Junqin Chen, PhD, post-doctoral scholar at Duke University in the lab of Dr. Pei Zhong, studies the mechanism of stone fragmentation in laser lithotripsy. Dr. Zhong is the PI of a prior CAIRIBU P20 Center at Duke University.

Recently, Drs. Chen and Zhong published an article together comparing the differences between holmium:YAG and thulium fiber lasers. They discovered that the mechanism of fracture is not caused by photothermal ablation as previously described by conventional theory in the literature, nor by vapor bubble collapse, but instead by the rapid and large expansion of intra-crater bubbles in the “drill and core” technique.

In comparison, the other two common clinical strategies, i.e., contact and near-contact modes, produce most dust and small fragments, and are ineffective in producing large-sized stone fragments for basket extraction.

This is another milestone study completed by Dr. Chen that elucidates the mechanism of stone fragmentation in laser lithotripsy that will have significant clinical implications to surgical management of kidney stone patients. In recognition of the authors’ research in laser lithotripsy, the Editor in Chief of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (LSM) selected the publication for the Editor’s Choice feature in the Inside LSM newsletter.

Dr. Chen partially attributes her decision to stay in academia to her involvement in the CAIRIBU Community. In a message to Dr. Penniston, PI of the CAIRIBU Interactions Core, she shared, “[The CAIRIBU Community] not only motivates me, but also makes me feel a responsibility to contribute, to support others, and to help extend this impact to more people.”

Congratulations, Dr. Chen and Dr. Zhong!