Analytical Assessments of Gallstones and Urinary Stones: A Comprehensive Review of the Development from Laser to LIBS

Abstract

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a sensitive optical technique capable of fast multi-elemental analysis of various kinds of materials (solid, liquids, and gases) and its applications are growing rapidly and continue to extend to include a broad variety of biological materials. Its application is suited particularly for urinary stones and gallstones bulk analysis and microanalysis because investigation of the spatial distribution of matrix and trace elements can help to explain their emergence and growth. Therefore, we review the application of LIBS for the analysis of different kinds of gallstones and urinary stones. In brief, we also describe the history, fundamentals, advantages, and disadvantages of LIBS and its potential for spectrochemical analysis of gallstones and kidney stones. We also emphasize the applications of different kinds of lasers in urology, particularly the laser ablation of gallstones and urinary stones and its recent progress. We also summarize and compare the analytical figures of merits of analytical techniques that are commonly used to characterize and/or analyze stones.