file.newsgroup.med.59383 Maven / Gradle / Ivy
From: [email protected] (Paul Johnson)
Subject: Re: HELP for Kidney Stones ..............
In article [email protected] (Mats Winberg) writes:
> Isn't there a relatively new treatment for kidney stones involving
> a non-invasive use of ultra-sound where the patient is lowered
> into some sort of liquid when he/she undergoes treatment? I'm sure
> I've read about it somewhere. If I remember it correctly it is a
> painless and effective treatment.
> A couple of weeks ago I visited a hospital here in Stockholm and
> saw big signs showing the way to the "Kidney stone chrusher" ...
I saw this a few years ago on "Tomorrow's World" (low-brow BBC
technology news program). The patient is lowered into a bath of
de-ionized water and carefully positioned. High intensity pressure
waves are generated by an electric spark in the water (you don't get
electrocuted because de-ionised water does not conduct). These waves are
focused on the kidneys by a parabolic reflector and cause the stone to
break up. This is completely painless.
Of course, you then have to get these little bits of gravel through
the urethra. Ouch!
Paul.
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