Unfocused electrohydraulic lithotripter

• US 9,861,377 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• 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:
  US14/852,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20160022295A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 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; and

,

one or more rounded lead contact surfaces positioned at a distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes, the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

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, wherein each probe of the plurality of probes are connected together by a band.

5. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a spherical shape.

6. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a donut shape.

7. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1, wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a bead shape characterized by a rounded lead contact surface and a cylindrical side surface.

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;

one or more rounded lead contact surfaces positioned at a distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes, the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;

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, wherein each probe of the plurality of probes are connected together by a band.

12. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a spherical shape.

13. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a donut shape.

14. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8, wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a bead shape characterized by a rounded lead contact surface and a cylindrical side surface.

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 is positioned entirely within the flexible encapsulating member.

16. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15, wherein the plate comprises at least one opening.

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

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

19. An electrohydraulic lithotripter for extracorporeal administration of electrohydraulic lithotripsy 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 an unfocused shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;

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

20. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19, characterized by the absence of a flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes.

21. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19, further comprising a flexible encapsulating member extracorporeally positionable against a tissue, the flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes.

22. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19, wherein the first probe and the second probe are configured to discharge simultaneously.

23. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19, wherein the first probe and the second probe are configured to discharge sequentially.

24. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19, 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.

25. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19, 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.

26. 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 is positioned entirely outside the flexible encapsulating member.

27. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 26, wherein the plate is formed of a rigid material.

28. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 26, wherein the plate is formed of a flexible material.

29. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 26, wherein the plate comprises a plurality of openings.

30. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 29, wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is aligned with a probe of the plurality of probes.