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:
Mar. 06, 2018
Filed:
Feb. 14, 2014
The University of North Carolina AT Charlotte, Charlotte, NC (US);
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, Charlotte, NC (US);
Nathaniel Michael Fried, Concord, NC (US);
Richard Leious Blackmon, Charlotte, NC (US);
Pierce Butler Irby, III, Charlotte, NC (US);
Thomas Clifton Hutchens, Yadkinville, NC (US);
University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Carlotte, NC (US);
The Charlotte Mecklenburg Hospital Authority, Charlotte, NC (US);
Abstract
A system for use in TFL lithotripsy procedures uses a silica trunk fiber semi-permanently mounted in an endoscope and includes a detachable and replaceable wave guide treatment tip, including hollow wave guides and fiber tips. The system provides for ready removal and replacement of wave guides damaged during lithotripsy. The trunk fiber in the endoscope tube is of diameter ≦200 μm, suitable for use in the lower pole of the kidney, and should be useful over-and-over with only the detachable wave guide removed and replaced, whether during a single procedure or for multiple procedures on different patients in which the endoscope tube and trunk fiber are sterilized between patients. Multiple connector assemblies are provided for optical coupling contact between the detachable wave guide and trunk fiber and include a gap for dissipation of heat between the trunk fiber and the wave guide when in optically coupling contact.