Abstract: A medical device for entraining biological stones during medical procedures for the fragmentation of urinary, biliary, pancreatic, and other biological calculi and safely removing them from the body. The device includes a guidewire having a longitudinally-extending wire core. A portion of the wire core more adjacent the distal end thereof than the proximal end thereof is wound to form a helical coil which tapers in diameter from a larger diameter end at the proximal end thereof to a smaller diameter end at the distal end thereof. At least a portion of the core forming said helical coil is made of a super-elastic deformable material which collapses upon retraction into a tubular sheath and which reforms into a coil upon deployment from the sheath.

Abstract: A piezo-electric stent and capillary tube is disclosed wherein the polarized piezoelectric material is cylindrical and is disposed between two concentric cylindrical electrodes. The piezo-electric material is polarized either radially or uniformly perpendicularly to the axis of the stent. The stent or capillary tube is provided with leads to each electrode that may then be connected to a stationary or portable energy source. The piezo-electric device of the invention is useful to reduce concretions forming on the stent and to reduce the size of kidney stones or other bodily concretions. The invention produces vibrations which themselves may be beyond the yield strength of the target concretion or have a high cycle frequency which fatigues concretions to the point of failure of the concretion.

Abstract: A medical device for entraining biological stones during medical procedures for the fragmentation of urinary, biliary, pancreatic, and other biological calculi and safely removing them from the body. The device includes a guidewire having a longitudinally-extending wire core. A portion of the wire core more adjacent the distal end thereof than the proximal end thereof is wound to form a helical coil which tapers in diameter from a larger diameter end at the proximal end thereof to a smaller diameter end at the distal end thereof. At least a portion of the core forming said helical coil is made of a super-elastic deformable material which collapses upon retraction into a tubular sheath and which reforms into a coil upon deployment from the sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the analysis of mineral precipitate formation, and for the identification of compounds that affect mineral precipitation. The invention also provides methods and compositions for inhibiting formation of mineral precipitates, especially of mineral precipitates including struvite and/or calcium phosphate. Furthermore, the invention provides methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of struvite kidney stones.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fracturing hard deposits such as urinary and biliary stones and atherosclerotic plaque in the human body. A flexible guide having a hard mass capping an end is adapted for insertion through a fluid passage in a living body. An energy source creates a rapid vapor expansion adjacent to the cap causing it to undergo a pulse like movement, imparting a high-velocity impulse to an adjacent deposit, thereby fracturing it. The energy source may be a laser with a fiber optic delivery system in the guide terminating adjacent to the cap to cause vaporization of the mass cap to create the vapor expansion. The energy source may be a spark generator with a conductor associated with the guide to deliver a fluid vaporizing spark adjacent to the mass cap. Other forms of rapid energy delivery such as chemical detonations or ballistic impact may also be applicable.

Abstract: A catheter device for capturing and holding kidney stones and the like wherein the catheter is an elongated tube having a cuff portion disposed on one end thereof capable of being collapsed axially inwardly into the tube and a snare disposed and axially moveable within the catheter for capturing and holding a kidney stone and collapsing the cuff portion. The snare is a second elongated tube capable of receiving a laser fiber for disintegrating a kidney stone when captured and held by the snare.

Abstract: A device capable of being used as both a dilator and catheter is presented. The dilator-catheter is comprised of an expandable housing having an interior wall and exterior wall with a space therebetween. A longitudinal cavity is provided through the housing, the cavity being defined by the interior wall. A preferably disc-shape retaining means is provided as an integral portion of the housing. The disc retainer is capable of greater relative expansion than the rest of the housing. Access means are also provided whereby any fluid, including air or liquid, may be delivered to the housing whereupon the entire housing will expand accordingly.