CA2050916A1 - Acoustic impact delivery catheter with end cap - Google Patents
Acoustic impact delivery catheter with end capInfo
- Publication number
- CA2050916A1 CA2050916A1 CA 2050916 CA2050916A CA2050916A1 CA 2050916 A1 CA2050916 A1 CA 2050916A1 CA 2050916 CA2050916 CA 2050916 CA 2050916 A CA2050916 A CA 2050916A CA 2050916 A1 CA2050916 A1 CA 2050916A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- end cap
- guide
- energy
- cap
- applying
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Method and apparatus for fracturing hard deposits such as urinary and biliary stones and atherosclerotic plaque in the human body. A flexible guide having a hard mass capping an end is adapted for insertion through a fluid passage in a living body. An energy source creates a rapid vapor expansion adjacent to the cap causing it to undergo a pulse like movement, imparting a high-velocity impulse to an adjacent deposit, thereby fracturing it. The energy source may be a laser with a fiber optic delivery system in the guide terminating adjacent to the cap to cause vaporization of the mass cap to create the vapor expansion. The energy source may be a spark generator with a conductor associated with the guide to deliver a fluid vaporizing spark adjacent to the mass cap. Other forms of rapid energy delivery such as chemical detonations or ballistic impact may also be applicable.
Method and apparatus for fracturing hard deposits such as urinary and biliary stones and atherosclerotic plaque in the human body. A flexible guide having a hard mass capping an end is adapted for insertion through a fluid passage in a living body. An energy source creates a rapid vapor expansion adjacent to the cap causing it to undergo a pulse like movement, imparting a high-velocity impulse to an adjacent deposit, thereby fracturing it. The energy source may be a laser with a fiber optic delivery system in the guide terminating adjacent to the cap to cause vaporization of the mass cap to create the vapor expansion. The energy source may be a spark generator with a conductor associated with the guide to deliver a fluid vaporizing spark adjacent to the mass cap. Other forms of rapid energy delivery such as chemical detonations or ballistic impact may also be applicable.
Description
~O ~762 CT/US90/~9W
~OUSTIC IMPAC~ DE~IVERY CA~H~TER WI~H END CAP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for fracturing hard formations in the body, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for transferring ener~y to the end cap of a fle~ible guide which imparts a high-velocity impulse to a target deposit thereby fracturing it.
BACK~ROUND OF THE INVENTION
Calciferous and similar deposits occur in body fluid passages of various type~. Of particular interest are kidney and gall stones as well as arterial plaque.
Radiation in various forms has been used for destroying or removing such deposits from the internal passages of the ~ody. In one form of laser therapy, radiation is directed onto a light-receiving surface of a heat-generating element. The element is then placed in contact with the target deposit, melting it. This approach has several drawbacks which include:
l. thermal damage to surrou~ding tissue;
.- only fatty plaques readily melt;
3. more ad~anced fibrous and calcified plaques form char and debris, and 4. the hot element adheres to the tissue rupturing it when the elem~nt is removed.
In another approach, laser radiation is applied directly to the target deposit to ablate it or produce shock waves that induce fragmentation. Direct lasertripsy has several disadvantages. Laser energy often damages heal~hy tissue surrounding the target deposit by direct W~ ~762 PCT/~S90/~90~
~OUSTIC IMPAC~ DE~IVERY CA~H~TER WI~H END CAP
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for fracturing hard formations in the body, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for transferring ener~y to the end cap of a fle~ible guide which imparts a high-velocity impulse to a target deposit thereby fracturing it.
BACK~ROUND OF THE INVENTION
Calciferous and similar deposits occur in body fluid passages of various type~. Of particular interest are kidney and gall stones as well as arterial plaque.
Radiation in various forms has been used for destroying or removing such deposits from the internal passages of the ~ody. In one form of laser therapy, radiation is directed onto a light-receiving surface of a heat-generating element. The element is then placed in contact with the target deposit, melting it. This approach has several drawbacks which include:
l. thermal damage to surrou~ding tissue;
.- only fatty plaques readily melt;
3. more ad~anced fibrous and calcified plaques form char and debris, and 4. the hot element adheres to the tissue rupturing it when the elem~nt is removed.
