Fragmentation device, crushing system, and method of operating the fragmentation device

Abstract

This disclosure includes a device for crushing calculi, which optionally includes a first connector forming a first port and configured to connect to a first evaluation pipe, a second connector forming a second port, a housing, and an auger. The second connector may be configured to connect to a second discharge pipe. The housing may have a lumen in which fluid communication is established with the first and second connectors. The auger may be positioned within the lumen adjacent to the housing. The auger may be rotatable within the lumen to break the calculi into fragments to prevent blockage of the second discharge pipe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Priority Claim This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 509,335, filed on June 21, 2023, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This specification relates to medical devices for using lithotripsy to break up physiological stones (commonly referred to as stones), and more particularly to techniques for using an auger to break up stones.

Background Art

[0003] Medical endoscopes are used to examine the inside of the body. A typical endoscope has a distal end equipped with an optical or electronic imaging system and a proximal end having a control unit for operating the device or viewing an image. A slender shaft connects the proximal end and the distal end. Some endoscopes allow a physician to pass tools through one or more working channels, for example, to excise tissue, retrieve an object, or perform other tasks.

[0004] In the field of endoscopy, particularly in the bile duct, urinary tract, kidney, and gallbladder, the fragmentation of physiological stones has advanced. Physiological stones in these areas can block ducts and cause a significant amount of pain to the patient, and therefore must be broken down and / or removed. Various techniques have been developed to break up stones, including ultrasonic or other acoustic lithotripsy, pneumatic lithotripsy, electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), and laser lithotripsy. Laser lithotripsy can include the fragmentation of stones using green light, YAG, or holmium lasers.

Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for preventing, inhibiting, reducing, or correcting blockages in lithotripsy devices or systems, such as lithotomy devices that use acoustic or other types of energy for the fragmentation and treatment of lithotripsy. The devices, systems, and methods herein may include a dedicated fragmentation device positioned proximal to a probe along an evacuation pathway for breaking down / fragmenting lithotripsy. This fragmentation of lithotripsy or already fragmented lithotripsy can help prevent, inhibit, reduce, or correct blockages along the evacuation pathway that would otherwise occur without the assistance of the device. This can then help provide surgeons with more continuous operation of lithotomy devices and systems without interruption of the procedure by blockages. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The devices proposed herein utilize an auger as an anti-clogging mechanism. The device may be integrated with a crushing device or otherwise included with it. For example, the device may be included at one or more locations along the discharge path, which may be closer to the probe. However, the augers described herein are also intended to be used in the distal part of the system, such as being part of the probe. The device may use the auger to further crush, break down, pulverize, or reduce the size of stone fragments, for example, to suppress, prevent, reduce, or obstruct clogging at one or more joints, pinch points, or other clogging-prone areas along the discharge path.

[0008] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to scale, similar reference numerals may describe similar components in different drawings. Similar reference numerals with different subscripts may represent different examples of similar components. Drawings generally illustrate various embodiments discussed herein as examples, not limitations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1]Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a part of a lithotripsy device.

[0010] [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an example of a device that uses an auger to prevent fragmentation or clogging in a lithotripsy device.

[0011] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of another example of a device that uses an auger for fragmentation, such as to prevent clogging in a lithotripsy device.

[0012] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing one example of a method for addressing clogging of lithotripsy devices. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Examples of devices, systems, and methods for addressing the problem of blockage by stone fragments captured along the discharge path within a lithotripsy device are discussed. A fragmentation device for fragmenting stones is disclosed. The fragmentation device may have an auger for crushing stone fragments at one or more locations along the discharge path. The fragmentation device may be located proximal to the distal tip used to provide primary acoustic fragmentation or other fragmentation of the stone. The discharge path may extend, for example, between the distal tips of the lithotripsy device in the probe, through the body of the device, and through a suction or discharge tube connected to the device. The fragmentation devices discussed herein may be located along the discharge path, such as at one or more locations proximal to the distal tip and along the discharge tube. The fragmentation device may be operated continuously for the ongoing further decomposition of the stone, stone fragments, etc., or intermittently (for example, on a specified schedule, or in response to detected parameters or other triggers, such as the detection of an indication of a detected blockage or one or more conditions indicating a blockage-prone situation).

