A lithotripsy probe is provided including an elongate body with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therethrough. The lithotripsy probe further includes a stiffening element with a proximal end, a distal end, and a length extending from the proximal end to the distal end. The stiffening element is disposed within the lumen of the elongate body. The stiffening element has a stiffness that varies along the length of the stiffening element, where the stiffness of the proximal end of the stiffening element is greater than the stiffness of the distal end of the stiffening element.
