Lithotripter systems
Article Abstract:
Extracorporeal lithotripsy, the destruction of kidney and ureter stones through focused acoustic shock waves generated externally, has become the dominant form of clinical treatment for the problem. A lithotripter system consists of: the focus shock wave source, a medium for acoustic coupling of the shock wave to the body, X-ray fluoroscopic or ultrasound B-scan systems for imaging of the target location, the patient table, physiological monitoring devices, and control system and trigger. The shock wave sources are of two types: spark-gap supersonic emitters with elliptic reflectors to focus the shock wave and finite amplitude wave emitters. The latter may be either an electromagnetic acoustic emitter with a focusing lens or a spherical concave piezoceramic emitter. The success of extracorporeal lithotripsy in the urinary tract is driving research and development in biliary system applications.
Publication Name: Proceedings of the IEEE
Subject: Electronics
ISSN: 0018-9219
Year: 1988
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Biomedical sensors in interventional systems: present problems and future strategies
Article Abstract:
Biomedical sensors, the immediate interface between a biological system--such as a patient--and medical instrumentation, constitute a major area of research and development in biomedical engineering. Current problems in biomedical sensor engineering include: optimization of sensor functioning for particular applications; assessing the impacts of size, shape, and mass on the subject organism; packaging for biocompatibility while still being able to pick up required data; power supply; high costs; the need for sensing multiple variables; and the demand for improved signal processing. Developments in biomedical sensors include: planar polarography, optoelectronic sensors, three-dimensional micromachining of sensors, and the advent of cyclic voltametry. Details of current problems and evolving biomedical sensor technologies are described.
Publication Name: Proceedings of the IEEE
Subject: Electronics
ISSN: 0018-9219
Year: 1988
User Contributions:
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