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US5059200A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Laser lithotripsy

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-04-06
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Granted: 1991-10-22
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Expires: 2010-04-06
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Abstract

Abstract A laser lithotriptor includes a laser adapted to emit pulsed light which is absorbed by water in the vicinity of a human stone or concrement to cause rapid erosion of the stone. A light transmitting device such as a fibreoptic cable is employed inside of an endoscope to direct the laser pulses to the vicinity of the stones. An irrigation apparatus also ensures that the tip of the light transmitting device and the stone are continuously immersed in water and also serves to remove the powder-like debris of the disintegrated stone from the body. Preferably, a NdYAG laser operating at 1.44 μm which emits 27 pulses per second is coupled to the body stone through an anhydrous quartz fibreoptic cable passing through the interior of an endoscope.

Inventors

  • 👤 John Tulip

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-23 14:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; A61B18/22; A61B18/26; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B2017/22082; A61B2017/22085; A61B2018/00964; A61B2018/0097

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
A laser lithotripter for destroying a human concrement comprising: light transmission means having a tip end locatable adjacent a concrement, said concrement located in a human body; a liquid capable of absorbing a chosen frequency of a pulsed laser light; a source of pulsed laser light having a chosen frequency that at least matches a peak absorption value of said liquid disposed to provide pulsed laser light to the light transmission means, whereby the pulsed laser light exits the light transmission means at the tip end of the light transmission means and is absorbed by said liquid, said source of laser light and liquid defining means creating micro-explosions in the liquid adjacent the concrement, said micro-explosions being the primary source of concrement destruction; and means for supplying the liquid to the vicinity of the concrement and for removing the liquid from the body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 143 words
A laser lithotripter for destroying a human concrement comprising: light transmission means having a tip end locatable adjacent a concrement, said concrement located in a human body; a liquid capable of absorbing a chosen frequency of a pulsed laser light; a source of pulsed laser light having a chosen frequency that at least matches a peak absorption value of said liquid disposed to provide pulsed laser light to the light transmission means, whereby the pulsed laser light exits the light transmission means at the tip end of the light transmission means and is absorbed by said liquid, said source of laser light and liquid defining means creating micro-explosions in the liquid adjacent the concrement, said micro-explosions being the primary source of concrement destruction; and means for supplying the liquid to the vicinity of the concrement and for removing the liquid from the body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 12 words
The laser lithotriptor of claim 1 in which the liquid comprises water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
The laser lithotriptor of claim 2 in which the source of pulsed laser light is a 1.44 μm NdYAG laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The laser lithotriptor of claim 1 in which the light transmission means is an optic fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The laser lithotriptor of claim 1 in which the light transmission means is a hollow light guide.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4266549A Cited
US4583539A Cited
US4559942A Cited
US4799479A Cited
DE3506249A1 Cited
US4950266A Cited
US4932954A Cited

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

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