Nanoparticle solution helps lasers pulverize kidney stones with improved efficiency

During a procedure known as laser lithotripsy, urologists use a small, video-guided laser to blast painful, potentially damaging kidney stones to smithereens. It's better for the patient if urologists can break kidney stones down as finely as possible, ideally to a dust that can be safely suctioned out—but using more powerful lasers creates additional heat that can damage surrounding tissue and hurt the patient.