New Sparker for Improved Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy

说明(申请人提供)：冲击波碎石术(SWL)是治疗肾结石的首选方法。最初，标准的碎石机使用火花电极产生电击，但由于电击不一致，会造成痛苦的副作用，而且在手术过程中必须更换电极，因此使用减少了。新型碎石机的一致性更强，持续时间更长，但临床效果不佳，副作用更大。这项研究的目的是证明一种新型火花电极的可行性，这种电极可以产生持续的电击，可以减少副作用，并可以持续许多程序。长期目标是开发一种新的商业SWL，减少副作用，延长寿命。这项工作将采用一种创新的方法和设计算法用于海军应用的火花电极。该算法是为高能冲击开发的，将缩小SWL的规模。使用这种新方法开发的电极进行的实验测量将与现有的碎石机进行比较，以证明改进。一项成功的计划将为SWL带来一种新的商业系统，解决现有系统的问题，以较低的成本改善临床结果。公共卫生也可能受益于其他医疗应用，包括治疗骨骼、治疗肌腱炎和肿瘤治疗。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) is the treatment of choice for kidney stones. Originally the standard lithotripter generated the shock with a sparker electrode, but their use has declined because the shocks are inconsistent, cause painful side effects and the electrode must be replaced during the procedure. New types of lithotripters are more consistent and last longer, but the clinical outcomes are not as good and side effects are greater. The goal of this research is to demonstrate the feasibility of a new type of spark electrode that produces consistent shocks, can reduce side effects and last for many procedures. The long-term goal is to develop a new commercial SWL, with reduced side effects and much longer life. The work will employ an innovative methodology and design algorithm for sparker electrodes used in Navy applications. The algorithm, developed for high energy shocks, will be scaled down for SWL. Experimental measurements using electrodes developed with this new methodology will be compared to an existing lithotripter to demonstrate improvements. A successful program will lead to a new commercial system for SWL that resolves the issues with current systems, resulting in improved clinical outcomes at lower cost. Public health may also benefit from use in additional medical applications, including healing bones, treatment of tendonitis and tumor therapy.