Unfocused electrohydraulic lithotripter

• US 9,636,124 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2014
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Northgate Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Northgate Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Mantell, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Fishback, Ashley
• Application Number:
  US14/204,310
• Publication Number:
  US 20140257323A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,148 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22022 using electric discharge
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22025 applying a shock wave A61B2017/22091 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays

Abstract

Electrohydraulic lithotripters comprising a plurality of electrohydraulic probes are disclosed. Each probe of the plurality of probes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe. A first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes may be configured to discharge simultaneously or sequentially.

Claims

1. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;

wherein a first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes are configured to discharge simultaneously; and

,

wherein a position of a distal end of the first probe relative to a position of a distal end of the second probe is selectively adjustable.

2. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe and the distal end of the second probe.

3. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a first plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe, with the distal end of the second probe being positioned in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the second probe, the first plane being different than the second plane.

4. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, further comprising a third probe.

5. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 4, wherein a central axis of the first probe, a central axis of the second probe, and a central axis of the third probe are not all positioned in a same plane.

6. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 4, wherein the first probe, the second probe, and the third probe are configured to discharge simultaneously.

7. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein each probe of the plurality of probes are connected together by a band.

8. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;

wherein a first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes are configured to discharge sequentially; and

,

wherein a position of a distal end of the first probe relative to a position of a distal end of the second probe is selectively adjustable.

9. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first prove and the distal end of the second probe.

10. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a first plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe, with the distal end of the second probe being positioned in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the second probe, the first plane being different than the second plane.

11. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, further comprising a third probe.

12. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 11, wherein a central axis of the first probe, a central axis of the second probe, and a central axis of the third probe are not all positioned in a same plane.

13. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 11, wherein the first probe, the second probe, and the third probe are configured to discharge sequentially.

14. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, wherein each probe of the plurality of probes are connected together by a band.

15. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:

a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes having a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe, such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;

a flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes; and

,

a plate positioned relative to the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes for receiving the shockwave that radiates from the distal ends of each probe;

wherein the plate comprises a surface area sized to receive the shockwave that radiates from the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes; and

,

wherein the plate comprises a plurality of openings.

16. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15, wherein the plate is positioned entirely within the flexible encapsulating member.

17. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15, wherein the plate is positioned entirely outside the flexible encapsulating member.

18. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15, wherein the plate is formed of a rigid material.

19. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15, wherein the plate is formed of a flexible material.

20. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is aligned with a probe of the plurality of probes.