Device for ensuring the proper positioning of electrodes in a lithotripter

• US 4,940,050 A
• Filed: 10/21/1988
• Issued: 07/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dornier Medizintechnik GmbH
• Original Assignee: Dornier Medizintechnik GmbH
• Inventors: Heine, Gerold, Forssmann, Bernd, Hepp, Wolfgang, Sell, Gustav, Zech, Hendrik
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US07/262,143
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 128/328, 128/24 A, 367/147, 340/654, 340/686, 606/127, 606/128
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/06 using electric discharge

Abstract

In an arrangement for the generation and focussing of shock waves for purposes of comminution of concrements, wherein the generation is provided by a pair of electrodes, and the focussing is provided by a rotational ellipsoid; the electrodes extend from a sleeve being inserted in the body of the ellipsoid such that the electrodes center on one of the two focal points of the rotational ellipsoid; a positioning device for the electrodes includes a position indicator on the electrode sleeve such as a metal or optical marking on a mechanical actuator having a highly accurately predetermined positional relation to the electrodes; a position sensor on the body of the rotational ellipsoid has a highly accurately determined position in relation to the first focal point; and a circuit is connected to the position sensor to provide a audible and/or visible representation if, and only if, the position indicator has an accurate position related to the sensor as an indication that the electrodes are centered on the first focal point.

Claims

1. In a lithotripter which includes a device for the generation and focussing of shock waves for purposes of comminution of concrements, the device including a pair of electrodes positioned in a rotational ellipsoid for focussing generated shockwaves, the ellipsoid having a body, said pair of electrodes extending from a holder, the holder being inserted in said body such that the electrodes center on a first one of the two focal points of the rotational ellipsoid, the improvement comprising,

a positioning device for the electrodes, in the body of rotational ellipsoid and including a position sensing means mounted in the body of the rotational ellipsoid, having a highly accurate and determined position in relation to said first focal point;

a position indicating and establishing means mounted on said electrode holder such that the position indicating and establishing means has a particular, highly accurate and predetermined position in relation to said electrodes; and

circuit means connected to said position sensing means to provide a signal representing an accurate position relation of alignment between the position sensing means and the position establishing means if, and only if, said position indicating and establishing means is in said accurate position relation of alignment with respect to said position sensing means, whereby said electrodes are positioned on said first focal point.

2. A lithotripter as in claim 1, and including additional circuit means responsive to said signal to provide a further signal permitting generation of a shock wave through generation of a spark gap across said electrodes if, and only if, said additional circuit means indicates establishing of said accurate position relation of alignment between said position sensing means and said position establishing means.

3. A lithotripter as in claim 1, said circuit means including means for providing an acoustic and a visible indication.

4. A lithotripter as in claim 1, wherein said position indicating and establishing means is a nose, said position sensing means is a micro-switch.

5. A lithotripter as in claim 1, wherein said position indicating and establishing means includes a metal element, said position sensing means is an inductive transducer.

6. A lithotripter as in claim 5, wherein said position indicating and establishing means further including a sleeve, said metal element being a metallic ring, so that the signal representation is provided independent from an angular position of the sleeve in the body.

7. A lithotripter as in claim 1, including spring biasing means for urging said electrode holder into said desired position.

8. A lithotripter as in claim 1, wherein the position indicating and establishing means comprises a contrasting and/or fluorescent marking, said position sensing means, comprises a photoelectric transducer.

9. A lithotripter as in claim 1, wherein said position indicating and establishing means is of annular configuration for rendering response of said position sensing means independent from the angular position of said pair of electrodes in said body.

10. A lithotripter as in claim 9, the position indicating and establishing means being a contrasting and/or flourescent marking, said sensing means being a photoelectric transducer.