초록 ▼

Apparatus and method for noninvasive fragmentation of body concretions. The apparatus has an integral unit including an ultrasonic locating transducer a relative position determining device, a shockwave generating device and a positioning structure. The method for locating a body concretion includes

Apparatus and method for noninvasive fragmentation of body concretions. The apparatus has an integral unit including an ultrasonic locating transducer a relative position determining device, a shockwave generating device and a positioning structure. The method for locating a body concretion includes the steps of locating the body concretion with ultrasonics, the position of the shockwave generating device relative to the concretion, accurately positioning the shockwave generating device at the location of the concretion and then shattering the concretion by generating a shockwave. The shockwave generating device includes a reflector with first and second foci, a location verifying ultrasonic transducer which is positioned so that an axis of the verifying transducer is coincident with a straight line passing through the first and second foci and a spark gap at the first focus which generates the shockwave.

대표청구항 ▼

A device for the noninvasive fragmentation of a concretion within a body of a patient, comprising: patient support means; a first ultrasonic transducer mounted on said patient support means, said first ultrasonic transducer being used to locate said concretion; a second ultrasonic trnsducer for loca

A device for the noninvasive fragmentation of a concretion within a body of a patient, comprising: patient support means; a first ultrasonic transducer mounted on said patient support means, said first ultrasonic transducer being used to locate said concretion; a second ultrasonic trnsducer for locating said concretion; a reflector comprising a portion of an ellipsoid of revolution with an open end and a closed end, said second ultrasonic transducer being attached to said closed end, said reflector having a first focus and a second focus, said second ultrasonic transducer being positioned so that an axis of the second ultrasonic transducer is coincident with the straight line extending through the first and second foci; relative positioning means for determining the relative position of said reflector to the location of said concretion as determined by said first ultrasonic transducer and providing a relative position signal indicative of the relative position of said reflector; reflector positioning means for positioning said reflector at the location of said concretion in response to said relative position signal from said relative positioning means and wherein said concretion is located at the second focus of said reflector using said second ultrasonic transducer; shockwave generating means for generating a shockwave at said first focus; and acoustical coupling means for acoustically coupling said shockwave from said first focus through a portion of said body to said second focus whereby said shockwave is concentrated at said concretion.