Medical and Biomedical Applications of Shock Waves This book provides current comprehensive and clear explanations of the physics behind medical and biomedical applications of shock waves. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is one of the greatest medical advances of our time and its techniques and clinical devices are continuously evolving. Further research continues to improve the understanding of calculi fragmentation and tissue damaging mechanisms. Shock waves are also used in orthopedics and traumatology. Possible applications in oncology cardiology dentistry gene therapy cell transfection transformation of fungi and bacteria as well as the inactivation of microorganisms are promising approaches for clinical treatment industrial applications and research. Medical and Biomedical Applications of Shock Waves is useful as a guide for students technicians and researchers working in universities and laboratories. Chemists biologists physicians and veterinarians involved in research or clinical practice will find useful advice but also engineers and physicists may benefit from the overview of current research endeavors and future directions. Furthermore it may also serve to direct manufacturers towards the design of more efficient and safer clinical industrial and laboratory equipment. Introduction Brief Historical Background Shock Waves as used in Biomedical Applications Shock Wave Interaction with Matter Shock Wave Lithotripsy Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Novel uses and Potential Applicatitions.