Unfocused electrohydraulic lithotripter
Electrohydraulic lithotripters comprising a plurality of electrohydraulic probes are disclosed. Each probe of the plurality of probes comprise a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe. A first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes may be configured to discharge simultaneously or sequentially.
1. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:
a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe; and,
one or more rounded lead contact surfaces positioned at a distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes, the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;
wherein a first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes are configured to discharge simultaneously; and,
wherein a position of a distal end of the first probe relative to a position of a distal end of the second probe is selectively adjustable.
2. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe and the distal end of the second probe.
3. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a first plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe, with the distal end of the second probe being positioned in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the second probe, the first plane being different than the second plane.
4. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein each probe of the plurality of probes are connected together by a band.
5. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a spherical shape.
6. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a donut shape.
7. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 1 , wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a bead shape characterized by a rounded lead contact surface and a cylindrical side surface.
8. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:
a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;
one or more rounded lead contact surfaces positioned at a distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes, the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces adapted to receive a force opposing advancement of the electrohydraulic lithotripter through a lumen;
wherein a first probe and a second probe of the plurality of probes are configured to discharge sequentially; and,
wherein a position of a distal end of the first probe relative to a position of a distal end of the second probe is selectively adjustable.
9. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8 , wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first prove and the distal end of the second probe.
10. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8 , wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a first plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe, with the distal end of the second probe being positioned in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the second probe, the first plane being different than the second plane.
11. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8 , wherein each probe of the plurality of probes are connected together by a band.
12. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8 , wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a spherical shape.
13. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8 , wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a donut shape.
14. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 8 , wherein the one or more rounded lead contacts surfaces comprises a bead shape characterized by a rounded lead contact surface and a cylindrical side surface.
15. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:
a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes having a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe, such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;
a flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes; and,
a plate positioned relative to the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes for receiving the shockwave that radiates from the distal ends of each probe;
wherein the plate comprises a surface area sized to receive the shockwave that radiates from the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes; and,
wherein the plate is positioned entirely within the flexible encapsulating member.
16. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15 , wherein the plate comprises at least one opening.
17. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15 , wherein the plate is formed of a rigid material.
18. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 15 , wherein the plate is formed of a flexible material.
19. An electrohydraulic lithotripter for extracorporeal administration of electrohydraulic lithotripsy comprising:
a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes comprising a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe, such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces an unfocused shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;
wherein a position of a distal end of a first probe of the plurality of probes relative to a position of a distal end of a second probe of the plurality of probes is selectively adjustable.
20. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19 , characterized by the absence of a flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes.
21. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19 , further comprising a flexible encapsulating member extracorporeally positionable against a tissue, the flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes.
22. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19 , wherein the first probe and the second probe are configured to discharge simultaneously.
23. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19 , wherein the first probe and the second probe are configured to discharge sequentially.
24. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19 , wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe and the distal end of the second probe.
25. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 19 , wherein the position of the distal end of the first probe is selectively adjustable for positioning in a first plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the first probe, with the distal end of the second probe being positioned in a second plane that is substantially parallel to the distal end of the second probe, the first plane being different than the second plane.
26. An electrohydraulic lithotripter comprising:
a plurality of electrohydraulic probes, each probe of the plurality of probes having a first electrode and a second electrode positioned at a distal end of the probe, such that when the probe is discharged in a fluid environment, an electric arc between the first electrode and the second electrode produces a shockwave that radiates from the distal end of the probe;
a flexible encapsulating member at least partially surrounding the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes; and,
a plate positioned relative to the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes for receiving the shockwave that radiates from the distal ends of each probe;
wherein the plate comprises a surface area sized to receive the shockwave that radiates from the distal end of each probe of the plurality of probes; and,
wherein the plate is positioned entirely outside the flexible encapsulating member.
27. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 26 , wherein the plate is formed of a rigid material.
28. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 26 , wherein the plate is formed of a flexible material.
29. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 26 , wherein the plate comprises a plurality of openings.
30. The electrohydraulic lithotripter of claim 29 , wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is aligned with a probe of the plurality of probes.