In another approach, laser radiation is applied directly to the target deposit to ablate it or produce shock waves that induce fragmentation. Direct lasertripsy has several disadvantages. Laser energy often damages heal~hy tissue surrounding the target deposit by direct W~ ~762 PCT/~S90/~90~
- 2 - ~ J j ~J.~3 absorption or by acting as a general heat sink for the high temperature plasma. Some deposits only weakly absorb radiation thereby requiring greater radiation e~posure and damage. A sharp laser delivery fiber can cause damage if inadvertently jabbed into healthy tissue.
~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for seleGtively fracturing hard deposits in fluid containing body passages with the impact of small jack hammer like blows from a capped fle~ible guide inserted through the body passage to the location of a deposit to be fractured.
In implementing the invention, a fle~ible wire guide terminating with a hard mass or end cap is provided for insertion through a fluid containing body passage. An energy source and delivery system in the fle~ible guide provide a pulse of energy in the vicinity of the cap to produce a rapid vapor e~pansion that causes the end cap to un~ergo a pulse like movement as the vapor e~pands against the fluid medium of the passage to impart a high-velocity impulse ~o the target deposit. A means for fluid exchange between the interior and e~terior of the apparatus is provided in the end cap region to insure the presence of fluid for increasing the direct impulse against the cap.
In a firsl: embodiment of the invention, the energy source is a pulsed laser and the delivery system is an optical fiber pa~sin~ through the guide to terminate adjacent to a metal end ~ap. The laser energy causes vaporization of a ~mall portion of the end cap to create the vapor e~pansion that drives the end cap forward against the inertia of the fluid.
In a second embodiment, the energy source is a pulsed voltage sourc~ and a pair of conductors, one of which may be the wire guide, comprising the delivery WO ~n~62 crlus~/~so~
system. The conductors terminate in a spark gap adjacent to the end cap. A spark pulse causes fluid vaporization adjacent to the end cap, thereby driving it forward as a reaction.
An advantage of the invention includes the end cap's protection of surrounding healthy tissue rom direct laser radiation and thermal radiation from the laser-produced plasma of the vapor e~pansion which forms against the inside ~urface of the end cap. A further advantage of the invention is the elimination of inad~ertent puncturing of healthy tissue by a sharply pointed laser delivery fiber.
In the laser embodiment, the end cap is fabricated to e~hibit good laser absorption providing a reliable, reproducible vapor expansion independent of the absorption characteristics of the target deposit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood from the following solely esemplary detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;
Fig. 1 is a diaqram of one embodiment of the invention which utilize~ a laser-produced vapor e~pansion to dri~e a hard mass to contact and fragment a target dePosit;
Fig. 2 is a diagram of a ~econd embodiment of the invention which utilizes an electrically-produced ~park discharge that produces a vapor e~pansion to drive a hard mass, to contact and fragment a target deposit;
Fig. 3 is a diagram of a variant of the invention of Fig. 2 which utilizes an electrically-produced plasma from a central two wire conductor to drive an internally confined spring-loaded end cap to fragment a target deposit;
Fig. 4 is a diaqram of a further variant of the invention of Fig. 2 which utilizes an W~ ~/~762 P~r/US90/~9~
,J' ~. j ,j ~J~ ~ 13 electrically-produced plasma from a central two wire conductor to drive an internally confined stainless steel end cap with irrigation ports, to contact and fragment a target deposit;
Fig. 5 is a diagram of the fragmentation system of the invention inside a body passage with fragmented target deposits at its distal end and a positioning fluoroscope;
and Fig. 6 is a diagram of an end cap of the inven~ion demonstrating the pulse-like advancement of the end cap with subsequent fracturing of the target deposit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E INVENT~ON
The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for driving a small, hard mass into fracturing, high velocity contact with hard deposits in fluid-conta~ning body passages.
