JPH02215450A - Calculus crushing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To exactly judge the degradation state of an impulse wave generating element according to the number of times of the impression of a high voltage pulse by providing an integrating counter to count the number of pulses to be impressed only when a pulse voltage is higher than a prescribed value. CONSTITUTION:It is always supervised whether the signal of a voltage set circuit 20 is more than the prescribed value or not and when the signal is higher than the prescribed value, an output is set in the state of H. Then, an output end is connected to one input end of a gate circuit 22. When a trigger signal is inputted from a trigger circuit 16 in such a state, an integrating count circuit 23 executes count-up and an integrating count value is displayed in a display circuit 24. For the integrating count circuit 23, constitution is obtained to hold the count value by a backup power source 25 even when a power is turned off. Thus, it is made clear which times the high voltage pulse is impressed to a piezoceramic element 11. Then, the life of the piezoceramic element 11 can be forecasted and the piezoceramic element can be exchanged.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a stone crushing device that focuses shock waves on a patient's stone from outside the body to crush the stone.

(Prior Art) As a means of generating shock waves, underwater discharge, micro-explosion, etc. are used, and a method is used in clinical practice to reflect the waves off a reflector and focus them on a focal point to crush stones.

In recent years, methods for generating shock waves using piezoceramic elements and electromagnetic induction plates have been developed as an alternative to underwater discharges and micro-explosions.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional stone crushing device using a piezoceramic element.

A piezoceramic element 1 wrapped in a water tank or an ice bag and an ultrasonic glove 2 for positioning are integrated and are brought into contact with a patient to crush a stone.

Reference numeral 3 indicates a water tank, and reference numeral 4 indicates an ultrasonic diagnostic device connected to the ultrasonic probe 2. The piezoceramic element 1 is activated by the trigger circuit 6 via the pulser 5t.
generates a high pulse voltage corresponding to the voltage of the DC high voltage circuit 7 and sends it to the piezoceramic element 1 to generate a shock wave. The piezoceramic element 1 has a spherical shape, and weak shock wave pulses emitted from its surface are focused to a focal point and generate a pressure of about 1 kbar.

A count circuit 8 counts the activation pulses of the trigger circuit 6 and displays the total number of times the shock wave is emitted on a display circuit 9. In the figure, numeral 10 indicates a voltage setting circuit.

High voltage pulses are repeatedly applied to the piezoceramic element 1, resulting in a decrease in generation efficiency and peeling of the electrodes.Also, when an acoustic matching layer is attached to the surface of the piezoceramic element 1, the acoustic matching layer is damaged. Peeling may occur rapidly each time a high voltage pulse is applied or when a certain number of times is reached.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, in this stone crushing device, since the total number of applied high voltage pulses is not stored, it is necessary to accurately judge the above-mentioned deterioration, etc., and generate shock waves in the piezoceramic element 1, etc. It was not possible to replace the device.

Therefore, the only option is to replace it every certain period of time, and if it is used frequently, it may start to deteriorate before replacement, and if it is used infrequently, it may still be usable. There was a problem in that it resulted in needless replacement.

Piezoceramic, Kusu element 1 is the ultrasonic probe 2 at the time of shipment.
A weak pulse voltage is applied when adjusting the position with the machine and adjusting the position during maintenance.

Since the piezoceramic element 1 hardly deteriorates with a weak pulse voltage, when the number of applied pulses is integrated in tt, an error equal to the number of weak pulses applied due to the deterioration of the ceramic element occurs, and appropriate counting cannot be performed.

This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to accurately judge the state of deterioration of the shock wave generating element by the number of times of application of high voltage pulses, thereby avoiding wasting the shock wave generating element. The object of the present invention is to provide a lithotripter that can be replaced at an appropriate time without any problems.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving Problem 11) The present invention provides a shock wave generating means for generating and converging a shock wave by a shock wave generating element, a positioning means for determining the position of a stone, and the above-mentioned The stone crushing device is equipped with a pulser that applies a pulse voltage to a shock wave generating means, and is characterized by being provided with an integration counter that counts the number of pulses applied only when the pulse voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value.

Note that it is preferable that the integration counter retains the count contents even when the power is cut off, and a piezo element such as a piezo ceramic element, an electromagnetic induction plate, or the like can be used as the shock wave generating element.

(Function) With the above configuration, the integration counter counts the number of pulses only when a pulse voltage of a predetermined value or more is applied to the shock generating means, so it counts only the pulses that degrade the shock wave generating element and only counts the pulses that degrade the shock wave generating element. can be replaced at an appropriate time in an effective and efficient manner.

Note that since the integration counter retains the count contents even when the power is cut off, reliable counting can be performed without affecting the counting whether or not the power is cut off.

(Example) Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, a piezoceramic element 11 as a shock wave generating element and an ultrasonic glove 12 for positioning are integrated in a water tank 13, and are brought into contact with the patient.

14 is an ultrasonic diagnostic device connected to the ultrasonic probe 12. 15 is a pulser which is activated by the trigger circuit 16 to generate a high voltage pulse voltage corresponding to the voltage of the DC high voltage circuit 17 and sends it to the piezoceramic element 11 to generate a shock wave, and 18 is a pulser which generates a shock wave in total. A count circuit for counting, 19 a display circuit thereof, and 20 a voltage setting circuit.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a voltage determination circuit that constantly monitors whether the signal from the voltage setting circuit 20 is above a predetermined value, and if it is above the predetermined value, outputs t-H (Hlgh). is connected to one input terminal of the gate circuit 22. When a trigger signal is input from the trigger circuit 16 in this state, the cumulative count circuit 23 increases the count and displays the cumulative count value on the display circuit 24.

Note that the integration count circuit 23 is configured to hold the count value by a backup power supply 25 even when the t source is turned off.

In this way, it becomes clear how many high voltage pulses have been applied to the piezoceramic element 11, and it becomes possible to predict the lifespan of the piezoceramic element 11 and replace it.

This is particularly effective when a piezoceramic element outputs a weak t-force to align a stone, and the level of the reflected wave confirms that the stone is in focus.

Note that this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented with various modifications without changing the gist.

Although the above-mentioned embodiment uses a piezoceramic element as the shock wave generating element, the present invention may use another element having the same function, such as an electromagnetic induction plate, instead.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the state of deterioration of the shock wave generating element can be accurately determined based on the number of times high voltage pulses are applied, and the element can be removed at an appropriate time without wasting any waste. It is possible to provide a lithotripter that can be replaced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an example of a conventional stone crushing device. 11... Piezo ceramic element 12... Ultrasonic globe 3... Water tank 14 5... Pulser 7... DC high voltage circuit 9... Display circuit l... Voltage determination circuit 3... Integration count circuit 5... Backup power supply... Ultrasonic diagnostic device 16... Trigger circuit 18... Count circuit 20... Voltage setting circuit 22... Gate circuit 24... Display circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Lithotripsy comprising a shock wave generating means for generating and focusing shock waves using a shock wave generating element, a positioning means for determining the position of the calculus, and a pulser for applying a pulse voltage to the shock wave generating means. A stone crushing device, characterized in that the device is provided with an integrating counter that counts the number of pulses applied only when the pulse voltage is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. (2) The calculus crushing device according to claim (1), wherein the integration counter retains the counting contents even when the power is cut off. (3) Claim (1) or (2), wherein the shock wave generating element is a piezo element or an electromagnetic induction plate.
Lithotripsy device as described.