Probe for electrohydraulic lithotriptor - has lamella-like spreading arms distributed about circumference of head

摘要

Two electrodes, insulated against each other, extend from the open end face of the probe head. Spreadable elements surround this open end in beam fashion. The spreadable elements are in the form of lamella-like, flexible expanding arms (17). Their ends are distributed around and fixed to the circumference of the probe head (11). They extend axially in-front of the open end surface (12) of the head against their own elasticity. They are releasably coupled together. The coupling can be released by a hydraulic pressure wave produced by arcing between the electrodes (13,14). The arms then bend radially outwards under their own elasticity. ADVANTAGE - Protects body tissue in application channel while reducing range of application and effectiveness of probe only slightly.