailments. However, current lithotripters produce painful side effects, and the mechanisms of lithotripsy and the causes of the side effects are not fully understood. Electrohydraulic lithotripters (EHL's), which use an underwater spark as a shock wave source, had been the treatment of choice but use has declined because the shocks are inconsistent, cause painful side effects and the electrodes are short lived. Typically, the electrode head wears out during a procedure, and must be replaced before completing the procedure. New types of lithotripters are more consistent and last longer than one procedure, but their clinical outcomes are reduced and side effects are greater. Phase I showed the feasibility of using a wire-initiated sparker to produce consistent and precise shocks, of controlling the shock (for potential improved comminution of kidney stones and reduction in side effects), of lasting for many procedures. The proposed Phase II continues research towards the long-term goal to develop a new commercial EHL that exceeds the clinical outcomes of lithotripters, with reduced side effects, much longer life and lower cost. The specific project objectives are to develop a wire feed system needed to employ wire- initiated sparkers for EHL, demonstrate ultra-long lifetime using the wire-feed, map out the acoustic field of the shock and cavitation in the focal region, conduct research using the sparker's varied shock waveforms to improve comminution of kidney stones and develop a prototype wire-feed sparker for commercialization. A successful project will result in improved clinical results of SWL at reduced cost. Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is a non-invasive treatment for kidney stones and other ailments. The electrodes in current systems must be replaced during a procedure, and the results are inconsistent, with unpleasant side effects. A successful program will result in a new SWL system with electrodes lasting several procedures, more consistent clinical outcomes, reduced side effects and lower cost.