Radially-Firing Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy Probe

Abstract

Invasive side-firing electrohydraulic lithotripsy probes that creates a substantially annular shockwave to break up concretions are disclosed. Generally, the side-firing electrohydraulic lithotripsy probe includes a lithotripter tip including a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode is positioned at a distal end of the lithotripter tip and the second electrode is positioned in the lithotripter tip such that an end of the second electrode is coaxially aligned with an end of the first electrode. An electric arc between the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave to radiate radially from the lithotripter tip.

1 . A lithotripter tip for use with a lithotripter probe, the lithotripter tip comprising:
 a first electrode positioned at a distal end of the lithotripter tip; and   a second electrode, an end of which is coaxially aligned with an end of the first electrode;   wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on the lithotripter tip such that an electric arc between the ends of the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave that is at least semi-annular to radiate radially from the lithotripter tip.   
   
   
       2 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode. 
   
   
       3 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode. 
   
   
       4 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second electrode is cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       5 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 4 , wherein the first electrode is conic in shape. 
   
   
       6 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 5 , wherein the first electrode is supported by a plurality of conductive wires extending from the distal end of the lithotripter tip. 
   
   
       7 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 4 , wherein the first electrode is positioned on an end of a hook structure extending from the distal end of the lithotripter. 
   
   
       8 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrodes comprise electrically conductive material. 
   
   
       9 . The lithotripter tip of  claim 1 , wherein the lithotripter tip is at least partially surrounded by a flexible encapsulating member. 
   
   
       10 . An invasive lithotripter probe comprising:
 a lithotripter tip comprising:
 a first electrode positioned at a distal end of the lithotripter tip; and 
 a second electrode, an end of which is coaxially aligned with an end of the first electrode; 
 wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on the lithotripter tip such an electric arc between the ends of the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave that is at least semi-annular to radiate radially from the lithotripter tip; and 
   a flexible encapsulating member surrounding at least a portion of the lithotripter tip, the balloon encapsulating a liquid.   
   
   
       11 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 10 , wherein the first electrode is an anode and the second electrode is a cathode. 
   
   
       12 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 10 , wherein the first electrode is a cathode and the second electrode is an anode. 
   
   
       13 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 10 , wherein at least a portion of the second electrode is cylindrical in shape. 
   
   
       14 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 13 , wherein the first electrode is conic in shape. 
   
   
       15 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 14 , wherein the first electrode is supported by a plurality of conductive wires extending from the distal end of the lithotripter tip. 
   
   
       16 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 13 , wherein the first electrode is positioned on an end of a hook structure extending from the distal end of the lithotripter. 
   
   
       17 . The invasive lithotripter probe of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second electrodes comprise electrically conductive material. 
   
   
       18 . An invasive lithotripter probe comprising:
 means for creating an electrical arc between an end of a first electrode positioned at a distal end of a lithotripter tip and an end of a second electrode which is coaxially aligned with the end of the lithotripter tip; and   means for encapsulating a liquid around at least a portion of the first and second electrodes;   wherein the electrical arc between the ends of the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave that is at least semi-annular to radiate radially from the lithotripter tip in the liquid.