Non-invasive destruction of kidney stones
US4696299A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1986 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/28
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus for the non-invasive disintegration of kidney stones and the like. An ellipsoidal reflector open at one end is positionable against the body, and may have a diaphragm across the opened end to prevent leakage of water contained in the reflector. A spark gap is located at the first focal point of the ellipsoid, and sonic aiming means is physically interconnected with the ellipsoid for aiming the ellipsoid at the kidney stone or the like to locate the kidney stone at the second focal point of the ellipsoid. A series of sparks discharged across the spark gap generates a succession of shock waves that travel through water in the reflector, and through the body to impinge on the kidney stone or the like and thereby to disintegrate the same.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.