Instrument for lithotripsy

#a) Field of the Invention

#The invention relates to an instrument for lithotripsy having a probe which can be vibrated by a drive and which extends through a channel in the shaft of an endoscope and is supported and guided proximally externally of the endoscope by a guide element aligned on the channel mentioned.

#b) Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 shows an operation endoscope with rinsing and probing attachment and guide element of the invention,

#FIG. 2 shows a side view of the rinsing and probing attachment, which can be adapted to an endoscope shaft, with the guide element to be attached to it,

#FIG. 3 shows a cross-section through the rinsing and probing attachment along the section line A-B according to FIG. 2,

#According to FIG. 1, the instrument equipped for lithotripsy comprises an endoscope 1 having a shaft 2, to the proximal end of which is attached a rinsing and probing attachment 3. This has introduction valves 6 and 7 connected with guide channels 4 and 5 (FIG. 3) of the endoscope shaft 2 and rinsing valves 8 and 9. A guide element 10 is releasably attached to the attachment 3 and its distal end partially overlaps the attachment 3, and the cylindrical housing 11a of a probe drive 11 serving as a handle is pushed into the proximal end of the guide element 10. The guide element guides an ultrasound probe 12 passing through the entire instrument proximally as far as the distal end of the endoscope shaft 2. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 indicates an auxiliary instrument 13 with a loop 14 for fixing the concretion to be destroyed. The auxiliary instrument extends through the introduction valve 7, an introduction tube 15 and one of the channels 4, 5.

#Fixing the guide element 10 to the attachment 3 takes place by means of a clamping screw 16 which is screwed in a threaded bore of the attachment 3 and the guide element 10 connects frictionally with the attachment.

#The guide element 10 has a substantially cylindrical shape and on the proximal side has a first chamber 17 in the form of a cylindrical bore for receiving one end of the drive housing 11a also having a cylindrical shape, the diameters being adapted so that an easy sliding fit is produced. The guide element 10 has on the distal side a second chamber 18 which is accessible by means of a lateral recess 19. The recess 19 is open towards the distal end by means of a slot 20 as passage for the introduction tube 15 when placing the guide element 10 on the attachment 3. An open elongated hole 21 for the threaded shaft of the clamping screw 16 lies opposite this slot 20. Furthermore, the guide element 10 is provided at its distal end with grooves 22 lying laterally opposite one another to ensure free access to the actuation levers of the rinsing valves 8 and 9.