The department has many challenges as the next century approaches. Thanks to all of you who have helped us to earn this very excellent report. If you are interested in reading the entire text, please stop by the office to ask for a copy. It can be used as an example in technical math classes and in college algebra and calculus when conic sections are covered. See Lyn Keeler for an exercise set on ellipses based upon this article.
Kidney stones occur when calcium crystals build up inside the kidney.
They can cause severe pain when they leave the kidney and pass through the ureter to the bladder. A lithotripter is a medical device which is designed to treat kidney stones. Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy was first used in Germany in 1980 and in the U.S. since 1984. Waterborne shock waves are generated outside the body and are directed at the kidney stone. The shock waves are used to pulverize the stone into smaller pieces that can be easily excreted by the body.