US4662375A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Alleviating pain during extracoporal lithotripsy
Assignee: Dornier System GmbH
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Filing: 1985-06-24
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2005-06-24
Abstract
Abstract In extracorporal lithotripsy a shock wave that is focussed on a concrement is followed by a pain producing pressure wave. This wave is filtered by means of a membrane bulging inwardly into the focussing chamber, closing the same and having a thickness smaller than the predominant wave length of the shock wave.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Hepp
- 👤 Gerold Heine
- 👤 Othmar Wess
- 👤 Ernst Marlinghaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 12:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/225; A61B17/2251; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/02; G10K11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
In equipment for extracorporal lithotripsy of nonanesthesized patients and including a rotationally-symmetrical, ellipsoidal focusing chamber having two focal points there being a shock wave generating source in one of the focal points, the focusing chamber being positionable so that the other focal point coincides with a concrement in a patient, which concrement is to be comminuted by shock waves, there being a water coupling path between the focusing chamber on one hand and the patient on the other hand the improvement of avoiding and attenuating pain, comprising: a spherically calotte shaped membrane made of a material with a high coefficient of elasticity and being clamped against and closing the focusing chamber and inwardly bulging towards the shock wave generating source, the wall thickness of the membrane being significantly shorter than the wavelength of a shock wave being produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
In equipment for extracorporal lithotripsy of nonanesthesized patients and including a rotationally-symmetrical, ellipsoidal focusing chamber having two focal points there being a shock wave generating source in one of the focal points, the focusing chamber being positionable so that the other focal point coincides with a concrement in a patient, which concrement is to be comminuted by shock waves, there being a water coupling path between the focusing chamber on one hand and the patient on the other hand the improvement of avoiding and attenuating pain, comprising: a spherically calotte shaped membrane made of a material with a high coefficient of elasticity and being clamped against and closing the focusing chamber and inwardly bulging towards the shock wave generating source, the wall thickness of the membrane being significantly shorter than the wavelength of a shock wave being produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as in claim 1 wherein the cross section of said membrane is an arch so that pressure loads will produce compression stress in the membrane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement as in claim 1 said membrane being configured so that its center of curvature coincides with said other focal point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The improvement as in claim 1 wherein said calotte membrane is clamped to the edge of the focusing chamber under utilization of a ring and tension screws for fastening the ring to the focusing chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The membrane as in claim 1 being made of steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The membrane as in claim 1 being made of a Cu-Be alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The membrane as in claim 1 being made of a carbon fiber reinforced synthetic.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement as in claim 1 including means for grounding for obtaining nonconduction and conductive separation between the interior of the focusing chamber containing the electrodes and any part that is in physical contact with a patient.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The membrane as in claim 1 having at least on one side a facet structure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The membrane as in claim 1 having a center thinner than the remainder of the membrane, the wall thickness continuously decreasing towards the center.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The membrane as in claim 1 being thinner in the center as well as in the edges as compared with the remainder of the membrane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement as in claim 1 and including an elastically deformable element in the vicinity of said source, the element being situated in recesses in the wall of the focusing chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement as in claim 1 there being a water inlet and a water discharge for the focusing chamber being situated in the vicinity of said membrane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |