Generation for shock waves for contactless destruction of concrements in a living being

• US 4,608,983 A
• Filed: 04/27/1984
• Issued: 09/02/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dornier System GmbH Postfach
• Original Assignee: Dornier System GmbH
• Inventors: Wess, Othmar, Muller, Hans G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US06/604,859
• Time in Patent Office: 858 Days
• Field of Search: 128/328, 128/24 A, 128/804, 604/22, 367/138, 313/113
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/225 for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22027 Features of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/06 using electric discharge

Abstract

The apparatus includes an ellipsoidal reflection chamber having two focal points, one to be aligned with the concrement to be destroyed, the other one being located in a discharge path between two electrodes facing each other and being oriented in the longitudinal axis of the ellipsoid; one of the electrodes is a point-like extension of an inner one of two coaxial conductors, and the outer one of these conductors carries several flat arch shaped holders positioning the other electrode likewise in said longitudinal axis, the holding structure in the vicinity of the inner conductor continuing the ellipsoidal reflecting surface; through a threaded mount the two electrodes can be moved towards and away from each other; each of these electrodes is preferably provided for easy exchange to compensate burning off.

Claims

1. In an apparatus for destruction and breaking up of a concrement present in the body of a living being, and including an ellipsoidal reflector having two focal points, in one of the focal points is positioned a discharge path between two electrodes while the reflector is to be positioned such that the second focal point is situated in the location of the concrement to be destroyed, further including a pair of coaxial conductors for the application of high voltage to the electrodes, the improvement comprising:

first electrode means connected to an inner one of said coaxial conductors and positioned to extend towards said first focal point and extending particularly in the long axis of said ellipsoid;

a plurality of flat, arch-shaped or semi-arch shaped elements mounted on the outer one of said coaxial conductors and defining an arch apex;

means in said arch apex for mounting the second one of said electrodes, such that said second electrode extends also in said long axis and towards said first electrode;

said outer conductor, including shaft end means from which said arch or semi-arch shaped elements extend being penetrated by an end portion of said inner conductor and having a surface contour which merges with the ellipsoidal surface of said reflector; and

means for coaxially moving said first and second electrodes in relation to each other.

2. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said shaft end includes a brass portion or a material having similar reflective properties as far as incident shock wave is concerned.

3. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said first electrode is mounted in a thinner extension of said inner conductor, the electrode being mounted and secured by releasably securing the first electrode thereto, said means for mounting said second electrode including release means for easy exchange of said second electrode.

4. The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said electrodes are thin cylindrical rods.

5. The improvement as in claim 4 wherein said rods are coated with insulation except for the tip.

6. In an apparatus for generating shock waves for purposes of contactless destruction and breakup of concrements in a living being comprising:

first means defining a truncated ellipsoidal reflector chamber having a first focal point situated within said chamber, and a second focal point located outside said chamber on account of said truncation;

a spark generator inserted in said chamber in a direction generally along the long and main axis of said ellipsoid in which the focal points are situated, said spark generator including a first conductor means continuing the outer one of a pair of coaxial conductors and having an end surface merging with and coinciding with said ellipsoidal reflector surface, there being arch shaped holding elements which extend from said surface;

said generator further including a first electrode mounted on the apex of said arch shaped holder to position a first electrode in the vicinity of said first focal point and extending generally along said main axis; and

said generator further including a second electrode being the continuation of an inner one of said two coaxial conductors penetrating said shaft end and having an end oriented along and towards said axis for facing said first electrode.

7. The improvement as in claim 6 and including a threaded connection between said outer conductor and said holders for mounting said arched holders, and means providing a threaded connection between said inner conductor and said outer conductor such that upon turning said outer conductor said two electrodes are removed towards and/or away from each other, depending upon the direction of turning.