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Press Release
STORZ MEDICAL offers new flexibility in
ESWL and ESWT
Thema: The new MODULITH SLK extends the product range of the STORZ
MEDICAL lithotripters to unknownflexibility, handiness and economic
efficiency
 Up to now, shock wave systems could be divided into two classes. The first
consisted of the well-known lithotripsy machines: devices which apply high energy shock
waves to kidney, ureter, gall bladder or other organs to destroy stones. The other - newer
- group consisted of comparatively smaller machines to be used in orthopedics and
rheumatology for the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) of tendopathies, e.g. heel
spurs or tennis elbows, long bone nun-unions following fractures and other diseases
"Lithotripsy machines lacked in flexibility, smaller shock wave devices were not able
to cover the whole range of applications." explains Dr. O. Wess,
marketing director of STORZ MEDICAL. "We listened to the wishes of
doctors and noticed their problems and constraints in daily routine." That is the
reason why STORZ MEDICAL developed the new MODULITH SLK.
At the MEDICA '98 in Düsseldorf it will be presented to the public as the one and only
uncompromising device to combine orthopedic shock wave therapy with extracorporeal
lithotripsy. Beside the extended range of applications in urology, orthopedics and ENT it
is equipped with the STORZ cylindrical source for efficient and gentle
treatment. The in-line ultrasound localization allows highly accurate diagnosis and
continuous therapy supervision without exposure to radiation. Optional X-ray localization
together with the STORZ Lithotrack positioning system extends the
spectrum of indications even further.
The use of extracorporeal shock waves for lithotripsy has certain specific demands.
High energy is needed at the location of the stone. It produces pressures up to 500 times
the normal atmospheric pressure in the focus of the shock wave. To reach the regions of
interest the shock wave has to travel a certain distance through the body. Shock wave
sources have to be able to obtain appropriate penetration depths.
The high energy has to be transported from outside the body into the patient. To avoid
causing injuries or pain at this passage the source should be equipped with a coupling
cushion which is as extensive as possible. These requirements lead to comparatively huge,
powerful shock wave sources. Unfortunately, the demands for shock wave devices in
orthopedics or rheumatology are different.
For the extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) the therapy head has to be small because
the shock wave targets are now placed underneath complex shaped parts of limbs or in
proximity to neck and face. It has to be handy because often the therapy head has to be
guided by hand continuously. The target areas are frequently close to the skin so a high
penetration depth is of secondary importance. And the energies used are often not as high
as in lithotripsy.
So in recent years a class of shock wave devices were developed to suit the requirements
of ESWT.
Up to now, a hospital or a physician had to decide whether he wanted a urology machine or
an orthopedic device. And he had to live with all the consequences of this decision.
Now the MODULITH SLK detaches the shock wave therapy from its mechanical
ties and makes this kind of decisions superfluous. With it's new medium sized therapy head
it is able to provide high shock wave energies coupled into the patient over a
sufficiently large coupling area. And through the cardanic suspension of the shock wave
source on an arm which is freely moveable in all three directions in space it offers a
flexibility to meet all requirements of orthopedists and ENT physicians.
The therapy head is equipped with the STORZ cylindrical shock wave source
which is well known for its ability for efficient and nevertheless gentle treatment.
Moreover, this construction principle allows to make use of the in-line concept for
ultrasound target localization which provides highly accurate diagnosis and continuous
supervision of the therapy without exposure to radiation. In combination with the
unrestricted mobility even the keyhole effect that scared so many physicians off using
ultrasound for localization loses its horror.
Almost like a hand-held diagnostic transducer the therapy head of the MODULITH SLK
can be adjusted to the proper viewing window (the keyhole). And - the big systematic
advantage of the in-line concept - a proper ultrasound image guarantees correct aiming and
efficient fragmentation.
"All right, not all stones are visible through ultrasound", explained Dr.
Wess, "but if ultrasound is not your first choice a mobile C-arc can be
integrated to carry out X-ray localization." And here the new STORZ
Lithotrack system comes into play. This intelligent positioning system determines
the position of the therapy head relatively to the C-arc. It evaluates two stereoscopic
images of small infrared light emitters fixed to the therapy head. Thereby it guarantees
that X-ray aiming and shock wave treatment refer to the same point in space.
With the MODULITH SLK a new stage of cost effectiveness can be obtained:
The use of already existing medical devices like the X-ray unit, the possibility of
interdisciplinary use and
the low running costs (no electrode changes needed) make up to a solution which is easy on
the budget.
Thus, the MODULITH SLK is well placed in the product range of STORZ
MEDICAL. Between the MODULITH SLX, the familiar urological
workstation and the MINILITH SL1, constructed for orthopedic and ENT use
the MODULITH SLK seems to be a suitable completion that certainly will find its way into
today's challenging market.
Contact:
STORZ MEDICAL AG
Unterseestr. 47
CH-8280 Kreuzlingen
Tel: +41-(0)71-6774545
Fax: +41-(0)71-6774505
eMail: info@storzmedical.com
Internet: http://www.storzmedical.com
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