A first embodiment of th~ invention is illustrated in Fiq . 1~ A flesible wire guide 10, which typically comprises a commercially available, helically wound French No. 3 guide (0.85 - 1.00m diameter3 has an end cap 12, the cap and guide are typically of stainless steel or other material which, in response to laser radiation, will vaporize, in a rapid vapor e~pansion. An optical fiber 14 (typicall~ a 200 micron core) i~ fed through the wire guide 10 and terminates at a point 16, a short distance from the end cap 12. Laser radiation emanating from the termination 16 ~trikes the end cap and is absorbed by the metal of the end cap 12, ~au~ing vaporization of a small portion of the metal. In ~ctual use, the helical winaings of the gui~e 10 are ope~ed ~n a terminal portion lB, for e~ample by stretching the last few coils, to facilitate the entry of fluid from body passa~es, in which the guide is inserted, into the region of the t~rmination 16. The rapid vapor espansion, typically of shock wave nature, ~O ~t~762 ~/US90/~W
generates a forward pressure impulse on the cap 12, in the nature of a miniature jack hammer.
Where the cap 12 has been inser~ed in a body passage, typically the urethra to a kidney stone, it is 5 capable of fragmenting pieces of the kidney stone, such as the stone 20, to which it comes into contact. The presence of the body fluid creates a mass within the region of the termination 16 where the vapor espansion occurs which confines the espansion and permits a large 10 portion of the energy of the vapor espansion to be directed against the end cap 12 producing a high-velocity, short forward impulse.
The source of radiation applied to the fiber 14 is a laser system 22. Laser system 22 is typically a tunable 15 dye laser. The laser is operated in the mode of producing pulses of approsimately 1 microsecond duration and approximately 50 millijoule energy level. Other pulsed laser systems capable of promptly initiating a plasma against the cap and compatible with optical fiber transmission would also be acceptable enerqy sources.
This would include, for esample, solid state laser systems such as Alesandrite. A pulsed output be-am 29 from the laser 22 is applied to an optical coupling system 26 which in turn applies the pulsed radiation in beam 24 onto 25 optical fiber 14. The fiber 14 pas~es through a clamp 28 connected to the guide 10 and operative to hold the fiber termination 16 at a predetermined distance from the cap 12. A potting compound near the termination may be used to secure the fiber termination.
3n A second embodiment of the inventiGn is illustrated in Fig~ 2. As shown there a wire guide ~0, which may be similar to the guide 10 in Fig. 1 and typically of a size corresponding to French No. 3, terminates in an end cap 42 at a distal end 44 of the wire guide 40. The wire guide 35 is typically helically wound as described before and the termin~tion 4~ has helical wires of augmented spacing, for W~ )/~762 PCT/US~/~ ~4 e~ample, by being stretched, to permit the flow of fluid through an interior portion.
A wire conductor 46 is inserted through the wire guide 40, spaced and insulated from the helically wound 5 wires of the guide 40. The inner conductor 46 terminates at a point 48, ad~acent to the cap 42. The wire may be held in place by a positioning clamp 50, or potted in place with an adhesive as described ~bove with respect to Fig. 1.
A spark generator 52, which can be a Wolfe 2137.50 or Northgate Research SDl, available in the art, has its output applied on conductors 54 and 56, the conductors are connected to the inner conductor 46 of the guide 40 and the outer helical windings of the guide 40. The spark 15 generator 52 produces an output pulse of up to several microseconds, at several KV and up to lKA current. The spark generated between the termination 48 of the inner conductor 46 and the e~d cap 42 causes a vapor e~pansion of the fluid entering the tip portion 44 and/or the metal 20 Of the cap 42 creating a jack hammer like shock impulse movement of the end cap 42, permitting it to fracture calciferouæ deposit~ which it contacts.
