Patent ID: 9456835
Filing Date: 2016-10-04
CPC Classification: A61B

Claim Text:
1. A lithotripter apparatus for producing a steerable acoustic pressure field, the lithotripter apparatus comprising: a shock wave source configured to generate a shock wave having a axisymmetric acoustic pressure field; an acoustic focusing member positioned for receiving the shock wave prior to the shock wave traveling to a target; and an acoustic barrier positioned between the shock wave source and the acoustic focusing member, the acoustic barrier configured to selectively block a portion of the shock wave generated by the shock wave source such that the axisymmetric pressure field is transformed into a modified acoustic pressure field; wherein the acoustic barrier comprises: one or more frames positioned about a perimeter edge of the shock wave source; and a plurality of inflatable channels constrained by the one or more frames, each of the inflatable channels comprising a first port and a second port for connection to one or more fluid sources, wherein the plurality of inflatable channels are selectively inflatable in a direction extending toward a central axis of the shock wave source.