Increase of extracorporeal lithotripsy efficiency when using laser-induced pressure pulses

The results of experimental study on a focusing of laser-induced submicrosecond pressure pulses and destruction of solids subjected to them are presented. It was studied how the source distribution of pressure pulse amplitude influences upon the focusing in water. The means for the focusing improvement have been developed. The high focal pressure (similar to 40 MPa) localized in a small spatial region (similar to 10 x 1 mm) was achieved. The destruction of solids loaded by the trains of shock pulses was studied also. It has been found that much more effective disintegration takes place under a quasi-resonance loading. The results show that efficiency of extracorporeal lithotripsy may be significantly increased when using laser-induced submicrosecond pressure pulses.