Method and device for disintegrating stones in human ducts

Claim 1

Method for removing concretions within human ducts comprising: A. axially abutting a concretion within a human duct, while outwardly distending the walls of said duct adjacent said concretion; B. generating a series of high voltage electrical pulses of sufficiently low amperage to avoid harm to human tissues; C. directing said pulses within an insulating medium extending into said duct to the situs of said concretion D. selectively discharging said pulses radially outwardly across the surface of said concreation; and E. flowing a liquid peripherally of said discharging of pulses, so as to direct an hydroelectric impact against said concretion.

Claim 7

A device for removing concretions within human ducts comprising: A. a a flexible conduit of inert material of a size to be extensible within said ducts to the situs of said concretions and having an inlet and an outlet and including: i. a flexible positive electrode extending coaxially within and terminating at said outlet of said conduit and being embedded in electrically insulative material; and ii. a negativve electrode peripherally embedded in said conduit apart from said positive electrode and terminating at said outlet of said conduit, as a continuous electrically conductive surface encircling and coextensive with said positive electrode, said negative electrode being supported apart from said positive electrode so as to define a liquid carrying outer annulus extending the length of said conduit, such that liquid may be delivered simultaneously and coextensively with an electrical discharge, as hydroelectric cavitation upon said concretions and as insulating medium intermediate said electrodes, B. a harp distender supported at said outlet of said flexible conduit and extending beyond said electrodes, means for moving said sharp distender so as to distend outwardly said ducts in the area of said electrodes; and C. a high voltage, low amperage pulse generating apparatus operatively connected to said positive electrode and said negative electrode, such that electrical discharges radiate from said positive electrode across the surface of said concretions.

Claim 8

A device for removing concretions within human ducts comprising: A. a a flexible conduit of inert material of a size to be extensible within said ducts to the situs of said concretions and having an inlet and an outlet and including: i. a flexible positive electrode extending coaxially within and terminating at said outlet of said conduit and being embedded in electrically insulative material; and ii. a negativve electrode peripherally embedded in said conduit apart from said positive electrode and terminating at said outlet of said conduit, as a continuous electrically conductive surface encircling and coextensive with said positive electrode, said negative electrode being supported apart from said positive electrode so as to define a liquid carrying outer annulus extending the length of said conduit, such that liquid may be delivered simultaneously and coextensively with an electrical discharge, as hydroelectric cavitation upon said concretions and as insulating medium intermediate said electrodes, B. a harp distender supported at said outlet of said flexible conduit and extending beyond said electrodes, means for moving said sharp distender so as to distend outwardly said ducts in the area of said electrodes; and C. a high voltage, low amperage pulse generating apparatus operatively connected to said positive electrode and said negative electrode, such that electrical discharges radiate from said positive electrode across the surface of said concretions.