[Laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy--in vitro trial and animal experiment studies].

Laser induced shock wave lithotripsy is a new procedure to destroy gallstones. Stones of up to 500 mg are destroyed within 5 min. Severe reactions of the soft tissue cannot be observed in animal studies. No perforations, stenoses or thermic lesions after wound healing were observed. The development of an optomechanical transducer replacing the optical lens system at the end of the transmission guide allows its handling in flexible endoscopes. Clinical use is therefore possible from the technical aspect.