Medical and Biomedical Applications of Shock Waves

This book provides current, comprehensive, and clear explanations of the physics behind medical and biomedical applications of shock waves. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is one of the greatest medical advances of our time, and its techniques and clinical devices are continuously evolving. Further research continues to improve the understanding of calculi fragmentation and tissue-damaging mechanisms. Shock waves are also used in orthopedics and traumatology. Possible applications in oncology, cardiology, dentistry, gene therapy, cell transfection, transformation of fungi and bacteria, as well as the inactivation of microorganisms are promising approaches for clinical treatment, industrial applications and research.

Achim Max Loske Mehling holds a B.Sc. degree in Physics Engineering, a M.Sc. degree in Physics, a Ph.D. in Applied Physics, received the “Gabino Barreda” medal granted by the University Council of the “Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico” (UNAM) and has been distinguished by the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (CONACYT) with the highest level (SNI 3). His master and doctoral thesis involved innovations in extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Prof. Loske is Head of the Shock Wave Laboratory at the Center of Applied Physics and Advanced Technology at UNAM and the lead researcher on several programs that combine basic research with technology focused on applications of shock waves to medicine and biomedicine, such as the design of more efficient shock wave sources, shock wave-mediated cell transfection, drug-delivery, genetic transformation of microorganisms, as well as the interaction of shock waves with matter and biological tissue. For more than 25 years, he has maintained a strong commitment to teaching in physics and mathematics.