Abstract: The invention is directed to a coupling device for introducing acoustic waves into the extremity of a life form, said coupling device comprising a rigid, hollow-cylindrical outside part as the entry wall for the acoustic waves, a flexible hose section coaxially arranged in the outside part as the exit wall, and a propagation medium for the acoustic waves which fills the annular space between outside part and hose section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for stimulating bone growth in a mammal. The method comprises the step of exposing a bone zone where bone growth is to occur to cavitation for bringing forth haemorrhage and/or microfissures and/or to at least partially loosened bone chips at said bone zone.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treating a patient with focused acoustic waves has a source of focused acoustic waves which converge in a focus zone, and a locating system for locating a therapeutically relevant region of the body of the patient. The locating system has a graphic display for displaying an image of the therapeutically relevant region (S). The apparatus also includes control and circuitry mixing a properly scaled contour (C) of the focus zone within the respective image defining a boundary within which the acoustic waves do not fall below a threshold with respect to an acoustic characteristic. The controls can be used to set the size of the contour directly, or to set the size with respect to one or more selected acoustic parameters.

Abstract: A therapy system for treating a subject with focused acoustic waves for use with a separately available x-ray examination device for forming a high-grade acoustic therapy work station with x-ray locating disclosed. The therapy system includes a therapy head having an x-ray impermeable mark used to align the therapy system with a subject during the x-ray locating, and an acoustic sensing component, which identifies the distance between an acoustic wave source in the therapy head and a region of the subject to be treated, for relatively positioning the subject and the therapy head so that the region is in the focus of the acoustic waves.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating bone pathologies with acoustic waves includes a source of focused acoustic waves, a system for displacing the focus of the acoustic waves, and a system for locating the boundary surface between the bone to be treated and surrounding tissue. The locating system generates signals corresponding to the position of the boundary surface. A control unit, which operates the focused displacing system, is supplied with the signals identifying the position of the boundary surface, so that the focused displacing system is controlled to maintain the focus substantially at the boundary surface, independently of the position of the acoustic wave source.

Abstract: A pressure pulse generator has an electromagnetic pressure pulse source which includes a coil arrangement for driving an electrically conductive membrane. The coil arrangement is divided into a first annular coil section and a second annular coil section, the second annular coil section surrounding the first annular coil section. The respective ends of the coil sections are maintained at respective electrical potentials so that, upon activation of the pressure pulse generator to generate pressure pulses, voltage arcing between the respective ends of the coil sections and components adjacent thereto is precluded.

Abstract: An electromagnetic or electrodynamic shockwave source for generating acoustic shockwaves has a movable element which can be driven for generating the shockwaves, and a stationary element which is in electromagnetic interaction with the movable element to drive the movable element. A membrane which contains an electrical coil arrangement, the coil being charged with high-voltage pulses to cause the generation of shockwaves, is provided as the movable element. A component containing electrically conductive material is disposed opposite the coil arrangement, and is provided as the stationary element.

Abstract: An electrically driveable shockwave source for generating acoustic shockwaves of the type suitable for medical therapy, as a coil arrangement and a membrane disposed adjacent the coil arrangement. The membrane and/or the coil arrangement is formed by a multi-layer structure, with each layer having electrically conductive elements therein insulated from each other, in the form of electrically conductive sections in the membrane, or electrically conductive windings connected in parallel in the coil arrangement.

Abstract: An acoustic pressure pulse generator has an electrodynamic pressure pulse source formed by a membrane and a coil, so that when the membrane is electrodynamically rapidly repelled from the coil, an acoustic pressure pulse is generated in an acoustic propagation medium adjacent the membrane. A wall is disposed in the pulse generator spaced from the membrane in the direction of pressure pulse propagation, the wall preferably formed as an acoustic lens. The wall defines a space between the wall and the membrane, which is filled with acoustic propagation medium, and which is maintained liquid-tight from a second space situated at the other side of the wall, also containing an acoustic propagation medium. The acoustic propagation medium contained in the first space is maintained at a static pressure which is necessary for returning the membrane to its initial position after being repelled by the coil.

Abstract: A shock wave source of the type suitable for treating calculi in the body of a patient has a closed space filled out by a coupling fluid, as well as a hollow-cylindrical, air-filled space, centrally located in the shock wave head, which does not attenuate x-rays. The centrally located space allows for acceptance of an ultrasound locating system. It is covered on the application side by a flexible foil, providing for a shock wave head which is free from contamination of particles from the opening of the above mentioned space to the application surface of the patient.

Abstract: An extracorporeal lithotriptor has a shock wave head which includes a shock wave generator which generates shock waves to disintegrate calculi in situ, and components for coupling the generated shock wave to the patient. The lithotriptor also includes an x-ray system for locating a calculus to be disintegrated. The x-radiator for the x-ray system and the shock wave head are arranged relative to each other so that a central x-ray of the x-ray system proceeds substantially centrally through the shock wave head. The shock wave head can be arranged either at the housing of the primary radiation diaphragm for the x-ray system, or in front of the input luminescent screen of an x-ray image intensifier. The shock wave head has a central region which is penetrated by x-rays and which does not attenuate the x-rays.

