The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 19, 1997
Filed:
May. 31, 1996
Peter R Delmenico, Evanston, IL (US);
Other;
Abstract
The invention discloses a method and apparatus for effectively localizing a stone and targeting a shock wave in connection with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy ('ESWL'). The technique disclosed by this invention can be adapted for use in connection with any conventional lithotripter. In this invention, an array of at least 3 and preferably 4 or more pressure transducers are used to sense the reflection from the target in response to an initial shock wave or ultrasonic wave. The sensor readings are then temporally shifted relative to one another in such a way as to maximize correlation between the signals from each sensor. The required time shifts for maximum correlation are used to calculate the differences in arrival times of reflected waves at the sensors. By knowing the original location of the sensors and establishing the time differences at which the reflected wave reaches the different sensors, a technique is disclosed to determine the vector coordinates extending between the target location and the focal point of the lithotripter.