Methods and apparatuses for generating a steerable pressure field in a shock wave lithotripter

US9456835B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Duke University · US

Inventors

• Pei Zhong · Chapel Hill, US
• Walter Neal Simmons · Durham, US
• Georgy N. Sankin · Durham, US
• Nathan Smith · Olds, CA
• Franklin H. Cocks · Durham, US
• Glenn M. Preminger · Chapel Hill, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 23, 2012
• Grant date: Oct 4, 2016
• Expiry date: Jul 25, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B17/225
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Lithotripter apparatuses and methods are provided for selectively modifying an acoustic pressure field and can include a shock wave source operable to generate a shock wave having a substantially axisymmetric acoustic pressure field, an acoustic focusing member positioned between the shock wave source and a target, and an acoustic barrier positioned between the shock wave source and the acoustic focusing member. The acoustic barrier can be operable to selectively block a portion of the shock wave generated by the shock wave source such that the substantially axisymmetric pressure field is transformed into a modified acoustic pressure field.