EAU 2018: An Experimental Study Of A Solid Conductive Medium For Reducing Trapped Air Pockets During Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy
In this study, four stone disintegration tests were performed, to compared the disintegration rates of each one. Three of the tests involved icPad conductive medium at 4mm, 8mm, and 4mm and energy level of 2, 2, and 1, respectively. The last test was used as a control with Sonogel as its medium and set at energy level 2. After application of shockwave to model stones held in testing baskets, the fragments were weight differentiated through use of a standard sieve.
As a result, icPad exemplified a significantly higher disintegration rate after 200 shocks in all three tests in comparison to Sonogel. icPad used at the same energy level also expressed a lower number of shocks required for the total disintegration of stones, rendering it the first evidence-base study showing the minimization of trapped air pockets during ESWL.
In conclusion, Dr. Chen reiterated the advantages of icPad, including reduced air pockets formation, avoided potential cross contamination by blood or fluid from the skin in between ESWL treatments, and the number of shockwave hits and energy level may be reduced du to icPad’s superior efficacy.
Speaker: Dr. Chen
Authors: Chen W., Liou W., Yang Y., Cheng K., Lin Y.
Written by: Whitney Zhang, Department of Urology, University of California-Irvine, at the 2018 European Association of Urology Meeting EAU18, 16-20 March, 2018 Copenhagen, Denmark