US5383455A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the generation of focussed acoustic pressure or shock waves for therapeutical applications with an x-ray locating device
Assignee: Storz Medical AG
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Filing: 1992-03-24
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Granted: 1995-01-24
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Expires: 2012-03-24
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for destroying a concretion in a patient with focussed pressure waves includes a pressure wave source for generating focussed pressure waves focussed at a pressure wave focal point for destroying a concretion in a patient, an X-ray source for emitting X-rays, an X-ray receiver for receiving the X-rays from the X-ray source, and an aiming device for enabling the concentration to be positioned at the pressure wave focal point. The aiming device is disposed in an X-ray path between the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver for projecting a pattern on the X-ray receiver when the X-ray source emits X-rays. The aiming device has a structure such that the pattern projected on the X-ray receiver is independent of a location of the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver, and such that a line connecting the X-ray source and a center of the pattern projected on the X-ray receiver always extends through a fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the fixed point in space outside the aiming device being located at a predetermined position relative to the pressure wave focal point.
Inventors
- 👤 Ulrich Hagelauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/225; A61B17/2255; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/00902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for destroying a concretion in a patient with focussed pressure waves, the apparatus comprising: a pressure wave source for generating focussed pressure waves focussed at a pressure wave focal point for destroying a concretion in a patient; an X-ray source for emitting X-rays; an X-ray receiver for receiving the X-rays from the X-ray source; and an aiming device for enabling the concretion to be positioned at the pressure wave focal point, the aiming device being disposed in an X-ray path between the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver for projecting a pattern on the X-ray receiver when the X-ray source emits X-rays, the aiming device having a structure such that the pattern projected on the X-ray receiver is independent of a location of the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver, and such that a line connecting the X-ray source and a center of the pattern projected on the X-ray receiver always extends through a fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the fixed point in space outside the aiming device being located at a predetermined position relative to the pressure wave focal point.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
186 words
An apparatus for destroying a concretion in a patient with focussed pressure waves, the apparatus comprising: a pressure wave source for generating focussed pressure waves focussed at a pressure wave focal point for destroying a concretion in a patient; an X-ray source for emitting X-rays; an X-ray receiver for receiving the X-rays from the X-ray source; and an aiming device for enabling the concretion to be positioned at the pressure wave focal point, the aiming device being disposed in an X-ray path between the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver for projecting a pattern on the X-ray receiver when the X-ray source emits X-rays, the aiming device having a structure such that the pattern projected on the X-ray receiver is independent of a location of the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver, and such that a line connecting the X-ray source and a center of the pattern projected on the X-ray receiver always extends through a fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the fixed point in space outside the aiming device being located at a predetermined position relative to the pressure wave focal point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for moving the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver relative to the aiming device to at least two different positions relative to the aiming device, thereby enabling the pattern to be projected on the X-ray receiver at the at least two different positions of the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver relative to the aiming device, thereby providing at least two different pattern projection directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed point in space outside the aiming device coincides with the pressure wave focal point.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixed point in space outside the aiming device is located a predetermined distance from the pressure wave focal point, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for moving the patient between a first position at which the concretion is located at the fixed point in space outside the aiming device and a second position at which the concretion is located at the pressure wave focal point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device includes a plate and structures in the plate, the structures defining the pattern and being aimed at the fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the plate and the structures having mutually different X-ray transmission characteristics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plate is a plane plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plate is a curved plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the curved plate is a spherical section of a hollow sphere, the hollow sphere having a center coinciding with the fixed point in space outside the aiming device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plate absorbs X-rays and the structures are transparent to X-rays.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the structures are channels in the plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plate is transparent to X-rays and the structures absorb X-rays.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the structures are pins disposed in the plate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device includes two plates and structures disposed between the plates, the structures defining the pattern and being aimed at the fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the plates and the structures having mutually different X-ray transmission characteristics.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plates are plane plates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plates are curved plates.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein each of the curved plates is a spherical section of a respective hollow sphere, the respective hollow sphere having a respective center coinciding with the fixed point in space outside the aiming device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the plates are transparent to X-rays and the structures absorb X-rays.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the structures are pins.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
74 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device includes a plurality of plates disposed one on top another to form a plurality of layers, and structures in surfaces of the plates, the structures being arranged such that the structures define lines defining the pattern, the lines defining the pattern being aimed at the fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the plates and the structures having mutually different X-ray transmission characteristics.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the plates are plane plates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the plates are curved plates.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each of the curved plates is a spherical section of a respective hollow sphere, the respective hollow sphere having a respective center coinciding with the fixed point in space outside the aiming device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the plates absorb X-rays and the structures are transparent to X-rays.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the structures are voids in the surfaces of the plates.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the plates are transparent to X-rays and the structures absorb X-rays.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the structures are X-ray absorbing material disposed in the surfaces of the plates.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the aiming device includes a plate with a honeycomb structure having chambers defining the pattern, the chambers defining the pattern being aimed at the fixed point in space outside the aiming device, the plate and the chambers having mutually different X-ray transmission characteristics.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plate is a plane plate.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the plate is a curved plate.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 29, wherein the curved plate is a spherical section of a hollow sphere, the hollow sphere having a center coinciding with the fixed point in space outside the aiming device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5070861A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |