Using the new electromagnetic shockwave source of the Modulith SL 20 shockwave-induced renal trauma was evaluated by acute and chronic studies in the the canine kidney model. In a further study the electromagnetic shockwave source of the Lithostar Plus Overhead module was tested. Overall, 92 kidneys were exposed to shock waves coupled either by water bath (Modulith lab type) or by water cushion (Modulith prototype, Lithostar Overhead) under ultrasound localization. The generator voltage ranged between 11 and 21 kV, the number of impulses between 25 and 2500. After application of 1500/2500 shocks the extent of the renal lesion depended strictly on the applied generator voltage and was classified into 4 grades: Grade 0, no macroscopic trauma detectable (at 11-12 kV); grade 1, petechial medullary bleeding (at 13 kV); grade 2, cortical hematoma (at 14-16 kV); and grade 3, perirenal hematoma (17-20 kV). Whereas at low and medium energy levels the number of shocks played only a minor role, at maximal generator voltage (20 kV) even 25 impulses induced a grade 2 and 600 shocks a grade 3 lesion, emphasizing the importance of shockwave limitation in the upper energy range. In shockwave-induced renal trauma a vascular lesion was predominant and cellular necrosis was secondary. Coupling with a water cushion resulted in a 15%-20% decrease in the disintegrative and traumatic effect, which was compensated for by increasing the generator voltage by 2 kV. Long-term studies showed complete restitution following grade 1 and 2 trauma, whereas after a grade 3 lesion a small segmental and capsular fibrosis without hyperplasia of the juxtaglomerular apparatus was observed. Based on the characteristic ultrasound pattern found in the first study, the threshold for induction of grade 1 lesion was investigated. With both lithotripters a wide range for induction of a grade 1 lesion (Modulith 234-411, Lithostar Plus 220-740) and also a significant overlapping with grade 0 and 2 lesions was seen at low energy settings (levels 2-4). In contrast, the range of shocks (Modulith 96-150, Lithostar Plus 90-142) and overlapping was minimal when high energy was used (levels 7-9). Finally, the disintegration-trauma coefficient combining the results obtained in a standard stone model with those of the canine kidney model was introduced.