JPH02246960A - Discharge stone crusher - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To protect and endoscope from an impact due to a discharge and to prevent a damage by providing an opening to be positioned at a rear side from an electrode for discharge at a head part and to discharge a gas or a liquid including the gas onto the side surface of a probe main body. CONSTITUTION:Plural openings 6 are provided in being positioned at the rear side from an electrode 4 for discharge and at a uniform angle interval onto the side surface of a probe 2 main body, and individual tubes 7 are connected to respective openings 6. An inserting part 11 of the endoscope is introduced into a body cavity 11, and the head of the inserting part 11 is made to advance near to a stone 13. In such a condition, a probe 1 is penetratingly inserted through a channel 14 for penetrating insertion of the endoscope, it is projected at a definites distance from the endoscope head, an air is fed from the base of the probe 1 into the tube 7, the air is discharged from respective openings 6, a voltage is impressed to the electrode 4 and the discharge is caused. At such a time, many bubbles 15 are generated, and the wall of an air layer is formed between the head of the probe 1 and the head surface of the endoscope inserting part 11. Consequently, at the time of the discharge, a shock wave (w) propagated under the water can be shielded, and it goes not reach the head surface of the endoscope inserting part 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an electric discharge lithotripter that treats stones formed in the kidney, ureter, bile duct, etc. by destroying them using shock waves generated by electric discharge.

[Conventional technology]

This type of electric discharge lithotripter has an electrode at the tip of a probe made of a flexible tube, and uses shock waves from discharge sparks from the electrode to crush stones formed within the body cavity.

This device is then used in combination with an endoscope. That is, a probe made of a flexible tubular body is inserted into an insertion channel of an endoscope, protruded from the distal end of the endoscope into the body cavity, and an electric discharge is generated between the electrodes in the vicinity of the target stone.

However, since the shock waves caused by the discharge spread concentrically around the electrodes, the shock waves were also transmitted to the lens surface at the tip of the endoscope, causing problems such as the lenses breaking due to the pressure of the shock waves.

As a measure to prevent this lens from cracking, there is a method disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-32754. In this probe, a tip opening for supplying air or liquid is provided on the tip surface of the probe, and the shock wave is absorbed by ejecting air or a high viscosity liquid containing air from the tip opening.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, with this structure, a wall made of air that absorbs shock waves or a high viscosity liquid containing air prevents the tip of the probe, where the discharge electrode is located, from connecting with the calculus. In the meantime, it will be formed. For this reason, there is a problem in that the shock wave caused by the discharge is absorbed before reaching the stone, and the stone cannot be broken or it takes a long time to break it.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its purpose is to prevent shock waves caused by electric discharge from being transmitted to the distal end side of an endoscope, thereby avoiding damage to the endoscope. Our goal is to provide the following.

(c) Means and operation for solving the problem] In order to solve the above-mentioned communication problem, the electric discharge lithotripter of the present invention provides a discharge electrode at the tip of the probe body that can be inserted into the insertion channel of the endoscope, and An opening for discharging gas or a liquid containing gas is provided on the side surface of the probe body located behind the electrode for use, and a conduit for supplying the gas or liquid containing gas is connected to this opening. It is something.

Air or a liquid containing air is then ejected from the opening on the side surface of the tip of the probe, so that the group of bubbles forms a wall of air space between the tip of the probe and the tip of the endoscope. Therefore, this air wall blocks the shock waves that propagate through the water during discharge and does not reach the distal end surface of the endoscope.

The endoscope is then protected from impact by the discharge, thereby preventing damage.

Furthermore, since a wall of air that absorbs shock waves is created on the rear side of the distal end of the probe, the shock waves are sufficiently transmitted to the calculus side, increasing the efficiency of lithotripsy.

[Embodiment] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a probe in an electric discharge lithotripter used endoscopically, and the probe body 2 is formed into a tubular shape from a flexible material such as synthetic resin. A solid cylindrical tip 3 made of an electrically insulating material is fitted and fixed to the tip of the probe body 2. A pair of discharge electrodes 4.4 are buried in the tip 3 with their tip surfaces exposed. Each discharge electrode 4.4 has a pair of electrode cords 5.5 inserted into the tube-shaped probe body 2.
are electrically connected separately. The pair of electrode cords 5, 5 are led through the probe body 2 to a discharge power source (not shown).

