title: The physics of liquid impact, shock wave interactions with cavities, and the implications to shock wave lithotripsy.
abstract: This paper reviews research on the physics of liquid impact and the behaviour of cavities when a shock passes over them. It is shown that the problems are related since when a cavity collapses near a solid surface, or is collapsed by a shock wave, the collapse is asymmetric and a liquid jet is produced which can impact an adjacent solid. The implications of this research to shock wave lithotripsy are emphasized. Finally, the paper describes the development of a device, based on liquid jet impact, for fragmenting kidney stones.
authors.affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Field
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D013677:Medical Laboratory Science