Apparatus and method for stone capture and removal

• US 20060116693A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Voegele, James W., Weisenburgh, William Bruce II, Gill, Robert P.
• Application Number:
  US11/290,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20060116693A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/128
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12099 characterised by the location of the occluder
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/12136 Balloons
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22031 Gripping instruments, e.g. forceps, for removing or smashing calculi A61B17/221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/221 Gripping devices in the form of loops or baskets for gripping calculi or similar types of obstructions surgical snare instruments A61B17/32056
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2215 having an open distal end
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/306 using optical fibres

Abstract

A system and method to be used in ultrasonic or other types of lithotripsy of a stone in a ureter, the system including a catheter having a stone probe tip capable of transmitting stone reducing energy. The catheter can include an expandable funnel section adjacent to the probe tip, such that expansion of the expandable funnel section can dislodge a stone by pushing back on the ureter wall expanding it slightly. The funnel section also being capable of pooling some urine in the ureter to be used as an ultrasonic transmission media. The stone probe can be connected to a source of energy capable of driving the probe tip to deliver energy to break apart the stone.

Claims

1. A system to be used in lithotripsy of a stone in a ureter, said system comprising;

a catheter having a probe tip capable of transmitting energy;

an expandable portion adjacent to said probe tip;

said expandable portion including fingers that can push outward against a wall of the ureter; and

a source of energy capable of driving said probe tip to deliver energy to disintegrate said stone.

2. A method of performing ultrasonic lithitripsy on a stone in ureter including the steps of;

placing a catheter having an ultrasonic probe in the ureter adjacent to a stone;

capturing said stone by expanding a portion of said catheter adjacent said probe to expand against a wall of said ureter;

at least partially blocking a flow of fluid in said ureter to act as a medium for transmitting ultrasonic energy; and

using a source of ultrasonic energy to drive the probe to break apart the stone.

3. A catheter to be used in lithotripsy of a stone in a ureter, said catheter including;

a probe tip capable of transmitting ultrasonic energy;

an expandable portion adjacent to said probe tip;

said expandable portion including a funnel that can push outward against a wall of the ureter; and

a source of energy capable of driving said probe tip to deliver ultrasonic energy to break apart said stone.