Lithotriptor device for trapping and destroying concretions

Claim 1

An electrohydraulic lithotriptor device to be used with an endoscope for trapping and destroying concretions such as kidney stones comprising: a base part, having a manually operable trigger, a flexible, insulating tubing, having one end connected to and extending from said base part and having the other end adapted to be positioned adjacent a concretion by insertion through said endoscope, an electrically conductive wire, extending and axially movable through and beyond said tubing and having an exposed end, a stone trapping device secured to said wire adjacent said exposed end and adapted to trap said concretion, an electrode carried by said tubing, adjacent said exposed end, said wire being retractable to pull said concretion trapped by said stone trapping device into close proximity to said other end of said tubing and to said electrode, means on said base part, and controlled by said trigger, for extending and retracting said wire, a spark generator, and means extending through said base part and said tubing for electrically connecting said wire and said electrode to said spark generator for causing a succession of sparks to jump between said wire and said electrode adjacent said other end of said tubing to generate a shock wave adjacent said concretion to effect destruction thereof.