Spark gap electrode assembly for lithotripters
First Claim
1. A spark gap electrode assembly for lithotripters comprising:
- a grounded electrode having a base and a tip;
a housing having a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis through said housing between a distal opening and a proximal opening;
a cage extending from said housing for holding said grounded electrode base with said grounded electrode tip located in a predetermined position relative to said distal opening of said housing, said cage also including means for providing an electrical path to an external ground for said grounded electrode;
a discharge electrode assembly for removable insertion into said proximal opening of said housing having;
(a) a discharge electrode having an elongated conductive body with a proximal end for connection to an external electrical power supply and a tip at its distal end; and
(b) an insulative layer covering said discharge electrode between said tip and proximal end; and
stop means associated with said insulative layer and said housing passageway for preventing further insertion of said discharge electrode assembly beyond a predetermined position within said housing passageway so that said tip of said discharge electrode extends through said distal end of said housing and for fixing the distance between said tip of said discharge electrode and said tip of said grounded electrode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A spark gap electrode assembly for lithotripters allows easy replacement of both electrode tips without requiring manual adjustment of the spacing between the tips. The electrode assembly uses a housing with a conductive cage extending from its distal end to support the grounded electrode. The cage holds the base of the grounded electrode so that the tip of the grounded electrode is located at a predetermined position relative to the distal end of the housing. The discharge electrode assembly is threaded through a passageway in the housing extending along a longitudinal axis. The discharge electrode assembly includes an elongated conductive body with a proximal end for connection to an external electrical power supply and a tip at its distal end. An insulative layer covers the discharge electrode between its tip and proximal end. The insulative layer also includes a stop to prevent further insertion of the discharge electrode assembly beyond a predetermined position within the housing passageway so that the tip of the discharge electrode extends through the distal end of the housing to a location separated by a predetermined distance from the tip of the grounded electrode. In the preferred embodiment, the cage includes an end cap having a passageway and a setscrew to removably secure the grounded electrode in place.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A spark gap electrode assembly for lithotripters comprising:
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a grounded electrode having a base and a tip; a housing having a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis through said housing between a distal opening and a proximal opening; a cage extending from said housing for holding said grounded electrode base with said grounded electrode tip located in a predetermined position relative to said distal opening of said housing, said cage also including means for providing an electrical path to an external ground for said grounded electrode; a discharge electrode assembly for removable insertion into said proximal opening of said housing having; (a) a discharge electrode having an elongated conductive body with a proximal end for connection to an external electrical power supply and a tip at its distal end; and (b) an insulative layer covering said discharge electrode between said tip and proximal end; and stop means associated with said insulative layer and said housing passageway for preventing further insertion of said discharge electrode assembly beyond a predetermined position within said housing passageway so that said tip of said discharge electrode extends through said distal end of said housing and for fixing the distance between said tip of said discharge electrode and said tip of said grounded electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A spark gap electrode assembly for lithotripters comprising:
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a grounded electrode having an enlarged base and a tip; a housing having a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis through said housing between a distal opening and a proximal opening, said passageway having internal threads and a stop at a predetermined location within said passageway; a conductive end cap having a passageway extending along said longitudinal axis through said end cap for holding said base of said grounded electrode, said end cap also having a stop at a predetermined location within said passageway for engaging said base of said grounded electrode to locate said grounded electrode tip in a predetermined position relative to said distal opening of said housing; a cage extending from said housing for supporting said end cap and grounded electrode, said cage also providing an electrical path to an external ground for said end cap and grounded electrode; and a discharge electrode assembly for removable insertion into said proximal opening of said housing having; (a) a discharge electrode having an elongated conductive body with a proximal end for connection to an external electrical power supply and a tip at its distal end; and (b) an insulative layer covering said discharge electrode between said tip and proximal end, said insulative layer having external threads for engaging said threads within said housing passageway and a stop for contacting said stop within said housing passageway to prevent further insertion of said discharge electrode assembly beyond a predetermined position so that said tip of said discharge electrode extends through said distal end of said housing and for fixing the distance between said tip of said discharge electrode and said tip of said grounded electrode. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A spark gap electrode assembly for lithotripters comprising:
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a grounded electrode having an enlarged base and a tip; a housing having a passageway extending along a longitudinal axis through said housing between a distal opening and a proximal opening, said passageway having internal threads and a shoulder with a reduced diameter at a predetermined location within said passageway; a conductive end cap having; (a) a passageway extending along said longitudinal axis through said end cap for holding said base of said grounded electrode with said tip extending toward said distal opening of said housing; (b) a shoulder having a reduced diameter within said passageway at a predetermined location for engaging said base of said grounded electrode to locate said grounded electrode tip in a predetermined position relative to said distal opening of said housing; and (c) means for removably securing said base of said grounded electrode against said shoulder within said passageway of said end cap; a cage extending from said housing for supporting said end cap and grounded electrode, said cage also providing an electrical path to an external ground for said end cap and grounded electrode; a discharge electrode assembly for removable insertion into said proximal opening of said housing having; (a) a discharge electrode having an elongated conductive body with a proximal end for connection to an external electrical power supply and a tip at its distal end; and (b) an insulative layer covering said discharge electrode between said tip and proximal end, said insulative layer having external threads for engaging said threads within said housing passageway and a shoulder having an increased diameter for contacting said shoulder within said housing passageway to prevent further insertion of said discharge electrode assembly beyond a predetermined position so that said tip of said discharge electrode extends through said distal end of said housing and for fixing the distance between said tip of said discharge electrode and said tip of said grounded electrode; and means for removably securing said discharge electrode assembly against said shoulder within said housing passageway. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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Specification