‘Curious Conversations’ podcast: Adam Maxwell talks about 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 has received FDA approval. Maxwell explained the most common current techniques used to treat kidney stones and their challenges, and he introduced the harmonic ultrasound technique he and his colleagues have pioneered and explained its potential benefits to patients and physicians.
“Curious Conversations” is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.
Takeaways
Current methods for treating kidney stones often require the calcifications to reach a certain size before medical interventions. This can leave patients anxiously waiting for stones to pass on their own.
The most common treatments include using an invasive laser or ultrasonic shockwaves directed through the skin to break apart the stones. Both procedures have challenges, including being known to be painful for patients.
Maxwell and his colleagues have harnessed harmonic ultrasound waves to maintain a certain frequency that will break apart kidney stones in a noninvasive procedure. He believes this will minimize patient discomfort, maintain a high success rate, and could be made available in a doctor’s office.
About
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.
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About the podcast
"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 Travis Williams, assistant director of marketing and communications for the Office of Research and Innovation, 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. New episodes are shared each Tuesday.