A different ~ersion of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 is æhown with respect to Fig. 3. A wire guide 60, typically of the type illustrated above, though not nec~æsarily having a conducting outer shell, has a termination 62 which may be an open helical portion of the wire ~uide of the prior embo~iment~. An end cap 64 is applie~ to the aistal end of the wire guide 60. A dual 30 conductor tranæmission line 66 pasæes centrally through the wire guide 60 terminating ~t ~ point 68 adjacent to the cap 64. The transm~ssion line 66 contains first and æecond conductor~ 70 and 72 which terminate to provide a spark gap at the termination 68. The gap is selected to 35 pro~ide, in response to energization from a spark generator 7~, of the type illustrated above with respect W~) r J0~6~2 ~/IJS90/(~0904 ~ 7 - ~ ~J ~ J-, ~
to Fig. 2, a vaporization of the fluid within the terminal portion 62 generating an impulse motion of the cap 64. A
transmission line of the type provided with the above-identified supplier of the spark generator and intended for independent insertion into body passages is 5 suitable for insertion within the guide 60.
Fig. 4 illustrates a further version of the embodiment of Fig. 2. A spark generator 80 is provided, and a two conductor transmission line 82 con~ucts the output of the spark generator through a guide 84 into a 10 stainless steel end cap 86. The end cap 86 is typically cemented to the distal end 88 of the wire guide 84.
Apertures 90 are provided in the end cap 86 ~o permit body passage fluids to enter the interior of the end cap B6 to a point 92 where the conductors in the transmission lS cable 92 terminate in a spark gap. The terminal portions of the end cap 86 wire guide 84, where it connects to the end cap 86, are typically resilient enough to permit the impulses gçnerated by the spark from the spark gap 92 termination to drive the e~d cap 86 forward in jack hammer 20 fashion to permit fracturing of hard deposits to which it is directed.
In actual use, and as illustrated in Fig. 5, a wire guide 100 according to the present invention is inserted through a body pa'ssaqe 102 such as the urethra, for kidney 25 stone fracturing t the biliary duct for gall stone fracturing and an artery for arterial plaque break-up.
The end tip 104 of the wire guide 100 is guided by fluoroscopy. An X-ray source 106 and viewing display lOB
permit the end of the wire guide 100 to be positioned 30 adjacsnt to a hard deposit 110 to be fractured as illustrated.
Fig. 6 is an illustration of the dynamics by whioh an end cap 120 is jaek hammered or shock driven forward into a hard deposit 122 by a spark generated by a 35 discharge in a ~park gap 126.
. . ,, . , .. .. . . . ~ .. .. ~. ~ ....... . . ..
WO ~/~762 PCT/US~/~M
~ 'J ;3 ~ '''J ~
Impulse delivery systems other than laser or spar~, such as chemical reaction, trigger remotely by signals supplied by a guide, may be used.
It will be understood that all matter herein 5 described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative only and is not to limit the invention defined in the following clai~s.
~MMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for seleGtively fracturing hard deposits in fluid containing body passages with the impact of small jack hammer like blows from a capped fle~ible guide inserted through the body passage to the location of a deposit to be fractured.
In implementing the invention, a fle~ible wire guide terminating with a hard mass or end cap is provided for insertion through a fluid containing body passage. An energy source and delivery system in the fle~ible guide provide a pulse of energy in the vicinity of the cap to produce a rapid vapor e~pansion that causes the end cap to un~ergo a pulse like movement as the vapor e~pands against the fluid medium of the passage to impart a high-velocity impulse ~o the target deposit. A means for fluid exchange between the interior and e~terior of the apparatus is provided in the end cap region to insure the presence of fluid for increasing the direct impulse against the cap.
In a firsl: embodiment of the invention, the energy source is a pulsed laser and the delivery system is an optical fiber pa~sin~ through the guide to terminate adjacent to a metal end ~ap. The laser energy causes vaporization of a ~mall portion of the end cap to create the vapor e~pansion that drives the end cap forward against the inertia of the fluid.
In a second embodiment, the energy source is a pulsed voltage sourc~ and a pair of conductors, one of which may be the wire guide, comprising the delivery WO ~n~62 crlus~/~so~
system. The conductors terminate in a spark gap adjacent to the end cap. A spark pulse causes fluid vaporization adjacent to the end cap, thereby driving it forward as a reaction.