[0014] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of an example of a portion of a lithotomy device 100 that may include a fragmentation device 160 for fragmenting stones. The lithotomy device 100 may include a proximal portion 101, a handheld portion 102, and a distal portion 104. The distal portion 104 can be inserted into the patient's orifice via an endoscope or other auxiliary device. The lithotomy device 100 may include a probe 110 having a probe body 112 in the distal portion 104. The fragmentation device 160 may be located proximal to the probe 110 in the handheld portion 102 or the proximal portion 101, etc. As shown in Figure 1, the fragmentation device 160 is located in the proximal portion 101. The fragmentation device 160 is in fluid communication with a first discharge pipe 131 or a first discharge path 130 or passage formed by another component. The fragmentation device 160 is in fluid communication with a second discharge path 132 or passage formed by a second discharge pipe 133. The crushing device 100 also includes, or can be used with, one or more of the following: an acoustic transducer 120, a handpiece 125, a suction device 140 or other pressure source, and a waste container 142. Optionally, the fragmentation device 160 can be driven by an actuator 150.

[0015] The lithotomy device 100 can be configured for the treatment of lithotripsy, such as by fragmenting and removing the lithotripsy. The lithotomy device 100 can provide treatment by using ultrasound or other acoustic energy, low-frequency solenoid-driven ballistic shock, or any combination thereof, to fragment the lithotripsy or treat a physiological target in other ways. The lithotomy device 100 can be a dual-frequency or other multi-frequency device, which can enable pulsation of both sound waves and ultrasound for the breakdown of lithotripsy.

[0016] The probe 110 may be sized and molded to allow, for example, at least partial insertion into the patient. The probe 110 may be an acoustically transparent probe for transmitting acoustic energy from a generator or acoustic transducer to a target stone for fragmentation. The probe 110 may be coupled to a handheld portion 102 closer to the operator. The probe 110 may be part of a distal portion 104 closer to the treatment site. Depending on the specific probe type and distal probe tip used, the probe 110 may have a length of, for example, about 250 mm to about 600 mm. Depending on the specific probe type and probe tip used, the probe 110 may have a diameter of, for example, about 0.90 mm to about 3.80 mm.

[0017] The probe 110 may include a probe body 112 having a lumen 113 within it. The probe body 112 may be sized and molded for insertion into a patient to reach a stone for fragmentation. The probe 110 may be elongated and may include a bendable section and a distal end to which a probe tip 114 can be attached. The bendable section may be controllable (e.g., by a control knob) to maneuver the probe 110 and / or probe tip 114 through tortuous anatomical passages (e.g., stomach, duodenum, kidney, ureter, etc.). The probe 110 may also include one or more working channels (e.g., lumen 113) which may be elongated. The probe body 112 may include one or more couplers or other attachment mechanisms for connecting to the probe tip 114 or another component. The probe body 112 may allow an operator to manipulate the positioning and operation of the probe tip 114 on or near the target stone.

[0018] The probe tip 114 can be attached to the probe body 112. The probe tip 114 may be sized, shaped, and positioned to crush, fragment, or break up one or more target stones. Once the probe tip 114 is attached to the probe body 112 by the end user, the lumen 116 of the probe tip 114 may align with and extend from the lumen 113 of the probe body 112, for example, to provide a continuous irrigation and / or drainage pathway. Depending on the specific procedure to be performed, or the specific target to which the procedure will be performed, the probe tip 114 may have a desired shape or other characteristics, such as a chisel tip, a square tip, a tip with a larger or smaller surface area facing distally, various topography, various forms, or be made of various materials.

[0019] The acoustic transducer 120 may, for example, be part of the handheld portion 102. The acoustic transducer 120 may be operable to provide acoustic energy to the target stone via the acoustically transmitted probe 110. The acoustic transducer 120 may provide ultrasonic energy, sound wave energy, or any combination thereof for purposes such as breaking down the target stone by fragmentation. In some cases, the acoustic transducer 120 may be configured for impact pulsation between various energy levels or energy types. This may include, for example, applying ultrasonic energy in intermittent low-frequency acoustic energy pulses or intermittent ballistic mechanical energy doses. Depending on the specific operation, the acoustic transducer 120 may provide acoustic energy of various waveforms or frequencies. For example, the acoustic transducer 120 may be operated to select, adjust, or optimize the waveform for one or more parts of the procedure. The acoustic transducer 120 may be acoustically coupled to the acoustically transmitted probe body 112, for example, to provide acoustic energy down the length of the probe body 112 to the probe tip 114. For example, the acoustic transducer 120 may have a diameter of approximately 4 to 6 cm, a length of approximately 15 to 25 cm, and a weight of approximately 0.4 to 1.0 kg, depending on the specific transducer used.

