Abstract: An apparatus for generating focused shockwaves and ultrasound waves comprises a concave reflector holding a cylindrical coil at its center axis. A power generator comprising a combined shockwave and ultrasound generator device is connected to the coil for alternatingly providing an ultrasound signal and a shockwave signal to the coil such that the coil alternatingly generates ultrasound waves and shockwaves.

Abstract: A shockwave transducer for a lithotripter includes a shockwave source and a body with an exit aperture. The transducer is configured to generate a shockwave propagating from the body and through the exit aperture. The body comprises at least one diffuser, which engages into the shockwave propagating from the body. This diffuser includes a material characterized by a propagation velocity of the shockwave that is different from the propagation velocity of the shockwave in the surrounding medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shock wave apparatus for treating the human or animal body with an applicator which is intended to couple strokes into the body and has a hollow shape at a front area intended to be placed on the body and a relatively soft elastomeric material with a maximum Shore A hardness of 60 Sh.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a human or animal body by mechanical strokes, wherein an applicator for being placed on the patient's body surface has a basically oblique front area portion in an angle between 30° and 60° to the stroke direction.

Abstract: A urological device include a patient table with longitudinal and broad sides, and an X-ray imaging system containing an X-ray source and an X-ray detector for detecting the X-ray radiation emitted by the X-ray source towards the patient on the patient table. A first linear drive is provided for moving the X-ray source parallel to the broad side and a second linear drive is provided for moving the X-ray detector parallel to the broad side, but in an opposite direction. A dedicated pivoting mechanism is configured to pivot the X-ray source around a first pivot axis.

Abstract: A device for treating the human or animal brain with shockwaves has a shockwave transducer coupled to a position sensor for detecting the position of the shockwave transducer. The device is adapted to evaluate the signals of the position sensor to calculate the position of the focus spot of the shockwave transducer. Furthermore, a mapping device is provided for mapping the movement of the focus spot over a plurality of positions together with the applied shockwave dose at each of the positions. The applied shockwave dose may be indicated on a color display.

Abstract: An endoscopic device for generating acoustic waves with a sheath defining a center axis contains a first transducer for generating a first beam of acoustic energy radiating outwards of the endoscope sheath and a second transducer for generating a second beam of acoustic energy radiating outwards of the endoscope sheath. Both beams have different directions and intersect outside of the endoscope forming a focus spot. The second transducer is linearly movable parallel to the center axis with respect to the first transducer to displace the second beam and therefore to displace the intersection of the beams and therefore of the focus spot.

Abstract: An instrument for applying vibrations to the human body is disclosed, comprising a housing in which an axially movable ram is arranged at the distal end, and a drive device for the ram, for setting the ram in a reciprocating motion, wherein the drive device comprises an axially movable projectile arranged proximally of the ram and an accelerating device for the projectile for accelerating the projectile distally in the direction of the ram, the ram being able to execute a stroke of at least 1 mm.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for shock wave treatment of the human body. In particular, the invention relates to navigational aspects of the shock wave treatments, including apparatuses and methods which enable accurate focusing of shock waves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shockwave apparatus for treating a human or animal body, the pneumatic drive of which comprises a motor-driven compressor. According to the invention, the rotation rate of the motor is controlled in order to set a certain compressor pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating focused acoustical pressure waves for therapeutical applications and, in particular, for destroying concrements, corporeal stone, etc., comprises a sound generating unit, which generates pressure waves in a coupling medium, a reflector which focuses the waves and having, if necessary, a locating unit for locating the concrements, corporeal stones, etc., to be destroyed. The sound generating unit is a corpus or body which is axially symmetrical to an axis running through the focal point and whose casing extends in the direction of the axis and is the emission area for the waves. The sound generating unit generates axially symmetrical pressure waves, the propagation direction of which is essentially perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of biological body substances, in particular of the human body, by accelerating a projectile (13) and colliding it onto an impact body (9) which couples a mechanical shockwave to biological body substance. Therein, the impact body (9) is made of sintered ceramics.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for shock wave treatment of the human body. In particular, the invention relates to navigational aspects of the shock wave treatments, including apparatuses and methods which enable accurate focusing of shock waves.

Abstract: What is described here is a method of and a device for visualizing the orientation of therapeutic sound waves onto a region to be treated or processed, respectively, using a display unit including a screen on which the orientation of said therapeutic sound waves is symbolically displayed with respect to the region to be treated. The invention excels itself by the provision that the sound wave source and the region in space, through which the sound waves are propagating, as well as the region to be treated or processed (hereinafter referred to as treatment site) are perspectively displayed on said screen by allocation of physical figures, and that the perspective view varies with the correct movement when the site or the orientation of the sound wave source and/or the treatment site and/or the site or the orientation of the screen is varied.

Abstract: A device for positioning patients for diagnostic and therapeutic uses having, in particular a horizontally disposed bearer element for the patient (i.e., such as a table). In addition, at least one inflatable or pump-up-able cushion is provided with which the position of the patient, or specific regions of the patient's body, can be altered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for treating corporal tissue and/or for crushing corporal concretions by means of acoustic energy, such as shock, pressure or ultrasonic waves usinga sound generation unit which generates acoustic waves,if need be, a downstream bundling unit for the acoustic waves, anda transmission medium for said acoustic waves generated by the sound generating unit, which medium conducts the acoustic waves to the body.The present invention is distinguished by the fact that the form of the interface and/or the conditions at the interface between the transmission medium and the body are set in such a manner that the transmission of the energy from the sound generating unit into the body occurs without major deviations from the desired propagation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the treatment of biological tissue as well as for destroying concretions by means of focussed acoustic waves, havinga sound generating unit which a control unit triggers in such a manner that the unit generates acoustic waves of a specific frequency and energy, anda focussing unit which focusses the generated waves in a focal area.The present invention is distinguished by the sound generating unit (2) being provided, in an as such known manner, with a plane or only slightly curved radiation area in such a manner that the generated wave is an essentially plane wave and that the focussing unit (5) disposed in a fixed spatial relationship to the sound generating unit being provided with a Fresnel lenslike structure on the sound entry and/or sound exit area.

Abstract: A method is described for removing tooth fillings and shattering teeth using a device that generates focused acoustic pressure or shock waves with an appropriate energy. The focussed waves are coupled into the tooth and/or the filling. The apparatus includes a sound generating unit for generating focussed pressure or sound waves and a coupling cushion for coupling the focussed waves through a cheek or open mouth of the patient into the tooth or filling to be removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying a concretion in a patient with focussed pressure waves includes a pressure wave source for generating focussed pressure waves focussed at a pressure wave focal point for destroying a concretion in a patient, an X-ray source for emitting X-rays, an X-ray receiver for receiving the X-rays from the X-ray source, and an aiming device for enabling the concentration to be positioned at the pressure wave focal point. The aiming device is disposed in an X-ray path between the X-ray source and the X-ray receiver for projecting a pattern on the X-ray receiver when the X-ray source emits X-rays.

Abstract: An apparatus for degassing fluids uses a pressure-resistant container, in which the fluid to be degassed is stored and in which low pressure for carrying out the degassing process is produced. The apparatus further includes a supply vessel, containing the fluid to be degassed, which surrounds the pressure-resistant container; and a valve connecting the container and the supply vessel. Connected to the pressure-resistant container in such a manner that fluid can flow is a piston/cylinder unit, the working piston of which opens or closes the valve due to the low pressure in the container in such a manner that the fluid flows in from a fluid supply surrounding the pressure-resistant container and the separated gas escapes through the container opening.