Abstract: In a shockwave system with a shockwave source for treatment of a patient with shockwaves, a control and evaluation unit for evaluating an input signal supplied directly thereto that is correlated with a blood pressure value of the patient determined during the treatment, and controls the shockwave source dependent on the input signal.

Abstract: A shockwave system for treatment of a patient has a detection unit for detection of an indicator correlated with the calmness of the patient, and a device that is operable dependent on the indicator that increases the calmness of the patient. In a method for operation of a shockwave system for treatment of a patient, an indicator correlated with the calmness of the patient is detected and a measure to increase the calmness of the patient is taken dependent on the indicator.

Abstract: A shockwave system for treatment of a patient has a detection unit for detection of an indicator correlated with the calmness of the patient, and a device that is operable dependent on the indicator that increases the calmness of the patient. In a method for operation of a shockwave system for treatment of a patient, an indicator correlated with the calmness of the patient is detected and a measure to increase the calmness of the patient is taken dependent on the indicator.

Abstract: In a method for x-ray imaging given a patient containing a subject to be represented during a shockwave treatment, an image data set containing the subject and a marker is generated at a first point in time; an x-ray image showing essentially only the subject (14) and the marker is acquired at a second point in time, the x-ray image is correctly spatially associated with the image data set using the marker, the x-ray image is displayed together with information extracted from the image data set during the shockwave treatment.

Abstract: In a method to determine an operating parameter of a shockwave source for the generation of a shockwave to disintegrate a calculus in a patient by a shockwave lithotripsy, a characteristic of the patient and/or of the calculus is determined before and/or during the shockwave lithotripsy and the operating parameter is automatically determined dependent on the characteristic. A device for determining an operating parameter of a shockwave source for the destruction of a calculus in a patient has an acquisition and control unit for determination and/or input of a characteristic of the patient and/or of the calculus, and for automatic determination of the operating parameter dependent on the characteristic.

Abstract: In a method to disintegrate a calculus in a patient by shockwave lithotripsy, a 3D image data set of the patient is generated in a first step; the shockwave lithotripsy is conducted in a second step; and first step and second step are conducted with an unchanged position of the patient. A lithotripsy system to disintegrate a calculus in a patient has a shockwave system to disintegrate the calculus and a 3D imaging system to generate a 3D image data set of the patient without movement of the patient.

Abstract: In a shockwave system with a shockwave source for treatment of a patient with shockwaves, a control and evaluation unit for evaluating an input signal supplied directly thereto that is correlated with a blood pressure value of the patient determined during the treatment, and controls the shockwave source dependent on the input signal.

Abstract: Method and data processing system for the knowledge-based advising, managing and/or controlling of a business process

Abstract: An endoscope includes a carrier which can be inserted into a living examination subject, having a distal end which is advanced into the subject, the carrier carrying an optical examination apparatus by means of which an image from the interior of the subject can be obtained and transmitted to the exterior of the subject, and the carrier also carrying a source of therapeutic ultrasound at the distal end. A body region exhibiting a pathology which is treatable with therapeutic ultrasound can thus be insonified with the therapeutic ultrasound in the same surgical intervention which is used to obtain the endoscopic images.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for the treatment of pathological tissue with focused ultrasound waves, has a catheter introducible into the body of a living subject to be treated and having at least one pressure sensor disposed at the region of its distal end. A control unit to which the output signal of the pressure sensor is supplied generates an alarm signal if the level of the output signal of the pressure sensor exceeds a limit value, thereby minimizing the risk of damaging healthy tissue.

Abstract: A therapy system for treating pathological tissue with heating radiation includes an ultrasound locating system and a catheter introducible into the body of a patient to be treated, the catheter having at least one pressure sensor in the region of its distal end. The catheter is used to apply the heating radiation to a specified site within the patient. The pressure sensor generates signals due to interaction with the diagnostic ultrasound waves of the ultrasound locating system, and these signals are supplied to an image generating unit within the ultrasound locating system. The image generating unit calculates the position of the pressure sensor in the ultrasound image on the basis of the signals from the pressure sensor, and mixes a mark into the displayed image at the appropriate location, so that the position of the catheter is thereby identifiable.

