An extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is the non-invasive, mechanical destruction of precipitates (e.g. gall bladder stones) though shock waves.The shock waves are generated through a generator and come as energy rich, short pulsed ultrasound waves. They are led into the body through an emitter on the skin. The generators to create these shock waves are usually integrated in the therapeutic unit (ESWL-unit). They allow localization of the concrement though X-ray of sonographic methods.
Source: Dr. Dirk Viehoever