Furthermore, a plurality of openings 6. are formed at equal intervals around the entire circumference on the side surface of the tip of the probe body 2. ... is formed. That is, the openings 6, . . . are positioned rearward from the discharge electrodes 4, 4, and are provided on the side surface of the probe body 2 at equal angular intervals. Separate tubes 7, . . . are connected to each opening 6, . . . to supply gas or gas-containing liquid to each opening 6, . It constitutes a conduit that supplies... Note that these tubes 7, . . . are fixed to the inner surface of the probe body 2 in a watertight manner by adhesive or other means. Further, the proximal ends of these tubes 7, . . . are connected to a cap (not shown).

Next, the operation of this electric discharge stone crushing device will be explained. Second
As shown in the figure, the insertion section 11 of the endoscope is introduced into the body cavity 12 in advance, and the distal end of the insertion section 11 is advanced close to the calculus 13 to be crushed.

In this state, the probe 1 of the lithotripter is inserted through the insertion channel 14 of the endoscope and protrudes a certain distance from the tip of the endoscope.

After confirming the position of the tip of the probe 1 and the stone 13, the operator sends air into the tubes 7, . . . from the base of the probe 1. And each opening 6. While discharging from ..., a voltage is applied to the discharge electrodes 4, 4 to cause discharge.

At this time, each of the openings 6. Since air is released from ... toward the sides of the probe 1, a large number of bubbles 15°... are generated, and these bubbles form a contact between the tip of the probe 1 and the distal end surface of the insertion section 11 of the endoscope. forming a wall of air space between them.

Therefore, the air wall blocks the shock wave W that propagates through the water during discharge, and does not reach the distal end surface of the insertion section 11 in the endoscope.

A lens 16 for objective, illumination, etc. is provided on the distal end surface of the insertion portion 11.
...but these are protected from shock by electric discharge,
Prevent damage.

Furthermore, since an air wall that absorbs shock waves is created on the rear side of the distal end surface of the probe 1, the shock waves are sufficiently transmitted to the calculus 13, increasing the stone crushing efficiency.

According to the above configuration, damage to the endoscope is prevented when the endoscope and the discharge lithotripter are used in combination, and the durability of the endoscope is improved. This makes the endoscope cheaper and more economical than making the endoscope itself so that it can withstand shock waves.

Note that in the above embodiment, the opening 6. ...Not only air but also a liquid containing air, such as physiological saline, may be supplied.

3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the probe body 2 is formed from a flexible multi-lumen tube. A multi-lumen tube has multiple lumens 21. It is a tube integrally formed by forming a plurality of lumens 21. ..., a pair of lumens 21.2
Each discharge electrode 4.4 is provided using the tip portion of one.

Each of the discharge electrodes 4, 4 is buried in the tip of the lumen 21.21, and the tip surface thereof is exposed to the outside. Each discharge electrode 4.4 has an electrode cord 5.
．． 5 are electrically connected, and the electrode cords 5, 5 are inserted into the lumen 21.21. Also, the lumen 2
1, 21, or other lumens 21. . . . are connected to the openings 6, . It constitutes a conduit that supplies... Lumen 21 used for this conduit. ... are sealed watertightly with a filler 22 such as adhesive.

This embodiment can also be used in the same manner as above. In particular, since a multi-lumen tube is used in the probe body, the probe 1 can be manufactured at a lower cost than that of the first embodiment.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, a control unit may be provided that controls the supply of air or a liquid containing air to the opening at the tip of the probe immediately before applying a discharge voltage to the discharge electrode by the discharge power source. In this way, the supply operation is performed automatically, making the operator's work easier. Further, the control section may be incorporated into the discharge power source, and the air supply pump may be incorporated into the discharge power source main body.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the endoscope is not damaged by the shock waves during discharge lithotripsy.

Therefore, increasing the durability and safety of the endoscope.

Moreover, the efficiency of electric discharge stone crushing can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of a probe showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the probe in use, also showing the first embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the probe showing the second embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the probe showing the second embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Probe, 2... Probe main body, 4... Electrode for discharge, 6... Opening part, 7... Tube.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A probe body that can be inserted into the insertion channel of an endoscope, a discharge electrode provided at the tip of the probe body, and a discharge electrode located behind the discharge electrode and formed on the side surface of the probe body to conduct gas or 1. An electrical discharge stone crushing device comprising: an opening for discharging a liquid containing a gas; and a conduit for supplying the gas or the liquid containing the gas to the opening.