[0020] The handpiece 125 may be molded and sized to allow an end-user operator to grasp and operate the lithotripsy device 100. In one example, the handpiece 125 may house all or part of the acoustic transducer 120. The handpiece 125 may include one or more buttons or other user interface means that allow the operator to control the lithotripsy device 100. For example, the handpiece 125 may include a dial for variable suction control that communicates with the suction device 140. In one example, the handpiece 125 may include one or more buttons for applying ultrasound, sound waves, or other energy from the acoustic transducer 120 to be applied to a target stone for fragmentation. In some examples, the lithotripsy device 100 may additionally or alternatively include a foot pedal or other auxiliary actuator for controlling the operation of the acoustic transducer 120, for example.

[0021] A first discharge pipe 131 can define a first discharge route 130 along which stone fragments are removed. The first discharge pipe 131 can be fluidly connected to the lumen 113 of the probe 110 for purposes such as providing irrigation, suction, or both to the lithotripsy device 100. The discharge pipe 131 may extend outward from the handpiece 125 and can be selectively connected to the fragmentation device 160. A second discharge pipe 133 can define a second discharge route 132 along which stone fragments are removed from the fragmentation device 160 to a waste container 142 or the like. The second discharge pipe 133 can be fluidly connected to an irrigation source (not shown) and / or a suction device 140 or other pressure source. The suction device 140 can provide discharge pressure through the fragmentation device 160, traveling down the length of the first discharge tube 131 and the second discharge tube 133, to draw fragments of the fragmented stone down the first discharge path 130 away from the lumen 113 of the probe 110 to the fragmentation device 160. Although not specifically shown, the first discharge tube 131 and the second discharge tube 133 can be further irrigated as needed.

[0022] The suction device 140 can be, for example, a suction pump 141. The suction pump 141 can include a port used to draw a vacuum from the fragmentation device to generate suction, such as to draw fluid from the anatomical region into which the probe 110 is inserted.

[0023] The actuator 150 can be in electrical and / or mechanical communication with the fragmentation device 160, such as to provide electrical and / or mechanical energy to the fragmentation device 160 during use. As an example, the actuator 150 can be an electric motor 151 or other suitable device that can drive a shaft 152 coupled to the auger of the fragmentation device 160. In some examples, rather than a dedicated actuator, the suction device 140 can function as an actuator for the auger, as further discussed herein. Thus, the actuator 150 is an optional component. The actuator 150 can be part of the fragmentation device 100 or a separate capital device and can be electrically plug-connected or battery-chargeable. This capital device can be suspended alone on an IV pole, for example, together with a saline bag used for irrigation.

[0024] Although not specifically shown, the fragmentation device 100 and optionally the suction device 140, actuator 150, etc. can be controlled by a control unit or some dedicated control units, etc. The control unit can further be used to generate a signal or other output from treating the anatomical region into which the probe 110 is inserted. In an example, the control unit can operate imaging and generate electrical output, mechanical output, acoustic output, fluid output, etc. to treat the anatomical region.

[0025] The lithotripsy device 100 may further include a fragmentation device 160. The fragmentation device 160 can be coupled to a first discharge pipe 131 and a second discharge pipe 133. Thus, the fragmentation device 160 can be in fluid communication with the first discharge path 130 and the second discharge path 132. In fact, the fragmentation device 160 can be located at any position proximal to the distal end of the probe tip 114, for example, within the lumen 113 of the probe body 112. The fragmentation device 160 may be a device added to an existing lithotripsy device 100 that lacks such a device. The fragmentation device 160 may include an auger (described later) for fragmenting stones in order to reduce, suppress, prevent, or interfere with clogging of the lithotripsy device 100.

[0026] Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the fragmentation device 160. The fragmentation device 160 may include a housing 200, a lumen 202, an auger 204, a first connector 206, and a second connector 208. The auger 204 includes a shank 210 and helical flights 212. The first connector 206 defines a first port 214, and the second connector 208 defines a second port 216.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the housing 200 can be molded in a cylindrical or other form and can define a lumen 202. The lumen 202 may be large enough to accommodate the auger 204. The auger 204 can be positioned in the lumen 202 adjacent to the housing 200. The auger 204 may be rotatable within the lumen 202 relative to the housing 200. The auger 204 may be cantilevered within the lumen 202 and can be coupled to a shaft 152 at its proximal end 205. The shaft 152 can drive the rotation of the auger 204, as will be discussed further herein.

