Patent · US Expired

Shock wave lithotripter and method for using the same

US5072733A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
3References
13Claims
0Family size

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 14, 1990
Grant dateDec 17, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 14, 2010

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B17/2256
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A shock wave lithotripter includes a shock wave generator for producing shock waves that are focused at a focus point remote from the shock wave generator during operation of the lithotripter, and an ultrasound probe having a transducer for producing ultrasound beams defining a plane of radiation during a calibration mode of operation of the lithotripter. Associated with the ultrasound probe is a screen for showing a display of the region illuminated by the beams. During calibration, the free end of a focal point target is positioned at the focus point of the lithotripter. The probe is moved in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the radiation beams produced by the probe until the free end of the target is illuminated by the ultrasound radiation. The location on the screen of the free end of the target is marked to indicate the location of the focus point of the shock wave generator in the display. The target is removed, and the lithotripter is then positioned relative to a patient such that a stone in the body of the patient, as displayed on the screen associated with the ultrasound scan, coincides with the mark on the screen representing the focus point of the lithotripter.…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.