Ultrasonic wave coupler for locating transducer in a lithotriptic apparatus
First Claim
1. A coupler for an ultrasonic locating transducer used in a lithotriptic apparatus, said coupler comprising a body having a first side which has a shape adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s skin and a second side adapted to releasably fit the sound head of an ultrasonic locating transducer so as to allow ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic locating transducer to be coupled into a patient without losses, said body consisting essentially of a material which is dimensionally stable and which has a characteristic wave impedance substantially the same as that of a patient'"'"'s body tissue, and said coupler body further comprising means for securely and releasably seating the coupler on the ultrasonic locating transducer said coupler body and means for seating being constructed of one piece.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A diagnostic coupler is provided for transmitting ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic locating transducer to a patient body, particularly for use in a lithotriptic apparatus having an ultrasonic shock wave transducer and at least one ultrasonic locating transducer. The coupler is a dimensionally stable body which is releasably arranged on the ultrasonic locating transducer by fitting to the shape of the ultrasound emitting end of the transducer. The material of the coupler has a characteritic wave impedance which is substantially the same as that of the patient body tissue.
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Citations
11 Claims
- 1. A coupler for an ultrasonic locating transducer used in a lithotriptic apparatus, said coupler comprising a body having a first side which has a shape adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s skin and a second side adapted to releasably fit the sound head of an ultrasonic locating transducer so as to allow ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic locating transducer to be coupled into a patient without losses, said body consisting essentially of a material which is dimensionally stable and which has a characteristic wave impedance substantially the same as that of a patient'"'"'s body tissue, and said coupler body further comprising means for securely and releasably seating the coupler on the ultrasonic locating transducer said coupler body and means for seating being constructed of one piece.
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11. A lithotriptic apparatus comprising a shock wave transducer and at least one ultrasonic locating transducer attached to the shock wave transducer and located therein, said locating transducer having a coupler releasably arranged thereon, said coupler comprising a body having a first side which has a shape adapted to contact a patient'"'"'s skin and a second side adapted to releasably fit the sound head of the ultrasonic locating transducer so as to allow ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic locating transducer to be coupled into a patient without losses, said body consisting essentially of a material which is dimensionally stable and which has a characteristic wave impedance substantially the same as that of a patient'"'"'s body tissue, and said coupler body further comprising means for securely and releasably seating the coupler on the ultrasonic locating transducer said coupler body and means for seating being constructed of one piece.
Specification