Impact lithotrypsy
First Claim
1. Apparatus for applying an energy impulse to cause fracturing of hard formations in the body comprising:
- a flexible guide adapted for insertion through a body passage, said flexible guide having a terminal portion defining an interior space,an end cap affixed to said terminal portion adapted for reciprocating movement,fluid disposed in the interior space of said terminal portion adjacent said end cap,means for applying through said flexible guide a series of light energy pulses, the energy of which produces a corresponding series of rapid vaporizations of said fluid adjacent said end cap thereby to cause a series of reciprocal mechanical pulse-like movements of said end cap.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for fracturing hard deposits such as urinary and biliary stones and atherosclerotic plaque in the human body. A flexible guide having a hard mass capping an end is adapted for insertion through a fluid passage in a living body. An energy source creates a rapid vapor expansion adjacent to the cap causing it to undergo a pulse like movement, imparting a high-velocity impulse to an adjacent deposit, thereby fracturing it. The energy source may be a laser with a fiber optic delivery system in the guide terminating adjacent to the cap to cause vaporization of the mass cap to create the vapor expansion. The energy source may be a spark generator with a conductor associated with the guide to deliver a fluid vaporizing spark adjacent to the mass cap. Other forms of rapid energy delivery such as chemical detonations or ballistic impact may also be applicable.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for applying an energy impulse to cause fracturing of hard formations in the body comprising:
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a flexible guide adapted for insertion through a body passage, said flexible guide having a terminal portion defining an interior space, an end cap affixed to said terminal portion adapted for reciprocating movement, fluid disposed in the interior space of said terminal portion adjacent said end cap, means for applying through said flexible guide a series of light energy pulses, the energy of which produces a corresponding series of rapid vaporizations of said fluid adjacent said end cap thereby to cause a series of reciprocal mechanical pulse-like movements of said end cap. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for fracturing hard formations in the body comprising:
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inserting a flexible guide having an end cap affixed for reciprocating motion on a terminal portion thereof through a body passage; providing fluid to an interior of said terminal portion adjacent said end cap; and generating a series of light energy pulses in the fluid adjacent said end cap in the vicinity of a hard formation thereby causing a series of rapid vaporizations of said fluid and a corresponding series of reciprocal mechanical pulse-like movements of the cap into fracturing contact with said hard formation. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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Specification