lithotripsy

American  

[lith-uh-trip-see] / ˈlɪθ əˌtrɪp si /

noun

plural

lithotripsies

1. the pulverization and removal of urinary calculi using a lithotripter.

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lithotripsy British  

/ ˈlɪθəʊˌtrɪpsɪ /

noun

1. the use of ultrasound, often generated by a lithotripter, to pulverize kidney stones and gallstones in situ

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lithotripsy Scientific  

/ lĭth′ə-trĭp′sē /

1. The procedure of crushing a stone in the urinary bladder or urethra by means of a lithotriptor, a device that passes shock waves through a water-filled tub in which the patient sits. The resulting stone fragments are small enough to be expelled in the urine.

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Etymology

Origin of lithotripsy

1825–35; litho- + Greek trîps ( is ) rubbing, wear + -y ³; lithotripter

Example Sentences

Higher-strength waves or pulses are also used in lithotripsy, a common medical procedure to break up kidney stones.

From BBC

Founded in 2009, Shockwave focuses on intravascular lithotripsy technology that uses sonic pressure waves to crack calcium lesions in arteries and restore blood flow.

From Seattle Times

Lithotripsy — using ultrasound to break up kidney stones — is a good thing, whether or not those stones could have been avoided by drinking eight glasses of water a day.

From Washington Post

But a third measured 64.6 mm, a size that would rarely pass without treatment — the administration of ultrasound shock waves, called lithotripsy, designed to break up the deposit and allow it to pass.

From Seattle Times

Kidney-stone sufferers who have had their deposits broken up by lithotripsy might also consider a roller-coaster ride to finish the job, they said.

From Seattle Times