Fundamentals for the development of a lithotripter of the new generation. A survey of the principle knowledge and skills contributing to the progress in lithotripter efficiency for a wide scale of application.

An improved shock wave source is required for the extended application of extracorporeal lithotripsy in proven and anticipated novel fields of therapy. Fundamental research was performed in the domains: disintegration efficiency; hydrophone stability; absolute calibration, and source optimization. The combined experiences resulted in the development of a new shock wave source, the Siemens Electromagnetic Acoustic Source (EMAS-C), with considerably improved performance. The compact EMAS-C provides shock wave foci varying over a broad energy range, dedicated to efficient concrement disintegration and to new fields of application in medical therapy.