Pleated diaphragm for coupling kidney stone disintegrator to human body

摘要

An extracorporeal kidney stone disintegrator comprises an ellipsoidal reflector having an open end. A spark gap is positioned in said reflector at the first focus point thereof. A flexible cap closes the otherwise open end of said reflector, and a body of liquid fills said reflector and said cap. The cap is adapted for disposition against a human body having therein a concretion such as a kidney stone to be disintegrated. The reflector is positioned so that the concretion lies on the second focus point of the reflector. Generation of a spark across said spark gap causes generation of a shock wave focused on the concretion and coupled to the concretion by the body of liquid and the tissues of the body through the cap. The cap has an annular pleat enhancing flexibility of the cap.