endoscopic ultrasonic disintegration

Endoscopic ultrasonic disintegration is a medical procedure that uses ultrasound to break down kidney stones. This technique involves inserting a small rod through the skin to deliver ultrasound waves in the 22 to 30 kilohertz frequency range. The focused ultrasound energy causes cavitation, which helps to disintegrate the stones into smaller fragments that can then be passed out of the body. This method is a form of trackless surgery, meaning it does not require an incision from the skin to the affected area.1

Ultrasonics, in general, refers to vibrations with frequencies above the human hearing range (greater than 20 kilohertz). These high-frequency waves have various applications, including medical imaging, therapy, and materials testing. In medicine, ultrasound is nonionizing and can be used for diagnosis and treatment, such as breaking down kidney stones or localized heating of tumors.1