Lithotripter

Stabbing and shooting pains that accompany a major kidney stone attack can bring a person literally to their knees. 

Thankfully, lithotripsy has become one of the most effective approaches to alleviating the pain and suffering of those people affected. 

And each year, nearly 1800 people come to St. Joseph’s to receive this specialized treatment. 

But what exactly is Lithotripsy?

The word litho means stone, and tripsy means to crush. 

And that is exactly what the equipment does. Using shock waves, it is able to non-invasively disintegrate kidney stones. 

As an outpatient procedure, lithotripsy is a safe, fast and effective treatment that provides tremendous relief to patients. 

St. Joseph’s is a leader in the treatment of stone disease and one of the leading clinical research sites in the world for kidney stone care.  Home to the only lithotripter in London, and one of only three in Ontario, seven physicians from across the city perform more than 1,800 procedures annually.

From the very young to the most elderly and fragile – the patient population for whom lithotripsy is needed spans the spectrum.  

Like all equipment, the lithotripter has a defined lifespan. This is due to the frequency of its use, as well as the rapid pace with which advances to technology occur.  In order to continue to meet patient volumes and provide a full spectrum of minimally invasive urological care to our patients, we must replace the current machine by 2014.

You can make your gift in support of the new lithotripter. 
Click here to make your donation

St. Joseph's Lithotripter in the news

/A\ news, Health & Home, interviews Dr. Razvi and Dr. Cadieux to give us an inside look in the treatment of kidney stones using London's only lithotripter.

View the /A\ news segment: