The sound of success

Doctors can now tell by listening whether or not they have successfully broken down kidney stones

A new device attached to the patient’s body, similar to a stethoscope, monitors the sounds generated by kidney stones during shock wave therapy (lithotripsy) to break them down sufficiently to allow the patient to pass the fragments in their urine.

An intact stone makes a “tick? while a shattered stone makes a “tock?

Professor Tim Leighton, who helped develop the device, commented, “It’s been superbly successful.

I have been astounded by how effective it is as a monitor.?/p>

FROM
BBC
1 November

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