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Apparatus for contact-free disintegration of kidney stones or other calculi

Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
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Filing: 1980-05-08
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Granted: 1982-01-19
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Expires: 2000-05-08
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Abstract

Abstract This invention relates to apparatus for contact-free disintegration of kidney stones or other calculi of the kind in which electrical discharges are generated across an under water spark gap in the focus line of an elliptical reflector having annular or spiral surfaces. The calculus which is to be disintegrated is located into the focus of the reflector and in accordance with invention electrode elements are positioned at intervals in the focus line of this reflector on an insulating carrier. The latter is provided with high tension connectors at its ends and the electrode elements are arranged to form consecutive individual spark gaps. The gaps between the electrode elements may be of constant dimensions or may vary so as to produce variations in pressure distributed at a focus point if so desired.

Inventors

  • 👤 Eberhard Hausler

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 12:13
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/28; G10K15/00; G10K15/04; G10K15/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 118 words
In apparatus for contact-free shock wave disintegration of kidney stones or other calculi by generating electrical discharges across an underwater spark gap in the focus line of an elliptical reflector having two foci, namely, a first and second focus, and into whose second focus the calculus which is to be disintegrated is to be located, the improvement which consists in that plural electrode elements are positioned at intervals along the first focus of said reflector, said electrode elements being supported on an insulating carrier equipped with high tension connectors at the extremities, said connectors being electrically associated with the electrode elements, and said electrode elements being so spaced from one another as to form consecutive individual spark gaps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 118 words
In apparatus for contact-free shock wave disintegration of kidney stones or other calculi by generating electrical discharges across an underwater spark gap in the focus line of an elliptical reflector having two foci, namely, a first and second focus, and into whose second focus the calculus which is to be disintegrated is to be located, the improvement which consists in that plural electrode elements are positioned at intervals along the first focus of said reflector, said electrode elements being supported on an insulating carrier equipped with high tension connectors at the extremities, said connectors being electrically associated with the electrode elements, and said electrode elements being so spaced from one another as to form consecutive individual spark gaps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gaps between said electrode elements are of constant dimensions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 16 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the gaps between said electrode elements vary as to dimension.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3237623A Cited
US3785382A Cited
US3942531A Cited
US4094306A Cited
DE2650624A1 Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1985-01-18 1985-07-20 1986-01-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1989-01-18 1989-07-20 1990-01-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1993-01-18 1993-07-20 1994-01-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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