Abstract: A shock wave source of the type suitable for disintegrating calculi in the body of a patient has a shock wave tube which is filled with a shock wave conducting medium, such as a liquid, which is closed at one end by a flexible cover which can be pressed against the patient by the pressure of the medium, and closed at the other end by a membrane of electrically conducting material. A flat coil is provided which is connected to a high voltage pulse generator. An insulting layer is disposed between the membrane and the coil such that the membrane is insulated from the coil at both ends of the coil.