An advantage of the invention includes the end cap's protection of surrounding healthy tissue rom direct laser radiation and thermal radiation from the laser-produced plasma of the vapor e~pansion which forms against the inside ~urface of the end cap. A further advantage of the invention is the elimination of inad~ertent puncturing of healthy tissue by a sharply pointed laser delivery fiber.
In the laser embodiment, the end cap is fabricated to e~hibit good laser absorption providing a reliable, reproducible vapor expansion independent of the absorption characteristics of the target deposit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more fully understood from the following solely esemplary detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which;
Fig. 1 is a diaqram of one embodiment of the invention which utilize~ a laser-produced vapor e~pansion to dri~e a hard mass to contact and fragment a target dePosit;
Fig. 2 is a diagram of a ~econd embodiment of the invention which utilizes an electrically-produced ~park discharge that produces a vapor e~pansion to drive a hard mass, to contact and fragment a target deposit;
Fig. 3 is a diagram of a variant of the invention of Fig. 2 which utilizes an electrically-produced plasma from a central two wire conductor to drive an internally confined spring-loaded end cap to fragment a target deposit;
Fig. 4 is a diaqram of a further variant of the invention of Fig. 2 which utilizes an W~ ~/~762 P~r/US90/~9~
,J' ~. j ,j ~J~ ~ 13 electrically-produced plasma from a central two wire conductor to drive an internally confined stainless steel end cap with irrigation ports, to contact and fragment a target deposit;
Fig. 5 is a diagram of the fragmentation system of the invention inside a body passage with fragmented target deposits at its distal end and a positioning fluoroscope;
and Fig. 6 is a diagram of an end cap of the inven~ion demonstrating the pulse-like advancement of the end cap with subsequent fracturing of the target deposit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E INVENT~ON
The present invention contemplates a method and apparatus for driving a small, hard mass into fracturing, high velocity contact with hard deposits in fluid-conta~ning body passages.
A first embodiment of th~ invention is illustrated in Fiq . 1~ A flesible wire guide 10, which typically comprises a commercially available, helically wound French No. 3 guide (0.85 - 1.00m diameter3 has an end cap 12, the cap and guide are typically of stainless steel or other material which, in response to laser radiation, will vaporize, in a rapid vapor e~pansion. An optical fiber 14 (typicall~ a 200 micron core) i~ fed through the wire guide 10 and terminates at a point 16, a short distance from the end cap 12. Laser radiation emanating from the termination 16 ~trikes the end cap and is absorbed by the metal of the end cap 12, ~au~ing vaporization of a small portion of the metal. In ~ctual use, the helical winaings of the gui~e 10 are ope~ed ~n a terminal portion lB, for e~ample by stretching the last few coils, to facilitate the entry of fluid from body passa~es, in which the guide is inserted, into the region of the t~rmination 16. The rapid vapor espansion, typically of shock wave nature, ~O ~t~762 ~/US90/~W
generates a forward pressure impulse on the cap 12, in the nature of a miniature jack hammer.
Where the cap 12 has been inser~ed in a body passage, typically the urethra to a kidney stone, it is 5 capable of fragmenting pieces of the kidney stone, such as the stone 20, to which it comes into contact. The presence of the body fluid creates a mass within the region of the termination 16 where the vapor espansion occurs which confines the espansion and permits a large 10 portion of the energy of the vapor espansion to be directed against the end cap 12 producing a high-velocity, short forward impulse.
The source of radiation applied to the fiber 14 is a laser system 22. Laser system 22 is typically a tunable 15 dye laser. The laser is operated in the mode of producing pulses of approsimately 1 microsecond duration and approximately 50 millijoule energy level. Other pulsed laser systems capable of promptly initiating a plasma against the cap and compatible with optical fiber transmission would also be acceptable enerqy sources.
