The present research aims to establish an experimental model to simulate the interaction of underwater shock waves with tissues in vitro and tries to extend the model to account for the shock wave propagation in tissues. As experimental models, gelatin spheres and gelatin cylinders were randomly immersed in water, silicone oil and caster oil. The gelatin spheres and cylinders were made of 10% gelatin water solution, which have nearly the same acoustic impedance as that of the human tissue. Shock waves were generated by explosion of 10mg silver azide pellets, which were ignited by irradiation of a pulsed Nd : YAG laser beam. Peak overpressures were measured at various stand-off distances. The motion of shock waves was quantitatively visualized by using double exposure holographic interferometry. The effect of non-uniform media on the shock wave attenuation created due to the multiple interaction of shock waves with the gelatin spheres and cylinders was clarified.

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