Method of detection and destruction of urinary calculi and similar

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for detecting, destroying and removing urinary calculi and other similar structures anywhere within an animal body, and more specifically to a method for locating such structures, fragmenting and vaporizing them and related detection and control schemes. The method for destruction and detection of urinary stones, calculi and similar structures includes the following steps: (a) providing a laser source suitable for performing laser lithotripsy; (b) initiating transmission of laser energy via a fiber optic laser delivery device so as to impinge upon a urinary stone or other structure and create a sparkle or emission of visible light; (c) transmitting the sparkle or emission of visible light reflected back through the fiber optic laser delivery device to a photomultiplier tube; (d) detecting an amplified signal corresponding to the sparkle or emission of visible light created upon fragmentation of the urinary stones, calculi or other obstruction; (e) creating a control signal for the power supply of the laser source; (f) controlling the laser source so as to continue to transmit laser energy through the fiber optic laser delivery device to a urinary stone or other structure; (g) repeating steps (c) through (f) until no sparkle or visible light emission is detected; and (h) terminating transmission of the laser energy.