This would include, for esample, solid state laser systems such as Alesandrite. A pulsed output be-am 29 from the laser 22 is applied to an optical coupling system 26 which in turn applies the pulsed radiation in beam 24 onto 25 optical fiber 14. The fiber 14 pas~es through a clamp 28 connected to the guide 10 and operative to hold the fiber termination 16 at a predetermined distance from the cap 12. A potting compound near the termination may be used to secure the fiber termination.
3n A second embodiment of the inventiGn is illustrated in Fig~ 2. As shown there a wire guide ~0, which may be similar to the guide 10 in Fig. 1 and typically of a size corresponding to French No. 3, terminates in an end cap 42 at a distal end 44 of the wire guide 40. The wire guide 35 is typically helically wound as described before and the termin~tion 4~ has helical wires of augmented spacing, for W~ )/~762 PCT/US~/~ ~4 e~ample, by being stretched, to permit the flow of fluid through an interior portion.
A wire conductor 46 is inserted through the wire guide 40, spaced and insulated from the helically wound 5 wires of the guide 40. The inner conductor 46 terminates at a point 48, ad~acent to the cap 42. The wire may be held in place by a positioning clamp 50, or potted in place with an adhesive as described ~bove with respect to Fig. 1.
A spark generator 52, which can be a Wolfe 2137.50 or Northgate Research SDl, available in the art, has its output applied on conductors 54 and 56, the conductors are connected to the inner conductor 46 of the guide 40 and the outer helical windings of the guide 40. The spark 15 generator 52 produces an output pulse of up to several microseconds, at several KV and up to lKA current. The spark generated between the termination 48 of the inner conductor 46 and the e~d cap 42 causes a vapor e~pansion of the fluid entering the tip portion 44 and/or the metal 20 Of the cap 42 creating a jack hammer like shock impulse movement of the end cap 42, permitting it to fracture calciferouæ deposit~ which it contacts.
A different ~ersion of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2 is æhown with respect to Fig. 3. A wire guide 60, typically of the type illustrated above, though not nec~æsarily having a conducting outer shell, has a termination 62 which may be an open helical portion of the wire ~uide of the prior embo~iment~. An end cap 64 is applie~ to the aistal end of the wire guide 60. A dual 30 conductor tranæmission line 66 pasæes centrally through the wire guide 60 terminating ~t ~ point 68 adjacent to the cap 64. The transm~ssion line 66 contains first and æecond conductor~ 70 and 72 which terminate to provide a spark gap at the termination 68. The gap is selected to 35 pro~ide, in response to energization from a spark generator 7~, of the type illustrated above with respect W~) r J0~6~2 ~/IJS90/(~0904 ~ 7 - ~ ~J ~ J-, ~
to Fig. 2, a vaporization of the fluid within the terminal portion 62 generating an impulse motion of the cap 64. A
transmission line of the type provided with the above-identified supplier of the spark generator and intended for independent insertion into body passages is 5 suitable for insertion within the guide 60.
Fig. 4 illustrates a further version of the embodiment of Fig. 2. A spark generator 80 is provided, and a two conductor transmission line 82 con~ucts the output of the spark generator through a guide 84 into a 10 stainless steel end cap 86. The end cap 86 is typically cemented to the distal end 88 of the wire guide 84.
Apertures 90 are provided in the end cap 86 ~o permit body passage fluids to enter the interior of the end cap B6 to a point 92 where the conductors in the transmission lS cable 92 terminate in a spark gap. The terminal portions of the end cap 86 wire guide 84, where it connects to the end cap 86, are typically resilient enough to permit the impulses gçnerated by the spark from the spark gap 92 termination to drive the e~d cap 86 forward in jack hammer 20 fashion to permit fracturing of hard deposits to which it is directed.
In actual use, and as illustrated in Fig. 5, a wire guide 100 according to the present invention is inserted through a body pa'ssaqe 102 such as the urethra, for kidney 25 stone fracturing t the biliary duct for gall stone fracturing and an artery for arterial plaque break-up.
