Development of a New Sparker Electrode for Improved Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

描述（由申请人提供）：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治疗方法。然而，目前的碎石机产生疼痛的副作用，碎石的机制和副作用的原因还没有完全了解。使用水下火花作为冲击波源的电液碎石机（EHL）一直是治疗的选择，但由于冲击不一致，导致疼痛的副作用，并且电极寿命短，使用已经下降。通常，电极头在手术期间磨损，并且必须在完成手术之前更换。新型的碎石机更稳定，持续时间比一次手术更长，但它们的临床结果减少，副作用更大。第一阶段显示了使用导线引发的火花器产生一致和精确的电击、控制电击（用于潜在的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，以实现长期目标，开发一种新的商业EHL，超过碎石机的临床结果，减少副作用，更长的寿命和更低的成本。具体的项目目标是开发一个所需的线进给系统，以采用线引发火花弹，使用线进给展示超长寿命，绘制出在焦点区域的冲击和空化的声场，进行研究，使用火花的各种冲击波形，以改善粉碎肾结石和开发原型线进给火花商业化。一个成功的项目将导致在降低成本的SWL的临床效果改善。冲击波碎石术（SWL）是一种非侵入性治疗肾结石和其他疾病。当前系统中的电极必须在手术过程中更换，并且结果不一致，具有令人不快的副作用。一个成功的项目将导致一个新的SWL系统与电极持续几个程序，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.