[0028] The shank 210 can be coupled with helical flights 212 along its axial length. The shank 210 may include the inner diameter of the auger 204. The helical flights 212 can advance helically through several twists and may extend outside the shank 210. The helical flights 212 may have a pitch between approximately 2.0 mm and approximately 5.0 mm. The outermost edge of the helical flights 212 may include the outer diameter of the auger 204. The distance between the outer and inner diameters, i.e., the strip width, can be between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.

[0029] The outer diameter of the auger 204 can be between approximately 5 mm and 10 mm within the housing 200. This gap G between the outer diameter OD of the auger 204 and the housing 200 may be sufficient to allow non-contact rotation of the auger 204 and to allow irrigation and / or suction flow between the outermost edge of the auger 204 and the housing 200. However, the gap G between the outermost edge of the auger 204 and the housing 200 must be small enough to prevent larger calculus fragments LSF from passing through it. Contact between larger calculus fragments LSF and the helical flight 212 and the housing 200, including the area of ​​gap G, can, for example, further fragment the larger calculus fragments LSF into smaller calculus fragments SSF containing dust D.

[0030] The auger 204 can be driven by the shaft 152 to rotate counterclockwise at high speeds, such as between approximately 1,000 RPM and approximately 80,000 RPM. Such high-speed rotation can generate a helical flow of smaller calculus fragments SSF containing larger calculus fragments LSF and / or dust D. This helical flow can bring the larger calculus fragments LSF and / or smaller calculus fragments SSF into contact with the housing 200, helical flights 212, and / or shank 210, causing them to be further fragmented into even smaller calculus fragments.

[0031] The first connector 206 can be coupled to the housing 200, for example, at its distal end. The first connector 206 can be configured for a Luer or other type of connection to the first discharge pipe (see Figure 1). The first connector 206 can be configured to integrate with the standard piping sizes of different capital equipment in the crusher market. The first connector 206 can define a first port 214. The first port 214 and the first connector 206 can be in fluid communication with the lumen 202 and the first discharge path (see Figure 1). The first connector 206 and the first port 214 can be roughly aligned with, for example, the rotation axis RA of the auger 204. However, other arrangements of the first connector 206 and the first port 214 relative to the auger 204 (e.g., offset arrangement) are intended.

[0032] The second connector 208 can be coupled to the housing 200, for example, at its proximal end. The second connector 208 can be configured for a Luer or other type of connection to a second discharge pipe (see Figure 1). The second connector 208 can be configured to integrate with the standard piping sizes of different capital equipment in the crusher market. The second connector 208 can define a second port 216. The second port 216 and the second connector 208 can be in fluid communication with the lumen 202 and the second discharge path (see Figure 1). The second connector 208 and the second port 216 can be positioned proximal to the proximal end 205 of the auger 204. The second connector 208 and the second port 216 can be oriented substantially laterally from the longitudinal axis LA of the shaft 152 and the rotation axis RA of the auger 204, offset from them.

[0033] The auger 204 can be continuously actuated for rotation by the shaft 152 and the actuator (see Figure 1). Alternatively or additionally, the auger 204 may be actuated manually and / or in an automated manner, such as pulsed or scheduled. The auger 204 can be continuously actuated during treatment or can be actuated electromechanically or in other manner in a controllable manner in response to trigger conditions, such as a detected indication of increasing potential blockage.

[0034] Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of another example of the fragmentation device 160A. The fragmentation device 160A, like the fragmentation device 160, may include a housing 200, a lumen 202, an auger 204, a first connector 206, and a second connector 208. The auger 204 includes a shank 210 and a helical flight 212. The first connector 206 defines a first port 214, and the second connector defines a second port 216.

[0035] The fragmentation device 160A differs in that the auger 204 is not driven by a shaft. Rather, the suction device 140 can communicate fluidly with the lumen 202 via a second port 216 and a second connector 208 (and a second discharge pipe, not shown). The pressure difference generated by the suction device 140 drives the rotation of the auger 204 within the lumen 202. In the configuration of Figure 3, the shaft is eliminated, and the auger 204 is mounted on a bearing 300 that enables the rotation of the auger 204 driven by the pressure difference. The rotation of the auger 204 can be varied by adjusting the flow by changing the suction and / or irrigation, thereby adjusting the rotation of the auger 204.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a flowchart illustrating method 400 for preventing clogging of a lithotripsy device. Method 400 may include, in step 410, receiving stone fragments along a first discharge path from a lithotripsy probe located distal to the fragmentation device using a fragmentation device. In step 420, method 400 may include crushing the fragments into smaller fragments using the auger of the fragmentation device. In step 430, method 400 may include passing the smaller fragments from the fragmentation device to a waste container along a second discharge path. Method 400 may include driving the auger to rotate between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM. Method 400 can drive the auger by pressure difference, shaft, or by another device or in a manner known in the art. Crushing the stone fragments can be done continuously, pulsed, or in response to clogging indications. Crushing the stone fragments can be achieved, for example, using any of the fragmentation devices described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3.