Abstract: An acoustic lens having a variable focal length for employment in an acoustic propagation medium has two lens walls, namely an entry wall and an exit wall at least one lens wall being deformable for varying the focal length, a lens liquid located between the lens walls, and a pressure compensation system which maintains the static pressure of the lens liquid the same as the static pressure of the acoustic propagation medium adjoining the deformable lens wall.

Abstract: A catheter which is provided for employment in the treatment of pathological tissue in a patient by charging with heating radiation, whereby the treatment ensues under diagnostic ultrasound monitoring and the catheter has at least one acoustic marking member attached in the region of its distal end for marking tissue not to be treated. The marking member has an acoustic impedance deviating from that of the surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A pressure pulse generator has a pressure pulse source with a membrane that is rapidly displaceable from an initial position for generating acoustic pressure pulses in an acoustic propagation medium. For returning the membrane to its initial position, the acoustic propagation medium adjoining the membrane is maintained at an elevated static pressure in comparison to the ambient pressure. Additionally, a cooling arrangement for the pressure pulse source is provided for eliminating the dissipated heat arising during operation of the pressure pulse source. The cooling system contains a coolant that flows in a closed circulation path through a channel integrated into the pressure pulse source and through a cooling unit.

Abstract: A generator for acoustic waves has a source of acoustic waves with which acoustic waves can be introduced into an acoustic propagation medium and a liquid lens having a variable focal length which is arranged in the acoustic propagation medium, the liquid lens having two lens walls and a lens liquid situated therebetween. At least one of the lens walls is deformable for the purpose of varying the focal length. The liquid lens has a central opening, so that the lens walls have an outer and an inner edge, and the outer edge of the deformable lens wall is fixed and the inner edge is displaceable in the direction of the center axis of the liquid lens for the purpose of varying the focal length.

Abstract: An electromagnetic acoustic pressure pulse source has a membrane with at least one electrically conductive region, the membrane being disposed for interacting on one side with an acoustic propagation medium, and having an opposite side facing a flat, spiral coil arrangement. The coil arrangement is driven with high-voltage pulses which cause the membrane to be rapidly repelled from the coil arrangement, thereby generating a pressure pulse in the acoustic propagation medium. The potential difference between the turns of the coil arrangement and the electrically conductive region of the membrane varies across the membrane, and the membrane is provided with a depression on the side thereof facing the coil arrangement in a region of high potential difference between the turns of the coil and the electrically conductive region of the membrane.

Abstract: An acoustic pressure pulse generator has an electrodynamic pressure pulse source formed by a membrane and a coil, so that when the membrane is electrodynamically rapidly repelled from the coil, an acoustic pressure pulse is generated in an acoustic propagation medium adjacent the membrane. A wall is disposed in the pulse generator spaced from the membrane in the direction of pressure pulse propagation, the wall preferably formed as an acoustic lens. The wall defines a space between the wall and the membrane, which is filled with acoustic propagation medium, and which is maintained liquid-tight from a second space situated at the other side of the wall, also containing an acoustic propagation medium. The acoustic propagation medium contained in the first space is maintained at a static pressure which is necessary for returning the membrane to its initial position after being repelled by the coil.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump suitable for use in an implantable medication dosage device has a piston movable in a chamber connected to a medication reservoir, the chamber having an output closable by a check valve. The check valve includes a movable element which is acted upon by a biasing system to urge the moveable element in a direction to close the check valve. The moveable element has a sealing surface against which an end face of the piston presses with tight adjacency as the piston moves to an extreme position during its output stroke.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump having a fluid assembly having a fluid wing at its input side encompassing an admission line and an admission chamber. A moveable valve part of, for example, a magnetizable material is arranged in the admission chamber. A component part, for example a permanent magnet, which attracts the valve part against a valve seal is situated outside of the fluid wing. The valve part and the component part together form a magnetic spring system. An advantage of this arrangement is an extremely small dead spacing inside the fluid wing. Resulting therefrom is that gas bubbles can also be conveyed with great reliability. Also harmful interaction between the conveyed medication and the component part such as, for example, corrosion of the component part or conversions of the medication influenced by the component part, cannot occur.