A new way to treat kidney stones?

Adam Maxwell joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about lithotripsy, a medical procedure to break apart kidney stones, and a new procedure for which his research team just received FDA approval. Maxwell explained the most common current techniques used to treat kidney stones and their challenges. He then introduced the harmonic ultrasound technique he and his colleagues have pioneered and explained its potential benefits to patients and physicians. 0:00 — Introduction to Lithotripsy 4:01 — Understanding Lithotripsy Techniques 6:27 — Challenges in Current Kidney Stone Treatments 9:21 — New FDA-Approved Treatment 11:48 — Patient Experience and Comfort 14:33 — The Future of Kidney Stone Treatment 17:03 — Expanding Access to Treatment 19:47 — Future Research and Applications Maxwell is a research associate professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. His research interests include the bioeffects of ultrasound, elastic waves in biomaterials, ultrasound and laser lithotripsy, and veterinary applications of ultrasounds. Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.