Abstract: A method for determining variations among multiple three-dimensional stone images extracorporeally and a computer program product using the method are disclosed. The method involves during a lithotripsy process performed on a human body, multiple three-dimensional stone images taken from a stone location in the human body are processed outside the human body using the following steps: using a processing unit to execute a computing process for the multiple three-dimensional stone images one by one in an order from the first taken said image to the last taken said image, wherein the computing process involves using an entropy texture equation or an inverse difference moment (IDM) texture equation to calculate a texture feature value for each said three-dimensional stone image; and when the texture feature values calculated using the entropy texture equation or the inverse difference moment (IDM) texture equation substantively stop changing, making the processing unit output a prompt signal.

Abstract: An electrohydraulic shock wave-generating system for extracorporeal therapy of renal stones or musculoskeletal disorders includes a shock wave generator, a micro high-sensitivity camera, and a gap-controlling unit. The shock wave generator includes a truncated ellipsoidal bowl and two electrodes, each electrode having a portion inside the bowl, with a gap being defined between the electrodes. The micro high-sensitivity camera acquires an image of the electrodes for finding a size of the gap. The gap-controlling unit controls the size of the gap and moves at least one of the electrodes to adjust the size of the gap. A medical treatment for fragmenting stones or for curing musculoskeletal disorders can be carried out without increasing the operational voltage applied to the electrodes under gap control provided by the system. The system also includes a computer control unit to provide automatic control of the gap.

Abstract: A tracking system for stone treatment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy includes a data processing unit, a motion controller, a servo-moving platform, a stone image-processing module, a stone localization module, and a moving-mechanism control module. With the use of the stone-tracking system, the performance of an extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor can be greatly improved, resulting in less side effect such as tissue damage.

Abstract: A tracking system for stone treatment by extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy includes a data processing unit, a motion controller, a servo-moving platform, a stone image-processing module, a stone localization module, and a moving-mechanism control module. With the use of the stone-tracking system, the performance of an extracorporeal shock wave lithotriptor can be greatly improved, resulting in less side effect such as tissue damage.