[0037] Each of these non-restrictive examples can stand on its own or can be combined with one or more of the other examples in various permutations or combinations.

[0038] Example 1 is a device for crushing gallstones, optionally comprising: a first connector forming a first port and configured to connect to a first evaluation pipe; a second connector forming a second port and configured to connect to a second discharge pipe; a housing having a lumen in fluid communication with the first and second connectors; and an auger positioned within the lumen adjacent to the housing, which is rotatable within the lumen to break the gallstone into fragments to prevent blockage of the second discharge pipe.

[0039] In Example 2, the subject of Example 1 is optionally within the range of approximately 5.0 mm to 10 mm of the housing.

[0040] In Example 3, and for the themes of Examples 1 and 2, the auger pitch is optionally between approximately 2.0 mm and approximately 5.0 mm.

[0041] In Example 4, and the subjects of Examples 1-3, the auger optionally has a strip width between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.

[0042] In Example 5, and in the themes of Examples 1-4, the auger can optionally be rotated between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM to generate a spiral flow of fragments.

[0043] In Example 6, the themes of Examples 1-5 optionally include the auger being coupled to a drive shaft at its proximal end.

[0044] In Example 7, the subject of Example 6 optionally includes the orientation of the second port substantially laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft, offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.

[0045] In Example 8, the subject matter of Examples 1-7 optionally includes a suction device that is in fluid communication with the lumen via a second port, and the pressure difference generated by the suction device drives the rotation of the auger within the lumen.

[0046] Example 9 is a system for lithotomy, optionally comprising a handpiece, a lithotomy probe extending from the handpiece, a power supply coupled to the handpiece and configured to deliver energy to the distal end of the lithotomy probe, a first discharge pipe configured to be coupled to the distal end of the probe, a second discharge pipe, a device configured to be coupled to the first and second discharge pipes and including an auger that is operable to break up stones into fragments, and a waste container configured to receive the fragments through the second discharge pipe.

[0047] In Example 10, the subject of Example 9 optionally includes an actuator configured to drive the rotation of the auger.

[0048] In Example 11, the subject matter of Examples 9-10 optionally includes a suction device configured to drive the rotation of the auger.

[0049] In Example 12, the subject matter of Examples 9–11 optionally includes the device comprising a first connector for selective mechanical connection to a first discharge pipe and a second connector for selective mechanical connection to a second discharge pipe.

[0050] In Example 13, and the subjects of Examples 9-12, optionally, the outermost diameter of the auger is within approximately 5.0 mm to 10 mm of the device housing.

[0051] In Example 14, and the subjects of Examples 9-13, the auger pitch is optionally between approximately 2.0 mm and approximately 5.0 mm.

[0052] In Example 15 and the subjects of Examples 9-14, the auger optionally has a strip width between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.

[0053] In Example 16, and the themes of Examples 9-15, the auger can optionally be rotated between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM to generate a spiral flow of fragments.

[0054] Example 17 is a method for preventing clogging of a lithotripsy device, which optionally includes using a fragmentation device to receive stone fragments from a lithotripsy probe located distal to the fragmentation device along a first discharge path, crushing the fragments into smaller fragments using the auger of the fragmentation device, and passing the smaller fragments from the fragmentation device to a waste container along a second discharge path.

[0055] In the subject matter of Examples 18 and 17, optionally, using an auger to break down a fragment into smaller fragments involves driving the auger to rotate between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM.

[0056] In Example 19, the subject matter of Examples 17-18 optionally includes applying torque from an actuator via a shaft to drive the auger.

[0057] In Example 20, the themes of Examples 17–19 optionally include applying a pressure difference to drive the auger.

[0058] Example 21 is at least one machine-readable medium that, when executed by a processing circuit configuration, contains instructions that cause the processing circuit configuration to perform an action to carry out any of Examples 1 to 20.

[0059] Example 22 is an apparatus that includes means for carrying out any of Examples 1 to 20.

[0060] Example 23 is a system for implementing any of Examples 1 through 20.

[0061] Example 24 is a method for carrying out any of Examples 1 through 20.

[0062] Each of these non-restrictive examples can stand on its own or can be combined with one or more of the other examples in various permutations or combinations.

[0063] The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be carried out. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples may include elements in addition to those illustrated or described. However, the inventors also intend examples in which only the illustrated or described elements are provided. Furthermore, the inventors also intend examples in which any combination or permutation of the illustrated or described elements (or one or more embodiments thereof) is used with respect to a particular example (or one or more embodiments thereof) or with respect to other examples (or one or more embodiments thereof) illustrated or described herein. Terms such as “substantially” and “about” mean within 10 percent of the relevant value.

[0064] In the event of any conflict between use in this specification and any document so as to be incorporated by reference, the use in this specification shall prevail.

[0065] In this specification, the terms "a" or "an" are used to include one or more, independently of any other instances or uses of "at least one" or "one or more," as is common in patent literature. In this specification, the term "or" is used to refer to non-exclusive "or" such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B." In this specification, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as plain English equivalents of the terms "comprising" and "wherein," respectively. Furthermore, in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, meaning that any system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those enumerated after such terms in the claims is still considered to be within the scope of those claims. Furthermore, in the following claims, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on those subjects.

[0066] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not limiting. For example, the above examples (or one or more of their embodiments) can be used in combination with one another. Other embodiments can be used by those skilled in the art, etc., as described above. The abstract is provided in accordance with 37 CFR §1.72(b) to enable the reader to quickly confirm the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above detailed description, various features can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as meaning that any disclosed features not claimed are essential to any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may lie in fewer features than all the features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, and each claim stands alone as a separate embodiment, and such embodiments are intended to be combined with one another in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined by referring to the appended claims, together with the entire scope of the equivalents to which such claims are granted.

Claims

1. A device for breaking up kidney stones, A first connector forming a first port, the first connector configured to be coupled to a first evaluation tube, A second connector forming a second port, the second connector configured to connect to a second discharge pipe, A housing having a lumen that is in fluid communication with the first connector and the second connector, An auger positioned within the lumen adjacent to the housing, the auger being rotatable within the lumen to break the calculus into fragments in order to prevent blockage of the second discharge pipe. A device equipped with the following features.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the outermost diameter of the auger is located within a range of approximately 5.0 mm to approximately 10 mm of the housing.

3. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the auger has a pitch between approximately 2.0 mm and approximately 5.0 mm.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the auger has a strip width between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the auger is rotatable between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM to generate a helical flow of the fragment.

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the auger is coupled to a drive shaft at its proximal end.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the second port is oriented substantially laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft and offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft.

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a suction device having fluid communication with the lumen via the second port, wherein the pressure difference generated by the suction device drives the rotation of the auger within the lumen.

9. A system for lithotomy procedures, Handpiece and A crushing probe extending from the aforementioned handpiece, A power supply connected to the handpiece is configured to deliver energy to the distal end of the crushing probe, A first discharge pipe configured to be connected to the distal end of the probe, The second discharge pipe, A device configured to be connected to the first discharge pipe and the second discharge pipe, the device including an auger that is operable to break up stones into fragments, A waste container configured to receive the fragments through the second discharge pipe and A system equipped with these features.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising an actuator configured to drive the rotation of the auger.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a suction device configured to drive the rotation of the auger.

12. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the device includes a first connector for selective mechanical connection to the first discharge pipe and a second connector for selective mechanical connection to the second discharge pipe.

13. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the outermost diameter of the auger is located within a range of approximately 5.0 mm to approximately 10 mm of the housing of the device.

14. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the auger has a pitch between approximately 2.0 mm and approximately 5.0 mm.

15. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the auger has a strip width between approximately 0.5 mm and approximately 1.0 mm.

16. The system according to any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the auger is rotatable between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM to generate a helical flow of the fragments.

17. A method for preventing clogging of a lithotripsy device, Using a fragmentation device, fragments of calculus are received along a first discharge path from a calculus probe located distal to the fragmentation device, The fragments are crushed into smaller fragments using the auger of the fragmentation device, The fragmentation device transfers smaller fragments to the waste container along a second discharge path. Methods that include...

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the auger is driven to rotate at a speed between 1,000 RPM and 80,000 RPM in order to crush the fragment into smaller fragments.

19. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 18, further comprising applying torque from an actuator via a shaft to drive the auger.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 18, further comprising applying a pressure difference to drive the auger.

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