Originally Published EMDM November/December 2002
INDUSTRY NEWS
Ring-Track Slide Ensures Shock Wave Accuracy |
| A lithotripter from device OEM Richard Wolf painlessly breaks up kidney stones in patients without the use of anaesthesia. |
Extracorporeal lithotripters fragment kidney stones by means of precisely targeted piezoelectric shock waves. The procedure does not require anaesthesia and it is pain-free, as long as the shock waves do not touch adjoining tissue. To achieve the required degree of accuracy, the piezoelectric source is mounted on an arc-shaped ring-track slide system that swivels 55° vertically in either direction. When medical device OEM Richard Wolf (Knittlingen, Germany) developed its Piezolith 3000 lithotripter, the company designed an aluminium slide with toothed gears to position the therapy source. Design flaws soon became apparent.
Particles of abraded material and a thin film of lubricant tended to rub off the slide onto the clothing of medical staff. Engineers at the firm also discovered that the aluminium profile could not adequately support the piezoelectric source, resulting in imprecise positioning in the upper 55° range. The company did not go back to the drawing board, however. It found a solution at the stand of Hepco Linearsysteme (Feucht, Germany) while attending the Motek trade show in Sinsheim, Germany.
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| A ring slide from Hepco Linearsysteme is used to position the lithotripter's piezoelectric therapy source with an accuracy of ±1 mm. The V profile prevents dust particles from adhering to the system. |
As part of its family of TR ring and track slides, Hepco offers a 799-mm-diam stainless-steel system that precisely matches the dimensions required by the Piezolith 3000. The slide profile is configured in a V shape to prevent the adhesion of fine dust particles. In addition, the unit required minimal customization: only the toothed segment of the ring slide was milled for use with the Piezolith 3000. "Everything else is standard," says Michael Burkhardt, who oversaw development of the lithotripter at Richard Wolf. "So, it was very cost-effective." Burkhardt also lauds the system's accuracy, its guidance precision, and clean operation. "Since the ring slide is no longer lubricated, smudges and stains are a thing of the past," says Burkhardt. The company's lithotripters have been equipped with the Hepco ring slide since the beginning of the year.
TR ring and track slides are available in four widths from 12 to 76 mm, with ring diameters from 93 to 1033 mm. The straight sides have single lengths up to 4020 mm. The rings are available in 90°, 180°, and complete segments.
For more information about the components, contact Hepco Linearsysteme, Postfach 1130, D-90537 Feucht, Germany; phone: +49 9128 92710; fax: +49 9128 927150; e-mail: hepco.de@hepco.co.uk; Internet: www.hepco-ls.de.
Copyright ©2002 European Medical Device Manufacturer
