Introduction

Abstract

During the last three decades, biomedical applications of shock waves have developed enormously. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy revolutionized the treatment of urolithiasis, and basic research generated new applications of shock waves in diverse areas of medicine and biotechnology. Today, extracorporeal shock wave therapy and radial pressure wave therapy are helpful in an increasing variety of indications in orthopedics and traumatology. The bactericidal effects of shock waves may have uses in medicine as well as in the industry, and shock wave-induced noninvasive drug and gene delivery has attracted significant interest. Moreover, shock wave-mediated genetic transformation of microorganisms could revolutionize many areas in biotechnology. As the understanding of the detailed phenomena involved in the interaction of shock waves with living organisms progresses, novel research areas will arise; however, the need for team work has increased the necessity for researchers to understand concepts belonging to areas that are different from their field of expertise. This book was written with the aim of widening the reader’s spectrum of knowledge regarding the uses of shock waves in medicine and biology, as well as to contribute to safer and more efficient treatments and encourage scientific research. Because the biomedical applications of shock waves encompass an extensive field, most readers will be experienced in certain areas and inexperienced in others.