The end tip 104 of the wire guide 100 is guided by fluoroscopy. An X-ray source 106 and viewing display lOB
permit the end of the wire guide 100 to be positioned 30 adjacsnt to a hard deposit 110 to be fractured as illustrated.
Fig. 6 is an illustration of the dynamics by whioh an end cap 120 is jaek hammered or shock driven forward into a hard deposit 122 by a spark generated by a 35 discharge in a ~park gap 126.
. . ,, . , .. .. . . . ~ .. .. ~. ~ ....... . . ..
WO ~/~762 PCT/US~/~M
~ 'J ;3 ~ '''J ~
Impulse delivery systems other than laser or spar~, such as chemical reaction, trigger remotely by signals supplied by a guide, may be used.
It will be understood that all matter herein 5 described or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative only and is not to limit the invention defined in the following clai~s.
Claims (17)
1. Apparatus for applying an energy impulse to cause fracturing of hard formations comprising:
a source of energy;
a flexible guide adapted for insertion through a fluid containing body passage;
an end cap affixed to a distal end of said guide;
means for applying said energy to said end cap thereby causing a pulse like movement of the cap; and means for providing fluid access from an exterior of said end cap and guide to an interior of said guide end cap.
a source of energy;
a flexible guide adapted for insertion through a fluid containing body passage;
an end cap affixed to a distal end of said guide;
means for applying said energy to said end cap thereby causing a pulse like movement of the cap; and means for providing fluid access from an exterior of said end cap and guide to an interior of said guide end cap.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide comprises a flexible wire guide.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said source of energy includes a laser providing radiant energy to said applying means.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said applying means is an optical fiber and said guide end cap is of a material vaporizable by said radiant energy.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said energy source is a spark generator and said means for applying further comprises at least one electrical conductor.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for applying includes a second electrical conductor which passes through said wire guide and terminates at a point to form a spark gap with said first electrical conductor.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said guide includes means for providing electrical conduction from said spark generator to said cap;
said first conductor terminating at a point to form a spark gap with said cap.
said first conductor terminating at a point to form a spark gap with said cap.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid access providing means includes ports in the end cap for said fluid access.
9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said optical fiber has a 200 micron core diameter.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said guide has a 0.85 - 1.00 mm outside diameter.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for providing fluid access includes an expanded end of said wirewound guide where the end cap is affixed.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said source of energy includes a chemical reaction.
13. A method for applying an energy impulse to cause fracturing of hard formations comprising:
inserting a flexible guide having an end cap affixed to a distal end through a fluid containing body passage;
providing fluid access from an exterior of said end cap and guide to an interior of said guide end cap; and applying energy to said end cap in the vacinity of a hard formation thereby causing a pulse like movement of the cap into fracturing contact with said hard formation.
inserting a flexible guide having an end cap affixed to a distal end through a fluid containing body passage;
providing fluid access from an exterior of said end cap and guide to an interior of said guide end cap; and applying energy to said end cap in the vacinity of a hard formation thereby causing a pulse like movement of the cap into fracturing contact with said hard formation.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said energy applying step includes applying laser radiant energy to said end cap.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said end cap is of a material vaporizable by said radiant energy.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein said energy applying step includes the step of generating a spark in the vacinity of said end cap.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein said energy applying step includes the step of causing a chemical reaction.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2050916 CA2050916A1 (en) | 1989-02-22 | 1990-02-22 | Acoustic impact delivery catheter with end cap |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US314,472 | 1989-02-22 | ||
| CA 2050916 CA2050916A1 (en) | 1989-02-22 | 1990-02-22 | Acoustic impact delivery catheter with end cap |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2050916A1 true CA2050916A1 (en) | 1990-08-23 |
Family
ID=4148324
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2050916 Abandoned CA2050916A1 (en) | 1989-02-22 | 1990-02-22 | Acoustic impact delivery catheter with end cap |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2050916A1 (en) |
-
1990
- 1990-02-22 CA CA 2050916 patent/CA2050916A1/en not_active Abandoned
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |