US5058590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for dispersing fluids for dissolution or concretions in a bodily cavity
Assignee: Richard Wolf GmbH
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Filing: 1989-05-01
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2009-05-01
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for dissolving concretions within a bodily cavity, for example in the gall bladder, under the action of a solvent fluid applied within the bodily cavity, comprises an ultrasonic transducer arranged to be coupled to the exterior of the patient's body and to be focussed on selected parts of the bodily cavity. The transducer emits ultrasonic waves within a frequency range of between 20 and 40 kHz and with just enough power to generate cavitations in bodily cavity fluid within the body cavity, or in the solvent fluid, or in both of these fluids to cause dispersion therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Helmut Wurster
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/225; A61B17/22004; A61B2017/22005; A61B2017/22007; A61B2017/22008; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for dissolving concretions within a bodily cavity of a patient to be treated, under the action of a solvent fluid in contact with bodily cavity fluid within said cavity, the apparatus comprising means for introducing a solvent fluid into said bodily cavity for mixture with said bodily cavity fluid, an ultrasonic transducer adapted for coupling to the exterior of the patient's body, and being provided with means for emitting ultrasonic waves focussed on at least one of said fluids in said cavity, within a frequency range of from 20 to 40 kHz and having sufficient power to produce cavitation in at least one of said fluids to cause dispersion therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
Apparatus for dissolving concretions within a bodily cavity of a patient to be treated, under the action of a solvent fluid in contact with bodily cavity fluid within said cavity, the apparatus comprising means for introducing a solvent fluid into said bodily cavity for mixture with said bodily cavity fluid, an ultrasonic transducer adapted for coupling to the exterior of the patient's body, and being provided with means for emitting ultrasonic waves focussed on at least one of said fluids in said cavity, within a frequency range of from 20 to 40 kHz and having sufficient power to produce cavitation in at least one of said fluids to cause dispersion therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transducer is of sandwich construction and has a concave end surface for coupling to said exterior of the patient's body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said transducer comprises a steel member, a pair of juxtaposed piezo-electric ceramic plates and an aluminum member in which said concave end surface is formed, said steel and aluminum members being secured together with said ceramic plates therebetween, and said apparatus further comprises a generator for producing electrical oscillations, and means connecting said ceramic plates to said generator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducer is a spherical ultrasonic resonator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transducer comprises a steel member, a layer of piezo-electric ceramic elements, and an aluminum member secured together in juxtaposed relationship with said layer of ceramic elements between said steel member and said aluminum member, and said apparatus further comprises a generator for producing electrical oscillations, and means for connecting said ceramic elements to said generator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transducer is provided with locating means for establishing the position of said concretions in said bodily cavity, for aligning the focus of said transducer with said concretions, and for establishing the extent of dissolution of said concretions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-10-21 | 1995-04-22 | 1995-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-10-21 | 1999-04-22 | 1999-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-10-21 | 2003-04-22 | 2003-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |