Self-Focusing Multi-Spark Shock Wave Generator for Stone Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Contemporary lithotripters face challenges in efficiently targeting kidney stones due to patient respiratory motion and residual fragment dispersion, leading to increased tissue injury from high-energy shock waves that often miss the target.
Innovation Solution
A steerable and adjustable focusing electrohydraulic (SAFE) shock wave generator with a re-configurable multi-spark transducer array that allows for flexible beam forming and stone targeting, utilizing a control assembly to energize transducers in various configurations to generate specific beam shapes and pressures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure and pulse energy are generated by contemporary lithotripters, then stone comminution effectiveness is improved, but the risk of renal injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lithotripsy treatment is divided into multiple low-energy shock wave pulses delivered in sequences, rather than using fewer high-energy pulses. This segmentation allows cumulative stone fragmentation while keeping individual pulse energy below injury thresholds, resolving the contradiction between effectiveness and safety
Solution Approach 2:
Treatment protocols use periodic cycles of shock wave delivery followed by rest intervals, allowing tissue recovery between bursts. This periodic action maintains therapeutic effectiveness through cumulative effect while preventing acute injury from continuous high-energy exposure
2Reliability
If the number of shock waves is increased to account for respiratory motion, then stone targeting reliability is improved, but tissue injury from off-target shock waves increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts shock wave delivery parameters in real-time based on respiratory phase detection and stone position tracking. By synchronizing pulse delivery with moments when the stone is at the optimal position, the system maintains high targeting reliability without requiring excessive total pulses, thus reducing off-target tissue exposure
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback from respiratory monitoring and imaging systems to continuously track stone position and adjust delivery timing. This feedback loop ensures shock waves are delivered only when the target is properly positioned, maintaining reliability while minimizing unnecessary tissue exposure from mistimed pulses
3Device complexity
If axisymmetric pressure fields are used by contemporary lithotripters, then device simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to anatomical features and respiratory motion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs asymmetric transducer arrays and non-axisymmetric pressure field configurations that can be selectively activated. This allows the pressure distribution to be tailored to match specific anatomical variations and respiratory motion patterns, providing adaptability while maintaining reasonable device complexity through modular design
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves stone comminution efficiency by aligning the acoustic field with anatomical features and stone trajectories, reducing tissue injury and enhancing the effectiveness of shock wave lithotripsy.
Implementation Method 1
a steerable and adjustable focusing electrohydraulic (SAFE) shock wave generator with a re-configurable multi-spark transducer array
Implementation Method 2
a degasser that removes bubbles from the first fluid
Implementation Method 3
a chiller that controls the temperature of the first fluid
Implementation Method 4
a pump that circulates the first fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A shock wave generator comprising a base, a plurality of transducers positioned on the base, a control assembly electrically coupled to the plurality of transducers, and a first chamber with a first fluid. The first chamber is at least partially defined by the base. The shock wave generator further comprises a second chamber with a second fluid, a membrane positioned between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a circulation assembly fluidly coupled to the first chamber. The circulation assembly includes a pump that circulates the first fluid, a chiller that controls the temperature of the first fluid, and a degasser that removes bubbles from the first fluid.