Unfocused electrohydraulic lithotripter

• US 10,603,058 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2017
• Issued: 03/31/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northgate Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Northgate Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mantell, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Fishback, Ashley L
• Application Number:
  US15/831,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20180214166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22022 using electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22025 applying a shock wave A61B2017/22091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays

Abstract

Electrohydraulic lithotripters comprising a plurality of electrohydraulic probes are disclosed. Each probe of the plurality of probes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe. A first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes may be configured to discharge simultaneously or sequentially.

Claims

1. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

wherein the rounded lead contact surface is spherically shaped; and

wherein the rounded contact surface has a diameter of approximately 0.585 inches.

2. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are cylindrical electrodes.

3. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the electrohydraulic probe comprises metal.

4. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, further comprising:

a second electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the second probe such that when the second probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the second probe.

5. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

wherein the rounded lead contact surface is a bead shape positioned at a distal end of the probe.

6. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 5, wherein the rounded surface has a radius of approximately 0.026 inches.

7. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

a water-tight flexible material surrounding at least a portion of the distal end of the probe;

a first channel in communication with an interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to provide a pathway to infuse the water-tight flexible material with a liquid; and

a second channel in communication with the interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to degas the liquid within the water-tight flexible material.

8. The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 7, wherein the water-tight flexible material comprises Mylar.

9. An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

wherein the electrohydraulic probe is covered with a hydrophilic coating.

10. A method comprising:

advancing an invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter though a lumen, the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising;

an electrohydraulic probe comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and

a rounded lead contact surface positioned at a distal end of the probe, where the rounded lead contact surface is adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

a water-tight flexible material surrounding at least a portion of the distal end of the probe;

a first channel in communication with an interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to provide a pathway to infuse the water-tight flexible material with a liquid; and

a second channel in communication with the interior of the water-tight flexible material and configured to degas the liquid within the water-tight flexible material;

in conjunction with advancing the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter through the lumen, positioning the electrohydraulic probe adjacent to a target; and

discharging the probe such that a resulting shockwave radiates from the distal end of the probe and impacts the target.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the rounded lead contact surface is one of a bead shape that is posited at the distal end of the probe, a spherical shape, or a donut shape.

12. The method of claim 10, where the target is tissue.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the target is a concretion.