ULTRASOUND UNDERWATER TRANSDUCER FOR EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE LITHOTRIPSY (ESWL)

This paper presents an ultrasound piezoceramic transducer, centred into an extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor system. The electromagnetic acoustic source lithotriptor initiates the incident shock waves into the water, and the ultrasound transducer improves the caviational effects of the bubbles. The piezoelectric transducer is powered by a Function/Pulse Generator type IWATSU SG-4511, and converts the electrical signal mechanical vibrations, which are propagated into the water. The underwater waves, received by the PZT disc sensor, are converted electrical signals and displayed by an oscilloscope type LeCroy 9310 AM. The transducer exhibits low resonance frequency, tuneable energy, broad bandwidth, between 16 kHz to 36 kHz, and low quality factor, that means it is optimum for this application. The extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor system generates cavitation bubbles that have an essential role in the disintegration of renal calculi.