Abstract: The present invention relates to a vortex bubble removing and cooling system for the electromagnetic shock wave generator in the lithotripter. The vortex bubble-removing and cooling system comprises a water-full cushion (17), a metal diaphragm (14) installed inside the chamber body (27) of the water cushion (17) and a coil (13) which is installed at the backside of the metal diaphragm (14). There is at least one first water nozzle (22) on the side wall of the chamber body (27) and a water suction tube (23) at the center of the chamber body (27). The first water nozzle (22) and the water suction tube (23) form a vortex-generating device. The vortex generated inside the chamber body will scour the surface of the metal diaphragm continuously so as to cool the heat and remove the air bubble. This will make the metal diaphragm be in good working condition and greatly increase the working life of the metal diaphragm and the coil.

Abstract: An optical reflection hydrophone probe is described for determining the pressure time sequence of pressure waves in liquids. In such a hydrophone probe one end of an optical waveguide (glass fiber) dips into the liquid. The reflection of light at the end of the glass fiber is ties, through the relation between the index of refraction and density, to the pressure amplitude in the liquid. The optical reflection hydrophone probe permits acquisition of pressure signals which are vey steep such as shockwaves and amplitudes, for long use life of the probe and for an extremely high ratio of safety against interference.

Abstract: Contactfree comminution of concrements in the body of a living being by means of focused shock waves, there being an axis on which a concrement is located; the improvement relates to controlling the production of shock waves (a) spherically such that the shock wave pressure amplitude decreases with radial distance from said axis and (b) temporally such that the amplitudes rise steeply at first and decay relatively slowly after having passed through a maximum.

Abstract: A device for contactless comminution of concrements in the body of living beings includes a casing with a hollow interior filled with a shock wave transmitting medium; the internal surface configuration is spherically-calotte shaped serving as support for an electric coil covered by insulation which in turn supports a metallic membrane of spherically-calotte shaped configuration, in addition the cavity has a boundary configured as a truncated cone, the apex of the cone coincides with the center of curvature of the membrane. The cavity content is under compression (liquid or solid) and is closed by a coupling member to be placed in abutment with the body of the human being, this coupling member may shift the focal point of the shock waves.