Abstract: A shockwave or pressure-wave therapeutic apparatus is provided in which a therapy head is equipped with a shockwave source. The shockwave source is connected via a shock generator to a control means which controls the release frequency of shockwaves as a function of the pulse energy thereof in such a manner that higher pulse energies correlate with lower release frequencies of the shockwaves and vice versa.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the generation and focussing of shock waves for purposes of comminution of concrements, wherein the generation is provided by a pair of electrodes, and the focussing is provided by a rotational ellipsoid; the electrodes extend from a sleeve being inserted in the body of the ellipsoid such that the electrodes center on one of the two focal points of the rotational ellipsoid; a positioning device for the electrodes includes a position indicator on the electrode sleeve such as a metal or optical marking on a mechanical actuator having a highly accurately predetermined positional relation to the electrodes; a position sensor on the body of the rotational ellipsoid has a highly accurately determined position in relation to the first focal point; and a circuit is connected to the position sensor to provide a audible and/or visible representation if, and only if, the position indicator has an accurate position related to the sensor as an indication that the electrodes are centered on the first

Abstract: The present invention relates to the locating of concrements in the body of living beings for the purposes of determing where the focal point of a shock wave reflector has to be positioned so that it may comminute the concrement, and more particularly the invention relates to a system for locating concrements under utilization of X-rays in combination with an ultrasonic device.

Abstract: An underwater electrodes assembly for contactless lithotripsy is suggested wherein two electrodes have tips facing each other across a narrow gap and at least one, preferably both, electrodes are surrounded by sleeves or rings made of a dielectric material, such as a thermoplastic.

Abstract: An instrument for therapeutic shock waves in which the shock waves are triggered in response to the patient's heartbeat cycle or to the patient's breathing cycle or both.

Abstract: A concrement in a human body is located by an X-ray system establishing an axis through the concrement; ultrasonic equipment determines a depth coordinate value for the concrement on that axis, and a shock gyrator and focusing system is placed on that established axis for obtaining the comminution. A rest is provided for placing the body in the action zone, and for establishing a second axis in a coordinate system; the third axis is perpendicular to the latter and defines locally the direction of position change for the various types of equipment needed to carry out the aforementioned program.

Abstract: A trigger instrument for therapeutic shock waves, in particular for comminuting kidney stones, in which the shock waves are triggered by the R pip of the EKG or by a preselected time-delay thereafter.

Abstract: A template member made of shock wave impermeable material such as air filled foam is affixed to the body of a living being (e.g. a human patient) leaving however an opening through which shock waves from a shock wave generator can pass so that a concrement in the body will be comminuted while the template member shields sensitive organs against parasitic ultrasonic radiation.

Abstract: An apparatus for the comminution of concrements such as kidney stones, and including a source of shock waves partially surrounded by an ellipsoidal reflector, is improved in that the open end of the reflector for sound wave transmission is additionally defined by a plurality of sound attentuating rings diminishing in internal diameter with distance from the source of shock waves; additional features provide for an overall increase in specific weight of these rings; the transmission of x-rays through the equipment is separately controlled.

Abstract: A couch to securely support and keep in place a completely or partially anesthesized patient in a compression-free and strain-free manner, for instance for contact-less comminution of renal calculi, where the patient by means of strongly mutually inclining and individually adjustable rest surfaces (11, 25, 26) in the shoulder area and at the legs is moved into a back position with a slightly raised upper body and angled legs, with a clear back and rectal area, and with placement of the lower arms next to the head so as to assume a stable hollow-back position.

Abstract: An improved instrument for destroying concretions within the body of living tissue, with a focusing chamber which is a part of an ellipsoid of revolution and at one focus of which shock waves are generated by arc discharge, the improvement comprising that a pad (8) filled with degassed water and of which the front and rear sides thereof (10 and 12 respectively) are composed of shape-adapting, acoustically matched thin foils, is located between the liquid-filled focusing chamber (16) and the coupling site (6) to the body (2), the pad permitting simultaneous introduction of X-rays or ultrasonic waves to locate the concretion and to monitor the success in comminuting, and a second water pad (24) similar to the first pad is located at the body decoupling site and encloses the body over a large area, the rear side thereof being fastened by means of a damping or diffusely reflecting layer (26), for instance foam rubber, to a rigid dish (28) composed of one or more parts.

Abstract: An apparatus for comminuting concretions in bodies of living beings with a focusing chamber forming part of an ellipsoid of revolution wherein shock waves can be generated by spark discharge at one of the foci, the body being prone in a tub filled with a liquid, where(a) the focusing chamber is sealed by a high-strength membrane,(b) the focusing chamber is filled with an extensively degassed liquid,(c) the liquid is under increased pressure, and(d) the liquid is made to circulate, the liquid being evacuated at a location of the focusing chamber as high as possible, and a liquid free of gas bubbles being replenished into the focusing chamber.