US4892089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for comminuting kidney stones
Assignee: Duke University
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Filing: 1989-02-23
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Granted: 1990-01-09
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Expires: 2009-02-23
Abstract
Abstract A method for comminuting kidney stones including treating a stone to be comminuted with a renal matrix-attacking substance and applying acoustic impulses to the stone so as to pulverize the stone into fragments small enough to be passed through the ureter and urethra.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin H. Cocks
- 👤 Scott R. Akers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 22:52
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/225; A61K; A61K38/00; A61K38/16; A61K38/43; A61K38/46; A61K38/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for comminuting kidney stones with a lithotripter comprising: exposing a stone to be comminuted to a renal matrix-attacking substance, said substance being a substance other than acid; and applying acoustic impulses to said stone; whereby the renal matrix-attacking substance lowers the fracture strength of the stone to be comminuted so that the stone is more easily pulverized by the acoustic impulses.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
63 words
A method for comminuting kidney stones with a lithotripter comprising: exposing a stone to be comminuted to a renal matrix-attacking substance, said substance being a substance other than acid; and applying acoustic impulses to said stone; whereby the renal matrix-attacking substance lowers the fracture strength of the stone to be comminuted so that the stone is more easily pulverized by the acoustic impulses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the renal matrix-attacking substance is an enzyme.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the enzyme is peptidase.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the enzyme is protease.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the renal matrix-attacking substance is a denaturing agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
8 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for comminuting kidney stones with a lithotripter comprising: introducing a solution containing a renal matrix-attacking substance into a kidney such that a stone within the kidney is exposed to said solution, said substance being a substance other than acid; and applying focused intense acoustic impulses to the stone after introduction of said solution; whereby the stone is comminuted into fragments small enough to be passed through the ureter and urethra with minimized risk of damage to the kidney from said acoustic impulses.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for comminuting kidney stones with a lithotripter comprising: introducing a solution containing a renal matrix-attacking substance into a kidney such that a stone within the kidney is exposed to said solution, said substance being a substance other than acid; and applying focused intense acoustic impulses to the stone after introduction of said solution; whereby the stone is comminuted into fragments small enough to be passed through the ureter and urethra with minimized risk of damage to the kidney from said acoustic impulses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the solution comprises from about 30 to about 50 mg of peptidase and from about 40 to about 60 ml of distilled water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the solution comprises from about 90 to about 110 mg of protease and from about 40 to about 60 ml of distilled water.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
8 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein the acoustic impulses are applied by a lithotripter operated from about 18 kV to about 21 kV.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 7 wherein at least about 200 focused intense acoustic impulses are applied to the stone after introduction of said solution.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-08 | 1993-07-10 | 1994-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-08 | 1997-07-10 | 1998-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-08 | 2001-07-10 | 2002-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |