# US 12,329,398 B2 · Stone fragment capture systems for lithotripsy systems

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- Number: US 12,329,398 B2
- Document ID: US12329398B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/417,387
- Filed: 2024-01-19
- Published: 2024-05-09
- Granted: 2025-06-17
- Earliest claimed: 2020-08-14
- Assignees: Gyrus ACMI, Inc.
- Applicants: Gyrus Acmi, Inc.
- Inventors: Charles A. Baker; David Bloem; Richard M. Braga; Arthur J. Bertelson; Brian Schneider
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12329398B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/22: Implements for squeezing-off ulcers or the like on inner organs of the body; Implements for scraping-out cavities of body organs, e.g. bones; for invasive removal or destruction of calculus using mechanical vibrations; for removing obstructions in blood vessels, not otherwise provided for
- A61B 17/22012: {in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement (for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245)}
- A61B 17/320758: {with a rotating cutting instrument, e.g. motor driven (A61B17/320725, A61B17/32075 and A61B17/320783 take precedence; for removing intra-ocular material A61F9/00763; endoscopic rotatable cutting instruments A61B17/32002)}
- A61M 1/60: {Containers for suction drainage, adapted to be used with an external suction source (containers not adapted for subjection to vacuum A61M1/69)}
- A61M 1/79: {Filters for solid matter (specially adapted for dental use A61C17/065)}
- A61M 39/06: Haemostasis valves, i.e. gaskets sealing around a needle, catheter or the like, closing on removal thereof
- A61M 39/12: for joining a flexible tube to a rigid attachment
- A61B 2017/0034: {adapted to be inserted through a working channel of an endoscope}
- A61B 2017/22011: {Combined types of vibration, e.g. ultrasonic and electrohydraulic}
- A61B 2017/22014: {the ultrasound transducer being outside patient's body; with an ultrasound transmission member; with a wave guide; with a vibrated guide wire}
- A61B 2017/22025: {applying a shock wave (A61B2017/22091 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2017/22079: {with suction of debris}
- A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system
- A61M 2039/0666: {Flap-valve}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)}

## Abstract

A lithotripsy device can comprise a handpiece, a lithotripsy probe extending from the handpiece, an energization source configured to deliver an energy to a distal end of the lithotripsy probe, a suction passage extending from the distal end of the probe and through the handpiece, and a capture device comprising a container comprising a storage space, an entry port configured to couple to the handpiece at the suction passage, and an exit port, and a capture element connected to the container and configured to facilitate capture of stone fragments within the storage space. A method can comprise fragmenting stones with a lithotripsy device, drawing a vacuum through the lithotripsy device to pull stone fragments and waste fluid therethrough, pulling the vacuum through a stone capture device connected to the lithotripsy device, depositing stone fragments within the stone capture device using a capture element, and drawing the vacuum through the device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lithotripsy device comprising:
a handpiece comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion, wherein the handpiece further comprises:
an elongate body;
a first end face at the distal end portion;
a second end face at the proximal end portion;
a first control feature positioned on the elongate body; and
a second control feature positioned on the elongate body;
a lithotripsy probe extending from the first end face of the distal end portion of the handpiece, wherein the first control feature is configured to control activation energy for the lithotripsy probe;
a suction passage extending through the lithotripsy probe and through the handpiece, wherein the second control feature is configured to control suction through the suction passage; and
a capture device coupled directly to the handpiece to receive stone fragments from the suction passage, the capture device comprising:
a container comprising:
a wall defining a storage space within the container;
an entry port configured to couple to the handpiece at the suction passage; and
an exit port;
wherein the container of the capture device couples directly to the second end face; and
a capture element is connected to the container and is configured to facilitate capture of the stone fragments within the storage space.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, wherein the capture device is releasably attached to the handpiece via an attachment mechanism.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The lithotripsy device of claim 2, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises:
a hose coupler extending from the proximal end portion of the handpiece, wherein the suction passage extends through the hose coupler; and
a socket at the entry port to receive the hose coupler.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The lithotripsy device of claim 3, wherein the hose coupler comprises a stem having a barb.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The lithotripsy device of claim 4, wherein the socket for the container comprises a tube extending into the storage space within the wall.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The lithotripsy device of claim 5, wherein the tube is tapered to slow the stone fragments entering the storage space.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The lithotripsy device of claim 5, wherein the barb comprises a resilient rim extending around the stem, wherein a diameter of the barb is larger than an inner diameter of the tube.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, further comprising an elongate flexible tube integral with the exit port.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, wherein the container of the capture device abuts the handpiece of the lithotripsy device.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The lithotripsy device of claim 9, wherein:
the entry port is located in a floor of the container connected to the wall; and
the handpiece has a proximal-most end wall into which the suction passage extends;
wherein the floor abuts the proximal-most end wall.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, wherein:
the first control feature comprises a first button; and
the second control feature comprises a suction knob.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, wherein the capture element comprises a filter disposed in the container to filter fluid flowing into the exit port.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The lithotripsy device of claim 12, wherein the capture element further comprises a deflector positioned within the storage space to deflect the stone fragments away from the exit port.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, wherein the capture element comprises a valve disposed at the entry port, wherein:
the valve is biased to a closed position; and
the valve is configured to be opened when coupled to the handpiece.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, wherein the container comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separable to be able to access the storage space.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The lithotripsy device of claim 1, further comprising an energization source coupled to the handpiece configured to deliver an energy to a distal end of the lithotripsy probe.

### Claim 17

An in-line capture device for collecting stone fragments generated during a lithotripsy procedure from a handpiece of a lithotripsy device, the in-line capture device comprising:
a container comprising:
a wall defining a storage space within the container;
a first entry port coupled to the wall at a floor; and
a first exit port coupled to the wall;
a capture element connected to the container and configured to facilitate capture of stone fragments within the storage space; and
a first coupler on the floor at the first entry port configured to connect the container to a second coupler of the handpiece of the lithotripsy device such that the handpiece abuts the floor, and a second coupler of the handpiece is within the container.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The in-line capture device of claim 17, wherein the first coupler comprises a resilient opening extending through the container.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The in-line capture device of claim 17, wherein the first coupler comprises an elongate tube extending from the floor at the first entry port along a first axis to extend into the storage space, wherein the first axis of the elongate tube coaxially aligns with a second axis of the first exit port.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The in-line capture device of claim 19, wherein the capture element comprises a deflector positioned within the storage space between the first entry port and the first exit port to deflect the stone fragments away from the first exit port, wherein the deflector is angled obliquely relative to an axis extending between the first entry port and the first exit port.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The in-line capture device of claim 17, wherein the first coupler is configured to receive a barbed hose coupler comprising the second coupler.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

The in-line capture device of claim 17, wherein the capture element comprises a first sealing element disposed at the first entry port.

### Claim 23 (depends on 17)

The in-line capture device of claim 17, wherein the capture element comprises a filter disposed within the storage space.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

The in-line capture device of claim 17, wherein the container further comprises:
an end plate connected to the wall into which the first exit port extends;
wherein the end plate is removable from the wall to access the storage space.

### Claim 25

A lithotripsy device comprising:
a handpiece comprising a distal end portion and a proximal end portion;
a lithotripsy probe extending from the distal end portion of the handpiece;
a suction passage extending through the lithotripsy probe and through the handpiece; and
a capture device coupled directly to the handpiece to receive stone fragments from the suction passage, the capture device comprising:
a container comprising:
a wall defining a storage space within the container;
an entry port configured to couple to the handpiece at the suction passage; and
an exit port; and
a capture element connected to the container and configured to facilitate capture of the stone fragments within the storage space;
wherein the container of the capture device abuts the handpiece of the lithotripsy device.

### Claim 26

A method of retrieving stone fragments during a lithotripsy procedure, the method comprising:
fragmenting stones with a lithotripsy device, the lithotripsy device comprising a handpiece having a coupler extending from an exit port;
drawing a vacuum through the lithotripsy device to pull the stone fragments and waste fluid through the lithotripsy device;
pulling the vacuum through a stone capture device directly connected to the lithotripsy device, wherein the stone capture device abuts the handpiece at the exit port so that the coupler extends into the stone capture device;
depositing the stone fragments within the stone capture device using a capture element; and
continuing to draw the vacuum to deposit the waste fluid in a waste container.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein depositing the stone fragments within the stone capture device using the capture element comprises:
guiding the stones fragments out of the lithotripsy device and into the stone capture device through a coupling interface between the lithotripsy device and the stone capture device.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The method of claim 27, wherein guiding the stones fragments out of the lithotripsy device and into the stone capture device through the coupling interface between the lithotripsy device and the stone capture device comprises:
guiding the stone fragments through a tube stem of the lithotripsy device; and
guiding the stone fragments from the tube stem through an entry port in the stone capture device that receives the tube stem.

### Claim 29 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein depositing the stone fragments within the stone capture device using the capture element comprises:
opening a valve with the stone capture device by coupling of the stone capture device to the lithotripsy device to permit entry of the stone fragments and the waste fluid into the stone capture device.

### Claim 30 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein depositing the stone fragments within the stone capture device using the capture element comprises:
filtering the stone fragments from the waste fluid within the stone capture device.

### Claim 31 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein depositing the stone fragments within the stone capture device using the capture element comprises:
deflecting the stone fragments entering the stone capture device to discourage egress of the stone fragments out of the stone capture device.

### Claim 32 (depends on 26)

The method of claim 26, wherein a first axis of an inlet of the stone capture device coaxially aligns with a second axis of an outlet of the stone capture device.