Aiming system for kidney stone disintegrator
US4763652A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1986 |
| Grant date | Aug 16, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2006 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4218
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A kidney stone disintegrating system includes a computer-controlled aiming system. The disintegrating system includes a reflector containing water through which the reflector is coupled to a living body having a kidney stone. The reflector is a portion of an ellipsoid and a spark gap generator is located at one focus of the ellipsoid. An electrical energy source is connected to the spark gap generator for generating a spark which in turn generates a shock wave in the fluid. Three motors are connected to the reflector for moving it in respectively X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions to locate the reflector so that the kidney stone lies at the second focus point thereof. A pair of ultrasound transducers are carried by an articulated support comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected arms. Precision potentiometers are provided between the arms to indicate the relative positions thereof, and electrical potentials from the potentiometers are connected to a computer. The signals and the computer are connected to a monitor having a screen to display the kidney stone, and particularly the position thereof as determined by the two transducers. The computer is connected to the three…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.