Development of a New Sparker Electrode for Improved Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

描述(申请人提供)：冲击波碎石术(SWL)是一种治疗肾结石和其他疾病的非侵入性疗法。然而，目前的碎石机产生了痛苦的副作用，碎石术的机制和副作用的原因还不完全清楚。电液压碎石机(EHL‘s)使用水下火花作为冲击波来源，曾是治疗方法的选择，但由于冲击不一致、引起痛苦的副作用和电极寿命短，使用率下降。通常，电极头在操作过程中会磨损，必须在完成操作前更换。新类型的碎石机更一致，持续时间比一次更长，但它们的临床结果减少了，副作用更大。第一阶段显示了使用线控电火花产生一致而精确的电击、控制电击(潜在地改善肾结石粉碎和减少副作用)、持续许多程序的可行性。拟议的第二阶段继续研究，以实现开发一种新的商业EHL的长期目标，这种EHL超过碎石机的临床结果，副作用更少，寿命更长，成本更低。具体的项目目标是开发用于弹流润滑的引线火花所需的送丝系统，展示使用送丝的超长寿命，绘制焦点区域的冲击和空化的声场，利用火花的各种冲击波形进行研究，以改进肾结石的粉碎，并开发用于商业化的送丝火花的原型。一个成功的项目将以更低的成本改善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治疗方法。目前系统中的电极必须在操作过程中更换，结果不一致，有令人不快的副作用。一个成功的计划将导致一个新的SWL系统，电极持续几个程序，更一致的临床结果，减少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.