Apparatus for the contact-free disintegration of calculi

• US 4,674,505 A
• Filed: 07/24/1984
• Issued: 06/23/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Pauli, Karlheinz, Reichenberger, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Application Number:
  US06/634,021
• Time in Patent Office: 1,064 Days
• Field of Search: 73/642, 310/335, 128/24 A, 128/328, 128/660, 128/804, 128/303.1, 350/474, 367/150
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/30 using refraction, e.g. acoustic lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 9/12 electrically operated

Abstract

The utilization of the apparatus fundamentally lies in the medical sector. An essentially planar shock wave is generated with the assistance of a shock wave tube via a magnetic dynamic effect. This shock wave is focussed by an acoustic convergent lens, whereby the calculus to be pulverized is placed at the focal point (F) of the convergent lens. In order to couple the shock wave to the patient, the space that the shock wave traverses is filled with a coupling agent, for example water. The shock wave tube, the convergent lens and a fine adjustment for the displacement of the convergent lens relative to the shock wave tube are attached to a mounting stand so as to be pivotable in all directions. This disintegration facility comprising a shock wave tube has high operating reliability with respect to high voltage, requires low maintenance, and has only negligible imaging or focussing errors resulting from the shock wave producing membrane and the convergent lens.

Claims

1. An apparatus for the contact-free disintegration of a calculus located in the body of a living being, comprising:

a shock wave generator which can be aligned with a target region in said body, said shock wave generator comprising a shock wave tube means for generating a planar shock wave and which includes a metallic tubular jacket with a first and a second end;

at the first end of the tubular jacket a flat, spirally wound electrical coil, an insulating film and a conductive membrane being arranged in sandwich fashion, said flat coil having a first terminal for connection to a safety potential, and a second terminal for connection to a supply and control unit;

a lens means for focussing said planar shock wave onto a focal point in said target region, said lens means being operatively associated with said shock wave tube means and being arranged at the second end of said tubular jacket in spaced relationship to said conductive membrane;

a coupling fluid filling the space between said membrane and said lens means;

means for electrically connecting said conductive membrane and said jacket to a safety potential;

a coupling means provided between said lens means and said body for guiding the focussed shock wave to said body and for coupling said focussed shock wave therein;

alignment means for alignment of said shock wave tube means with said target region; and

the shock wave tube means providing the planar shock wave with a sufficient intensity and the lens means sufficiently focusing it to permit disintegration of the calculus located in the body of the living being.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the shock wave tube means has a diameter of approximately 100 mm.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alignment means comprises a find adjustment means for adjustment of a depth of said focal point in said body.

4. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said alignment means comprises a fine adjustment means for adjustment of said focal point perpendicularly to an emission direction of said focussed shock wave.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lens means is a single acoustic convergent lens.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lens means is a lens system comprised of a plurality of acoustic lenses.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said lens system is comprised of an acoustic dispersing lens, of a condenser lens, and of an acoustic convergent lens.

8. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said lens means is displaceable relative to said tubular jacket in a longitudinal direction thereof.