Abstract: A water system is provided for an extracoporeal lithotripter. The reflector is aimed downwardly and has a spark gap at the first focus point thereof for generating a shock wave. A rubber diaphragm spans the lower end of the reflector. A water reservoir is provided along with pipes and a pump for circulating water from the reservoir to the reflector and back. A vacuum pump maintains pressure below ambient in the reservoir, the reflector and connecting pipes to control downward ballooning of the diaphragm.

Abstract: An extracorporeal lithotripter has an ultrasound transducer mounted within the lithotripter reflector. The reflector and transducer are oriented downwardly, and a housing surrounds the transducer to protect the transducer from shockwaves generated within the reflector at the first focus point thereof. The housing opens downwardly, and a sleeve encircles the lower portion of the housing and extends below the housing. A conduit is connected to the sleeve to provide pressure less than atmospheric in said sleeve to effect filling of said sleeve with water for operation of the ultrasound transducer. The conduit alternatively and selectively effects filling of the sleeve with gas to protect against reflected shockwaves from below that might otherwise damage the transducer.

Abstract: An extracorporeal lithotripter has a base mounted on wheels for movement about a floor or the like. There is an upright extensible support on the base caring a horizontal extensible support. The horizontal support has a swivel at its outer end with a pair of diverging arms pivotably carrying a truncated ellipsoidal reflector having an otherwise open end closed by a flexible membrane. A spark gap is disposed at the first focal point of the reflector. The second focal point is beyond the membrane and is to be placed on a kidney stone or the like to be disintegrated. Parts are manually movable, and an electric screw jack controls extension of the upright support. The movable parts are all locked by electric brakes except when a pushbutton switch is pushed and held to unlock the brakes for movement of the movable parts. The lithotripter is remarkably simple, rugged and inexpensive.

Abstract: An extracorporeal lithotripter is provided with an ultrasound transducer on the rotational center line of the reflector and substantially at the open end of the reflector. The transducer is protected against shockwaves by a metallic housing in which it is mounted. The transducer at one end engages the housing through a resilient plastic disk, and is spaced laterally from the housing by a rubber O-ring adjacent the open end of the housing. The housing directly shields or shadows the transducer so that shockwaves are not transmitted to the transducer, which could damage the transducer and shorten its life.

Abstract: A lithotripter reflector is disclosed which has an ultrasound transducer mounted at the open end of the reflector and on the axis of rotation. The transducer is supported in a brass socket, and a pair of oppositely directed arms are aligned with one another and extend in opposite directions from the housing. The outer ends of the arms are provided with steel blocks which are ground to precision size. The blocks are received in carefully milled sockets in said reflector so that insertion of the blocks in the sockets accurately positions the housing and hence the transducer.

Abstract: A ureteral stent is nominally straight, but is provided with a coil adjacent one end to prevent migration. The coil portion is straightened upon insertion into the ureter on a guide wire, and is supposed to coil after insertion to prevent migration. An electronic signal is provided when such coiling does take place, and is applied to externally human descernable structure such as a meter. Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed, and may include a metallic cylinder embedded in the end of the stent and disposed adjacent a coil within the straight portion of the stent for inductive relation when the coiled portion has properly coiled following insertion.

Abstract: An instrument for attacking calculi of a patient by hydraulic impacts formed by electrical discharges in a liquid medium surrounding the calculi by detecting if the discharge end of the lithotrite of the instrument is adjacent to tissue of the patient and detecting by measuring the conductivity of the liquid medium and determining whether the measured conductivity falls within predetermined levels.

Abstract: In a system in which temperature control of a heated region is critical, assurance means of fail-safe nature are provided to guard against improper temperature. An example wherein temperature is critical is: the artificial ventilation of an unconcious patient's lungs by periodically inspired heated gas under pressure. The assurance means includes dual thermometers which sense the actual temperature in the heated region. The actual temperature is compared with the desired temperature to control an electric heater, which, when energized, increase the temperature of the heated region. Furthermore, the temperatures, as sensed by the two thermometers, are compared with each other. If the difference exceeds a predetermined limit, an alarm is given and the heating system is shut down.

Abstract: A system for automatically controlling the amount of heat delivered to a human body through ventilator therapy so as to maintain the body at a desired core temperature. The temperature of the inspired and expired gas is measured by temperature sensors to control operation of an inhalation heater so that the inspired gas temperature tracks the expired gas temperature with different adjusted separations. Automatic switching is under control of a body core temperature sensor detecting deviations from the desired body temperature.

Abstract: For use in inhalation therapy, a system for raising inhalation temperature which senses both inhalation and exhalation temperatures. In one mode of operation, the inhalation temperature is continuously raised, while the time sequence of inhalation and exhalation temperatures is recorded. In another mode of operation, the inhalation temperature is made to track, at a constant lower offset, the exhalation temperature.