Method and apparatus for lowering audible noise emissions from lithotriptors

• US 6,302,857 B1
• Filed: 06/02/2000
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vince Landeck
• Original Assignee: Vince Landeck
• Inventors: Landeck, Vince
• Primary Examiner(s): Lateef, Marvin M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MANTIS MERCADER, ELENI M
• Application Number:
  US09/587,134
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2, 601/4, 181/207, 181/208, 181/209, 181/210, 600/439
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2251 characterised by coupling elements between the apparatus, e.g. shock wave apparatus or locating means, and the patient, e.g. details of bags, pressure control of bag on patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2023/002 having a percussion element combined with a passive spacer element for bearing against the skin
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/008 using shock waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0236 using sonic waves, e.g. using loudspeakers
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/16 Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general G10K11/36 takes precedence

Abstract

A noise dampening shroud is configured to surround the generator of lithotriptor device to reduce the noise emissions caused as a result of the generation of acoustic shock waves during extracorporeal treatment of a patient. The shroud comprises an insulating body and a cover. The insulating body comprises sound dampening insulation and is configured to surround substantially all of the housing that typically encases the generator of convention lithotriptors. The cover is comprised of a thin pliant material configured to surround the insulating body and is provided with fasteners for removably securing the insulating body to the generator. When attached to the generator of a lithotriptor device, the shroud greatly reduces the noise emitting by the generation of acoustic shock waves and thereby minimizes the distraction and disturbance caused by such noise.

Claims

1. A noise dampener for use with a lithotriptor having an acoustic shock wave generator, the shock wave generator including an exterior housing and an exterior transmission surface for transmitting acoustic shock waves to a patient during treatment of the patient, the noise dampener comprising:

a shroud comprising sound dampening insulation adapted for connecting to the generator, the shroud being adapted to closely surround substantially all of the housing of the generator, the shroud further being adapted to reduce audible noise emissions of the generator without obstructing the transmission of acoustic shock waves to the patient during treatment when the shroud is connected to the generator.

2. The noise dampener of claim 1, wherein:

the shroud is adapted to be repeatedly attached to and removed from the generator without damaging the shroud.

3. The noise dampener of claim 2, wherein:

the shroud comprises an insulating body and a cover, the insulating body comprising the sound dampening insulation and the cover comprising a pliant material, the insulating body being configured to cover at least a portion of the generator in a manner for reducing the audible noise emissions of the generator, the cover being configured to surround at least a portion of the insulating body and having at least one fastener mechanism for securing a first portion of the cover to a second portion of the cover in a manner that allows the insulating body to be supported by the generator.

4. The noise dampener of claim 2, wherein:

the shroud has an open inner cavity and a mouth in communication with the inner cavity, the shroud being adapted for being slid at least partially around the generator in a manner such that the generator is received into the inner cavity via the mouth of the shroud as the shroud is being connected to the generator.

5. The noise dampener of claim 4 for use with the shock wave generator, the shock wave generator further having a support arm protruding from the housing, wherein:

the shroud has a through slot for extension therethrough of the arm of the generator at a given location of the slot when the shroud is connected to the generator, the slot extending from the mouth of the shroud such that the arm of the generator can pass along the slot from the mouth to the given location of the slot without the arm interfering with the positioning of the portion of the housing in the inner cavity of the shroud as the shroud is being connected to the generator.

6. The noise dampener of claim 5 for use with the shock wave generator, the shock wave generator further having a fluid supply line protruding from the housing, wherein:

the slot of the shroud is shaped and adapted to allow the fluid supply line of the generator to extend therethrough when the shroud is connected to the generator and such that the fluid supply line will not interfere with the positioning of the portion of the housing in the inner cavity of the shroud as the shroud is being connected to the generator.

7. The noise dampener of claim 5, wherein:

the shroud is pliant such that the shroud can be deformed when the portion of the housing is being positioned in the inner cavity of the shroud.

8. The noise dampener of claim 1, wherein:

the sound dampening insulation comprises fibrous padding.

9. The noise dampener of claim 1, wherein:

the shroud will reduce audible noise emissions of the generator by at least approximately 7 dB when the shroud is connected to the generator.

10. The noise dampener of claim 1, wherein:

the shroud will reduce audible noise emissions of the generator by at least approximately 10 dB when the shroud is connected to the generator.

11. The noise dampener of claim 1, wherein:

the shroud will reduce audible noise emissions of the generator by at least approximately 13 dB when the shroud is connected to the generator.

12. A noise dampened lithotriptor comprising:

a lithotriptor having an acoustic shock wave generator, the shock wave generator including an exterior housing and an exterior transmission surface for transmitting acoustic shock waves to a patient during treatment of the patient; and

a shroud comprising sound dampening insulation connected to the generator of the lithotriptor, the shroud closely surrounding substantially all of the housing of the generator, the shroud further being adapted to reduce audible noise emissions of the generator without obstructing the transmission of the acoustic shock waves to the patient during treatment.

13. The noise dampened lithotriptor of claim 12 wherein:

the shroud is adapted and configured such that the shroud reduces audible noise emissions of the generator by at least approximately 10 dB.

14. The noise dampened lithotriptor of claim 12 wherein:

the shroud comprises an insulating body and a cover, the insulating body comprising the sound dampening insulation and the cover comprising a pliant material, the insulating body covering at least a portion of the generator in a manner that reduces the audible noise emissions of the generator, the cover surrounding at least a portion of the insulating body and having at least one fastener mechanism for securing a first portion of the cover to a second portion of the cover in a manner that supports the insulating body by the generator.

15. A method of dampening noise emissions of a lithotriptor device, the method comprising:

providing a lithotriptor device having a shock wave generator; and

surrounding a portion of the generator with sound dampening insulation in a manner to dampen noise emissions from the generator.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the sound dampening insulation dampens noise emissions from the generator by at least approximately 7 dB.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the sound dampening insulation comprises fibrous padding.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the step of providing a lithotriptor includes providing a lithotriptor having a housing surrounding the generator.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the step of surrounding the generator with sound dampening insulation comprises surrounding the housing with the sound dampening insulation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein:

the step of surrounding the generator with sound dampening insulation includes forming a shroud comprised of sound dampening insulation that can be repeatedly attached to, and removed from, the generator without damaging the shroud.