Abstract: An apparatus for disintegrating a calculus in the human body by an underwater shock wave produced outside the human body. The apparatus includes a shock wave generation chamber having an inner surface in the shape of a part of a pseudo-ellipsoid of revolution having an opening therein. Also provided is a shock wave generation source positioned at the first focus of the pseudo-ellipsoid of revolution. In addition, a flexible container housing a liquid is attached to the shock wave generation chamber so that the liquid from the flexible container fills up the shock wave generation chamber. The flexible container containing the liquid is brought into contact with the human body, and the shock wave generation chamber is displaced so as to deform the flexible container, until the calculus in the human body is positioned at the second focus of the pseudo-ellipsoid of revolution.

Abstract: A shock wave generating apparatus is provided which includes a shock wave generating chamber and a rotatable carousel in which a plurality of microexplosive carrying members are removeably positioned. Each of the microexplosive carrying members are adapted to be pushed downwardly by a piston through a bore in the casing body and into a shock wave generating chamber. The microexplosive is detonated by heating a detonator adjacent to the explosive by virtue of electrical contact between the microexplosive carrying member and the piston, and activation of a microswitch. Alternately, the housing for the microexplosive carrying members can include a spring for forcing the members over the bore, with each member being forced downwardly by an piston to detonate an explosive charge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing intermittent explosion of a plurality of explosive charges initially attached to an explosive capsule support belt. The belt is indexed so that a plurality of spaced capsules on the belt can be separated from the belt by generally vertical movement of an explosive capsule holding rod and then detonated within a shock wave generating chamber which has at least part of its interior surface area which in the shape of a pseudo-ellipsoid. The belt comprises two spaced members which are attached to each other by a plurality of reinforcing rods, with a plurality of capsules being positioned between the base members in a first direction and between the reinforcing rods in a second direction; the capsules are held to the base members by attaching rods which extend from opposed base members.