Abstract: A lithotripsy work station having a patient support table and an adjustable mounting arrangement for the shockwave generator which has a coupling chamber with a membrane for coupling the shockwave generator to the patient characterized by the mounting arrangement positioning the shockwave generator directly above the patient supporting table. The shockwave generator can be mounted by a holder which rotates around a vertical axis above the patient supporting table so that a longitudinal axis of the generator can be aligned to intersect with the vertical axis roughly through the center of the patient supporting table. The mounting means can also be a separate holder which is movable in a horizontal direction that is secured to a ceiling in the room or is on a unit movable on the floor. In each of the embodiments, the shockwave generator can be mounted by an adjustable mechanism that allows changing the angle between the vertical axis and the longitudinal axis of the generator.

Abstract: A shock wave generator of the type suitable for use in an extracorporeal lithotripsy treatment of calculi in a patient permits the shock wave generator to be applied to the body surface of the patient, while still permitting adjustment, i.e., displacement, of the focus without removing the shockwave generator from the body surface. For this purpose, the shock wave source is adjustable relative to the housing of the shock wave generator. When the housing, together with the flexible sack which terminates the housing, is acoustically applied to the body surface of the patient, the shock wave source can still be moved within the housing without changing the application to the patient. Additionally, an ultrasound locating system can be arranged in the shock wave source, which can be adjustable in combination with the shock wave source for precisely locating, or relocating, the calculus to be disintegrated.

Abstract: A shock wave source of the type suitable for disintegrating calculi in the body of a patient has a shock wave tube which is filled with a shock wave conducting medium, such as a liquid, which is closed at one end by a flexible cover which can be pressed against the patient by the pressure of the medium, and closed at the other end by a membrane of electrically conducting material. A flat coil is provided which is connected to a high voltage pulse generator. An insulting layer is disposed between the membrane and the coil such that the membrane is insulated from the coil at both ends of the coil.

Abstract: A shock wave source for use in a shock wave generator in an apparatus for extracorporeal lithotripsy treatment of a patient has a shock wave tube filled with a shock wave propagating medium with one end closed by a flexible sack for coupling to the patient, and an opposite end closed by a membrane having at least a portion thereof which is electrically conductive, and a coil disposed adjacent the membrane and connected to a high voltage pulse source. When high voltage pulses are applied to the coil, an electromagnetic field is generated which rapidly repells the membrane, thereby generating a shock wave. The membrane has a flexible base covered by a number of discrete laminae of conductive material. At least some of the laminae may have respectively different mass moments of inertia and/or electrical conductivity. The shock wave source is suitable for treating calculi such as kidney stones.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement for an apparatus for non-contacting disintegration of calculi in the body of the patient by emitting a focus shock wave from an output end of fluid-filled shock wave tube which output end has a flexible membrane which can be yieldingly pressed against the patient to couple the device thereto characterized by a test device having a test member mount being attached to the output end of the shock wave tube and having an arrangement for position a test member at a proposed position of the focal point for the shock wave tube.

Abstract: A lithotripsy work station has a table for supporting a patient which is adjustable in three spatial directions, with at least one shock wave generator disposed below the table. The shock wave generator is adjustably mounted so that movement of its focus to an isocenter is possible. For locating renal calculi, an x-ray examination apparatus is provided which transilluminates the patient at various angles. A plane defined by two central rays of the x-ray apparatus proceeds through the longitudinal axis of the patient supporting table, such that one radiator of the x-ray system emits radiation in an a.p.-direction and a second radiator of the x-ray apparatus emits radiation in the caudal-cranial direction. The x-ray radiators can be moved out of the work area, as needed. The work station can be used for shock wave treatments, for urological treatments and for x-ray examinations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a shock wave generator for an apparatus for non-contacting disintegration of calculi in the body of a life form which includes a housing filled with a liquid, a membrane closing the housing and connected thereto along the edge thereof, and a device for pulse-like driving of the membrane. In order to suppress overstressing of the membrane and deformations of the membrane which are diletorious in view of the focussability of the shock waves, a tubular spring resilient in the moving direction of said membrane are provided between said housing and said membrane, said membrane being connected to said housing with said resilient spring in a fashion essentially free of bending moment.

Abstract: A shock wave source of the type suitable for treating calculi in the body of a patient has a shock wave tube filled with a shock wave-conducting medium which is closed at one end by a flexible cover adapted to be pressed against the patient, and closed at an opposite end by a membrane. A flat coil is disposed parallel to and spaced from the membrane, with an insulation layer therebetween. The coil is connected to a high voltage pulse generator. The membrane consists of an insulator disc having electrically conductive tracks thereon, preferably concentrically disposed. The conductive tracks constitute a significantly lengthened path which must be overcome in order to generate an arc between the membrane and the coil, so that unwanted arcing is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: An apparatus for disintegrating calculi situated in the body of a life form has a shock wave generator and an examination apparatus for locating the calculi within the body. The examination apparatus includes at least one image memory in which an image of a portion of the body, including the calculi to be disintegrated, is stored. A comparator compares the stored image with an image chronologically following the store image to determine any movement of the calculi which may have occurred between the generation of the compared images. The position of a shock wave generator relative to the calculi is set based on the stored image, and the shock wave generator is energized to disintegrate the calculi upon the recognition of a subsequent image most closely corresponding to the stored image.