Abstract: A switching circuit for an electromagnetic source for generating acoustic waves has at least one first capacitor connected in parallel with a series circuit formed by a second capacitor and an electronic switch. The switching circuit is connected to a coil of the electromagnetic source, and the first and second capacitors are switched so as to both discharged into the coil, thereby supplying the coil with current.

Abstract: A switching circuit for an electromagnetic source for generating acoustic waves has at least one first capacitor connected in parallel with a series circuit formed by a second capacitor and an electronic switch. The switching circuit is connected to a coil of the electromagnetic source, and the first and second capacitors are switched so as to both discharged into the coil, thereby supplying the coil with current.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating acoustic waves has an acoustic transducer with a first electrode serving as a membrane and adjoining an acoustic propagation medium and a second electrode spaced from the first, between which an electrolyte is situated. The acoustic transducer is fashioned transparent to X-rays.

Abstract: A circuit for driving an electromagnetic source for generating acoustic waves has a dischargeable high-voltage capacitor with a diode or a diode module connected in parallel therewith.

Abstract: A circuit for driving an electromagnetic source for generating acoustic waves has a dischargeable high-voltage capacitor with a diode or a diode module connected in parallel therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating acoustic waves has an acoustic transducer with a first electrode serving as a membrane and adjoining an acoustic propagation medium and a second electrode spaced from the first, between which an electrolyte is situated. The acoustic transducer is fashioned transparent to X-rays.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treatment with focused acoustic waves which has a source of focused acoustic waves, an acoustic receiver for the reception of parts of the acoustic waves reflected from a subject to be acoustically irradiated, and can be switched from a therapy mode to a locating mode. The apparatus also include circuitry for varying the oscillatory frequency of the generated acoustic waves dependent on whether the apparatus is switched to the therapy or locating mode. A method for operating such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for the mechanical strength testing of components with respect to a strength criterion an acoustic pulse in the form of an acoustic shockwave is introduced into a component to be tested such that the shockwave is reflected acoustically with a polarity reversal at a reflection location before passing though a region of the component to be tested, thereby subjecting that region to tensile stress. The amplitude of the shockwave is selected such that the component is destroyed if it does not meet the strength criterion.

Abstract: A therapy system for treatment of a subject with focused acoustic waves has a source of focused acoustic waves, equipment for displacing the focus none of the focused acoustic waves and the subject to be treated relative to one another, and a locating system which non-invasively acquires the three-dimensional spatial position of a region within the subject to be charged with the focused acoustic waves relative to the focus zone of the focused acoustic waves continuously as a function of time. The system further includes a display which graphically displays the three-dimensional data generated by the locating system.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus employs an ultrasound sensor arrangement formed by an at least two-dimensional sensor matrix and an imaging lens to generate signals which are used to calculate a true-to-scale, real-time, three-dimensional image of a subject according to the pulse-echo principle. A therapy apparatus using such an ultrasound imaging apparatus as its locating system is also disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic lens for the transformation of a planar wave into a spherical segment-shaped wave, and vice versa, is disclosed. In order to avoid aberrations, the lens is fashioned rotationally symmetrical relative to its center axis and biconcavely, the lens surface adjoining the medium in which the planar wave propagates is produced by the rotation of a section of a straight line, the lens surface adjoining the medium in which the spherical segment-shaped wave propagates is produced by the rotation of a section of an ellipse, and the angle between the straight line and the center axis as well as the angle between the major half-axis of the ellipse and the center axis are selected such that a planar or spherical segment-shaped wave entering into the lens propagates in the lens as a conical wave whose aperture angle is equal to double the angle at which the minor half-axis of the ellipse intersects the center axis.

Abstract: A pressure pulse source for generating acoustic pressure pulses in an acoustic propagation medium has a foil arrangement formed by a number of electrically contacted piezoelectric foils stacked directly on top of one another with no interstices between the foils, and employs a drive system for driving the individual foils in succession according to the traveling wave principle.

Abstract: A shockwave generator for extracorporeal lithotripsy has a housing filled with an acoustic propagation medium, through which shockwaves propagate, and in which an ultrasound applicator is disposed for locating a calculus to be treated. The ultrasound applicator has components which may be damaged if traversed by shockwaves. At least a portion of the ultrasound applicator in which these components are disposed is therefore acoustically shielded with a substance having an acoustic impedance substantially differing from the acoustic impedance of the propagation medium, so that essential parts of the shockwaves are reflected thereby and thus the non-reflected parts do not reach the shielded portion of the ultrasound applicator with sufficient energy to damage the compartments.

Abstract: An ultrasound generator for acoustic irradiation of pathological changes of a human body comprises a planarly fashioned piezo-electric transducer which is acoustically coupled to an acoustical lens on one surface by a soft metal layer and is acoustically coupled on the opposite surface by a second soft metal layer to a dampening member. The soft metal layers act as both acoustically coupling layers and as electrodes for the piezo-electric transducer. The piezo-electric transducer can be formed of either a plurality of layers which are spaced apart by soft metal layers acting as electrodes, a single piezo-electric plate, or a plurality of plates arranged side by side in the same plane.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for acoustic irradiation of a pathological change in a patient comprising a housing containing a shock wave generator positioned in a fluid-filled focusing chamber closed by a membrane characterized by a ring of elastic material being secured to the housing and surrounding the membrane and projecting beyond the membrane while in an idle position. The ring is provided with a channel system to allow evacuation of air from the space between the ring, membrane and the skin of the patient and also for introducing a coupling fluid into this space. The housing includes a channel for introducing additional fluid into the fluid-filled focusing chamber to cause the membrane to be expanded into the space and to engage the skin of the patient with a thin film of the coupling fluid disposed therebetween.