Abstract: A method and a apparatus for transferring medically effective substances in the form of molecules, such as DNA, oligos, certain chemicals, etc., into the living cells of humans, animals and/or plants using acoustic energy or through cavitation which is produced by acoustic energy in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Via suitable sensors, the lifetime of the cavitation bubbles is determined or specified, which then for its part acts as the criterion or the function for controlling the acoustic intensity and thus also the cavitation intensity.

Abstract: A method and a apparatus for transferring medically effective substances in the form of molecules, such as DNA, oligos, certain chemicals, etc., into the living cells of humans, animals and/or plants using acoustic energy or through cavitation which is produced by acoustic energy in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo. Via suitable sensors, the lifetime of the cavitation bubbles is determined or specified, which then for its part acts as the criterion or the function for controlling the acoustic intensity and thus also the cavitation intensity.

Abstract: A thermotherapy device for treatment of diseased biological tissues includes an outer lumen and at least one inner lumen. Preheating of non-target tissue is carried out during a desensitizing mode of the thermotherapy process at a temperature that is sublethal to cells of the non-target tissue structure but is high enough to provoke the building of heat shock proteins for protecting non-target tissue structures during the thermotherapy process. Then during a destructive mode of the thermotherapy process, an energy source is insertable into one of the lumens in carry out a heating protocol to treat the enlarged tissue while the non-target tissue is protected by shock proteins produced during the desensitizing mode of the process. The energy source can be microwave, ultrasound or other energy source, and a temperature sensing device can be used in controlling the energy source for effective treatment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for the targeted initiation or deactivation of chemical reactions by an acoustic energy source in a host. Methods and apparatus for the targeted delivery of drugs, diagnostic agents and other compounds using an acoustic energy source are also provided.

Abstract: A method for the transfer of molecules into cells and apparatus for performing the method.

Abstract: The device for locating and crushing concrements has a shock wave generator, a coupling arrangement and a locating arrangement. The coupling arrangement consists of a ring-shaped coupling cushion which has a central passage and essentially symmetrically surrounds the locating arrangement.

Abstract: An arrangement for generating focussed shock waves having two two-dimensional shock wave sources. The sources are of different types. In particular, an electromagnetic shock wave source is used in combination with a piezoelectric shock wave source. The arrangement has applications in no-contact lithotrity.

Abstract: A spark gap unit that is easy to manufacture and significantly lighter than previously used spark gap units for generating underwater shock waves, particularly for non-invasive lithotrispy, has an internal conductor with an inner electrode, an insulation which at least partially envelops the internal conductor, and an external conductor with a bow and an outer electrode. The internal conductor is significantly shorter than the external conductor, and the external conductor at the rearward end of the spark gap unit projects beyond the internal conductor. The internal conductor, the insulation, and the external conductor are coaxially arranged. An outside diameter of the internal conductor is relatively small in comparison to an inside diameter of the external conductor. The spark gap unit has a hollow space inside the insulation, this hollow space being open in the direction of a rearward end of the spark gap unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for the detection of possible tissue injuries caused by cavitation during the medical application to a patient's body of high sonic energy which is generated extraneously by means of a sonic transducer for destruction of an element--for example a concretion--which is present in a target area. To detect the possible occurrence of cavitation the target area is acted upon by an acoustic test signal and a reception signal is generated from at least an initial reflection of the test signal. This signal is then examined by comparison with the test signal to detect the presence of an impedance jump leading to an attenuated reflection, so that a control signal may be generated upon detection of an impedance jump of this nature. Audible or visible warning signals may be engendered among others, and the sonic transducer may be deactivated if need be, by means of this control signal.

Abstract: A direction-finding system for localization of reflection-causing interfaces in the human body, in particular those of concretions, consists of at least one transmitter (18) emitting pulsed ultrasound and at least two ultrasound receivers (2, 3), of gate circuits (25) associated with each receiver, with variable amplifiers (26), and respective storage media (6) for ultrasonic echo signals (22, 21), and of a following device for sweep magnification (7) consisting of signal memories for readout at an adjustable clock frequency, there being provided variations of the delay differences ML and of the amplitude frequency spectra MF adjustable independently of each other. Connected downstream are devices for auditory direction finding (8, 9, 10, 15).