Therapeutical apparatus of extracorporeal type

• US 4,984,575 A
• Filed: 04/18/1988
• Issued: 01/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Olympus Optical Company Ltd. (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Hibino, Hiroki, Uchiyama, Naoki, Hayashi, Masaaki, Taniguchi, Akira, Takehana, Sakae, Sekino, Naomi, Takayama, Syuichi, Kubota, Tetsumaru, Watanabe, Nobuhiko, Tsukaya, Takashi, Ishihara, Kouichiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Zele, John D.
• Application Number:
  US07/182,785
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 128/328, 128/24 A, 128/24 EL, 128/660.03, 606/127-128
• US Class Current: 600/439
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2255 Means for positioning patient, shock wave apparatus or locating means, e.g. mechanical aspects, patient beds, support arms, aiming means positioning of patients for radiation diagnosis A61B6/04; positioning of locating means inside shock wave apparatus A61B17/2256
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2256 with means for locating or checking the concrement, e.g. X-ray apparatus, imaging means A61B17/2255 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00699 correcting for movement caused by respiration, e.g. by triggering

Abstract

A therapeutical apparatus includes a measuring apparatus including a probe which generates an X-ray or ultrasonic wave in order to detect the location of a target to be treated such as calculi situated within the kidney, liver, biliary ducts. A therapeutical energy generator generates a shock wave of sufficient energy for purpose of therapy externally of the physical body and focusses it upon the target. Structure is provided for causing a displacement of the generator and the measuring apparatus around the surface of a patient. Structure is provided to activate the generator.

Claims

1. An extracorporeal therapeutic apparatus, comprising:

locating means for locating the position of a target to be treated within a patient, said locating means generating and using ultrasonic waves;

therapeutic energy generating means for generating and focussing therapeutic energy upon said target to be treated; and

guiding and supporting means for movably guiding and supporting said locating means and said therapeutic energy generating means such that said locating means and said therapeutic energy generating means can be separately and independently guided to desired positions with respect to the surface of said patient, said guiding and supporting means being displaceable over said surface of said patient, wherein said guiding and supporting means includes;

(a) a body which is movable toward and away from said patient;

(b) a guide arm means for positioning said locating means at a desired angle for observation and for positioning said therapeutic energy generating means at a desired angle for efficient shock wave emission;

(c) a head for supporting said guide arm means, said head being mounted on said body; and

(d) means for rotating said head with respect to said body and for raising and lowering said head with respect to said body; and

wherein said guide arm means includes a semicircular section and a horizontal support shaft, said support shaft being rotatably connected to said head such that said semicircular section can be positioned above and below said patient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said locating means and said therapeutic energy generating means are slidably mounted on said semicircular section of said guide arm means.