Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
180 words
In a method for laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy comprising: a. surrounding a concrement to be destroyed with an aqueous solution and b. feeding pulsed laser radiation of a wave length situated on the infrared region via an optical wave guide to the immediate vicinity of the concrement, whereby said laser radiation in a vicinity of the surface of the concrement is concentrated, thereby generating in said aqueous solution laser-induced breakdowns, said breakdowns effecting shockwaves and cavitation in said aqueous solution in the immediate vicinity of said concrement, and thereby destroying the concrement with said shockwaves while the concrement is continuously rinsed with the aqueous solution during said pulsed laser radiation, wherein the improvement comprises said aqueous solution containing at least one metal compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble salts of metals of the ferrous group of the periodic table, complex compounds of said metals of the ferrous group of the periodic table, water-soluble salts of magnesium and water soluble salts of calcium, said metal compound being present in a concentration not exceeding 50 mmol/l, based on its metal content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
180 words
In a method for laser-induced shockwave lithotripsy comprising: a. surrounding a concrement to be destroyed with an aqueous solution and b. feeding pulsed laser radiation of a wave length situated on the infrared region via an optical wave guide to the immediate vicinity of the concrement, whereby said laser radiation in a vicinity of the surface of the concrement is concentrated, thereby generating in said aqueous solution laser-induced breakdowns, said breakdowns effecting shockwaves and cavitation in said aqueous solution in the immediate vicinity of said concrement, and thereby destroying the concrement with said shockwaves while the concrement is continuously rinsed with the aqueous solution during said pulsed laser radiation, wherein the improvement comprises said aqueous solution containing at least one metal compound selected from the group consisting of water-soluble salts of metals of the ferrous group of the periodic table, complex compounds of said metals of the ferrous group of the periodic table, water-soluble salts of magnesium and water soluble salts of calcium, said metal compound being present in a concentration not exceeding 50 mmol/l, based on its metal content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aqueous solution additionally contains at least one physiologically compatible additive which is inert to said metal compound, in an amount necessary to alter the osmolarity of said aqueous solution to a level which corresponds substantially to that of a physiologically saline solution.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the physiologically compatible additive is common salt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the aqueous solution has a pH in the range of 4 to 8.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the metal-compound dissolved in the aqueous solution is a complex compound of trivalent iron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal-compound dissolved in the aqueous solution is a complex compound of trivalent iron with citrate, which is present in a concentration of 1 to 5 mmol/l based on the iron content of said complex compounds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal compound dissolved in the aqueous solution is a complex compound of trivalent iron with tartrate, which is present in a concentration of 0.015 to 1 mmol/l based on the iron content of said complex compounds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal compound dissolved in the aqueous solution is an iron (III)-dextran complex, which is present in a concentration of 0.015 to 1 mmol/l based on the iron content of said dextran complex.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the metal compound dissolved in the aqueous solution is a soluble salt of magnesium, which is present in a concentration of 1 to 50 mmol/l.