The mechanical properties of kidney stones subjected to pulsed laser irradiation

The present study examines the mechanical properties of kidney stones subjected to laser irradiation. Thermal and stress analysis due to laser irradiation was carried out theoretically while the accuracy of the theoretical results was checked by the experiment. In the experiment a Nd-YAG laser was used to irradiate the target. The experiment was performed with a glass slide placed on the surface of the target. This arrangement produces a shock wave (high amplitude pressure wave) on the surface during the laser pulse. From the compression test results, it was found that the stress developed due to the temperature gradient, during a single pulse, was not sufficient to crack the kidney stones. However, the yield stress is reduced by a factor of three.