title: In vitro assessment of a novel spearheaded pneumatic intracorporeal lithotriptor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intracorporeal lithotripsy is an important modality used for stone pulverization. To improve the pulverization properties of intracorporeal lithotriptors, a novel intracorporeal "spearheaded lithotriptor" was designed by our institute. It was compared in vitro with the conventional lithotriptor.
  
  
  METHODS
  The pulverization and propulsion dynamics were evaluated at various pressure settings on an in vitro bench arrangement with phantom stones. Lateral displacement during pulverization was also compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The spearheaded lithotriptor had a better first hit (P<0.001) and follow-up hit dynamics (P<0.01). Stone propulsion and lateral displacement were low for the spearheaded lithotriptor at all pressure settings (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The spearheaded lithotriptor improved stone pulverization without increasing the risk of stone migration. Further clinical evaluation of this novel probe is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Urology, Dhule, India. instituteofurology@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rawandale-Patil
authors.forename: Atul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mulay
authors.forename: Chandrahas
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kurane
authors.forename: Lokesh G
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Patni
authors.forename: Nandkishor
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sude
authors.forename: Preeti
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patil
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011312:Pressure; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000601:surgery