Radially-Firing Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy Probe

Abstract

An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe may comprise a lithotripter tip that comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. The lithotripter tip has a length in excess of 250 cm and is dimensioned to be inserted into a long channel having a length in excess of 250 cm. The lithotripter probe may include a material that reinforces a linear strength of at least a portion of the lithotripter probe.

1 . An invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe comprising:
 an invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter tip comprising:
 a hook structure extending from a distal end of the lithotripsy probe tip and curving back towards the lithotripsy probe tip; 
 a first electrode positioned at an end of the hook structure; and 
 a second electrode coaxially aligned with the first electrode; 
   wherein the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe is dimensioned and configured to be threaded through a human vein or artery of a patient and delivered to a position within an interior of the human vein or artery adjacent to concretions within the interior of the human vein or artery; and   wherein the first and second electrodes are positioned on the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter tip such that an electric arc between the first and second electrodes causes a shockwave within a liquid to radiate radially in a direction that is transverse from a longitudinal axis of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe, such that while the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe is positioned within an interior of the human vein or artery adjacent to concretions, the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe is configured to break up the concretions positioned adjacent to the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter tip in a location substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the invasive lithotripter probe.   
     
     
         2 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flexible encapsulating member surrounding at least a portion of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter tip, where the flexible encapsulating member is configured to encapsulate a liquid.   
     
     
         3 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the hook structure is insulated other than where the hook structure is electrically coupled with the first electrode and at the first electrode. 
     
     
         4 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a stiffening over-sheath positioned over at least a part of insulating material of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe, the stiffening over-sheath configured to reinforce a linear strength of at a least a portion of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe by up to approximately 50%.   
     
     
         5 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 4 , wherein the stiffening over-sheath defines at least one ribbed area or ringed area that is configured to reduce kinking of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe. 
     
     
         6 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe comprises polyimide that further reinforces the linear strength of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe. 
     
     
         7 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is positioned in a body of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter tip and is cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         8 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe comprises a polyimide sheath impregnated with a lubricous material that further reinforces the linear strength of the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe. 
     
     
         9 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , where the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter tip has a length in excess of 250 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 1 , wherein the invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe is in communication with an electrical source configured to charge the first cylindrical electrode to a first polarity. 
     
     
         11 . The invasive electrohydraulic lithotripter probe of  claim 10 , wherein the electrical source comprises an electrohydraulic generator.