Our History – »It's conceivable, so it's possible«

»It's conceivable, so it's possible«

Dr hc Karl Storz

If you talk about shock waves today, you will certainly talk about STORZ MEDICAL as well. Back in 1945, when Dr Karl Storz laid the foundation for the KARL STORZ Group in southern german suebian town Tuttlingen, nobody could have imagined what a great influence the products from this innovative think tank would have not only on endoscopy but also on shock wave therapy.

As early as in 1970 the use of the first ultrasound lithotripter worldwide for the treatment of urinary stones had broken new ground already. At the beginning of 1987, the decision to develop an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter followed and, in November of the same year the STORZ MEDICAL AG was eventually established in Switzerland. One year later, STORZ MEDICAL applied for a patent for the electromagnetic cylindrical source, which remains the heart of all its focused shock wave systems up to date. It was also in 1988 that the prototype of the first modular lithotripter in the world, the MODULITH® SL10, was presented – a technological sensation!

A series of technical innovations in the field of extracorporeal shock wave therapy – all protected by patents – followed and formed a strong and promising basis for the future success of the STORZ MEDICAL AG. Non-invasive solutions for urgent therapeutic problems in urology, cardiology, neurology and orthopaedic pain treatment, for example, consolidated the reputation of STORZ MEDICAL as the leading enterprise in shock wave technology in the world.

The further development of non-invasive and patient friendly treatment methods will keep STORZ MEDICAL busy in the future and – in full accordance with Dr hc Karl Storz – leave the company no time for resting on its laurels.

Foundation of the STORZ MEDICAL AG in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland. New ground is broken in medical technology. Shock wave therapy adds a non-invasive method to the choice of treatments.

1987

Breakthrough in medical shock wave technology: Application for a patent for the electromagnetic cylindrical source. The prototype of the first modular lithotripter is produced.

1988

Market launch of the first generation of lithotripters (MODULITH® SL10/SL20) with the patented electromagnetic STORZ MEDICAL cylindrical source, which is also equipped with X-ray localization in addition to in-line ultrasound localization.

1989

Market launch of the first lithotripter worldwide (MODULITH® SLX) equipped with in-line localization systems for both imaging modes (X-ray/ultrasound). The hollow geometry of the cylindrical source is used consistently to either X-ray through the source or work with an in-line ultrasound transducer.

1993

For the first time a lithotripter (MINILITH® SL1) is used for the non-invasive treatment of salivary stones by Dr Wolfgang Kater in Frankfurt, Germany.

1994

First treatment of spasms with the MINILITH® SL1 applied by Dr Henning Lohse-Busch in Bad Krozingen, Germany.

1995

Prof Heinz Lohrer of the Institute for Sports Medicine Frankfurt Main (Sportmedizinisches Institut – SMI) is the first to apply the MINILITH® SL1 in the treatment of orthopaedic pain (ESWT) suffered by athletes at the Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, USA.

1996

Presentation of the first interdisciplinary lithotripter (MODULITH® SLK) with patented, computer based navigation system (Lithotrack®): With this system it is for the first time possible to aim with a flexible therapy head at a position localized by X-ray with a C-arc.

1999

Breakthrough in cardiology: For the first time a patient's heart (non-revascularizable angina pectoris) is treated with shock waves. The first CSWT (Cardiac Shock Wave Therapy) with the MODULITH® SLC is carried out by Prof Dr Raimund Erbel and Dr Guido Caspari in Essen, Germany.

1999

The German physicians Dr Roman Strössenreuther (Moosburg-Freising), Dr Georg Popp (Augsburg), and Dr Werner Siems/Dr Reiner Brenke (Bad Ems) are the first to use the MINILITH® SL1 for the treatment of aesthetic indications (cellulite). In their studies they could prove a significant reduction of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls (biomarkers for oxidative stress) in the plasma.

2003

The dual focus is introduced to lithotripsy: The MODULITH® SLX-F2 is the first lithotripter with switchable focus size (precise or extended). First treatment of non-bacterial prostatitis/CPPS with the MINILITH® SL1 by Prof Arnulf Stenzl, Dr Reinhold Zimmermann and Dr Sven Lahme in Tübingen, Germany.

2004

StorM-Touch with StorM-Base – the first fully integrated touch operated system for stone treatment with patient data management.

2007

STORZ MEDICAL presents the V-ACTOR® vibration technology as an adjuvant treatment complementing shock wave therapy.

2008

Launch of the new MODULITH® SLK »inline« – a cutting-edge, ergonomic design is combined with an optimal over-table and under-table positioning of the shock wave source.

2011

STORZ MEDICAL combines shock wave therapy with ultrasound: the DUOLITH® SD1 »ultra« is the first modular shock wave therapy system worldwide with an integrated diagnostic ultrasound system.

2012

STORZ MEDICAL presents the all-rounder in urology: the MODULITH® SLX-F2 »connect« combines a lithotripter and urological workstation with integrated X-ray flat panel detector.

2013

STORZ MEDICAL launches the newest generation of radial pressure wave devices: the MASTERPULS® »ultra« line.

2014

The new focused shock wave SEPIA® handpiece with integrated, clear display for rapid treatment navigation at reduced revision costs is introduced and successfully accepted by the market.

2015

The MODULITH® SLK »intelect« can be used as a versatile lithotripter with a variety of urological workstations and C-arcs.

2016

The MODULITH® SLX-F2 »FD21« with dynamic X-ray flat panel detector is the ideal stationary SWL system for customers with large numbers of patients.

2018

STORZ MEDICAL develops a new radial pressure wave device, the MASTERPULS® ONE. It is characterised by its ease of use, compact design and the light SPARROW™ handpiece.

2018

STORZ MEDICAL presents the NEUROLITH® for treatment of the central nervous system in patients with Alzheimer's disease using transcranial pulse stimulation (TPS®).

2018

The new MODULITH® SLC generation is designed for the treatment of ischaemic heart disease.

2020

With the development of the MAGNETOLITH®, STORZ MEDICAL breaks new ground, extending its operations to the field of Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy (EMTT) for the treatment of disorders affecting the musculoskeletal system.

2020