Abstract: A shockwave transducer for a lithotripter includes a shockwave source and a body with an exit aperture. The transducer is configured to generate a shockwave propagating from the body and through the exit aperture. The body comprises at least one diffuser, which engages into the shockwave propagating from the body. This diffuser includes a material characterized by a propagation velocity of the shockwave that is different from the propagation velocity of the shockwave in the surrounding medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating focused acoustical pressure waves for therapeutical applications and, in particular, for destroying concrements, corporeal stone, etc., comprises a sound generating unit, which generates pressure waves in a coupling medium, a reflector which focuses the waves and having, if necessary, a locating unit for locating the concrements, corporeal stones, etc., to be destroyed. The sound generating unit is a corpus or body which is axially symmetrical to an axis running through the focal point and whose casing extends in the direction of the axis and is the emission area for the waves. The sound generating unit generates axially symmetrical pressure waves, the propagation direction of which is essentially perpendicular to the axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined shock wave therapy and X-ray apparatus having an oblique arrangement of a stand (5) of said apparatus relative to a patient berth (1).

Abstract: A device for positioning patients for diagnostic and therapeutic uses having, in particular a horizontally disposed bearer element for the patient (i.e., such as a table). In addition, at least one inflatable or pump-up-able cushion is provided with which the position of the patient, or specific regions of the patient's body, can be altered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for treating corporal tissue and/or for crushing corporal concretions by means of acoustic energy, such as shock, pressure or ultrasonic waves usinga sound generation unit which generates acoustic waves,if need be, a downstream bundling unit for the acoustic waves, anda transmission medium for said acoustic waves generated by the sound generating unit, which medium conducts the acoustic waves to the body.The present invention is distinguished by the fact that the form of the interface and/or the conditions at the interface between the transmission medium and the body are set in such a manner that the transmission of the energy from the sound generating unit into the body occurs without major deviations from the desired propagation.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the treatment of biological tissue as well as for destroying concretions by means of focussed acoustic waves, havinga sound generating unit which a control unit triggers in such a manner that the unit generates acoustic waves of a specific frequency and energy, anda focussing unit which focusses the generated waves in a focal area.The present invention is distinguished by the sound generating unit (2) being provided, in an as such known manner, with a plane or only slightly curved radiation area in such a manner that the generated wave is an essentially plane wave and that the focussing unit (5) disposed in a fixed spatial relationship to the sound generating unit being provided with a Fresnel lenslike structure on the sound entry and/or sound exit area.

Abstract: A medical treatment station which includes a medical treatment device such as a lithotripter including a liquid filled rotational ellipsoid as shockwave focussing chamber with a circular periphery and boundary and a liquid filled cushion e.g. bellows for coupling the treatment device to the body of a patient, the station further includes a rest or support for such a patient and structure for moving the treatment device and the rest in relation to each other, is improved by means a of safety device which includes a hollow, fluid-filled, elastic hose disposed along the periphery of the ellipsoid and inside the cushion; a pressure sensing transducer is coupled to the hose for sensing pressure therein including particularly any pressure increase if the periphery of the ellipsoid impacts upon another object such as said rest or support or the patient thereon so that the moving can safely be stopped.

Abstract: A liquid filled shock wave generator is coupled to the body of the patient by utilizing of an integral water filled cushion having a membrane which engages skin of the patient for purposes of contactless lithotripsy whereby a second separate cushion is provided not being in contact with the patient being also of flexible construction and mounted on a spring biased table while being loaded with an additional weight and being in fluid conductive relation to the immediate and direct coupling cushion.

Abstract: A medical work station has a central post; a vertically adjustable and pivotable mount on the post; a multi part rest having a head portion which is mounted to the mount for the rest to extend in various horizontal positions from the post; an X-ray station is pivotable mounted on a second post being offset from the central post, the X-ray station including equipment which, upon pivoting, covers a range that coincides with a limited position range of the rest as pivotably mounted on the central post; a stand for shock wave equipment is positioned so that the rest can be placed above it or has a particular position in relation thereto; and an ultrasonic equipment mounted on and including a multi-linked arm arrangement having a mounting part mounted on the rest mount.

Abstract: Apparatus for positioning the body of a patient in relation to equipment for contactless comminution of concrements such that the focal point of equipment is made to coincide with a concrement; the patient who lies on a rest which is moved with the patient on it in a longitudinal direction, tilted about it, and moved also laterally and in a direction that is transverse to the longitudinal and lateral directions of movement; a water filled cushion with controlled water level is adapted for interpositioning between the equipment for comminution and focusing, and the patient, a plurality of differently oriented X-ray beams are provided for locating a concrement in the patient and images are marked through a light pen or the like on X-ray monitors; a control provides for homing-in the rest in relation to the comminution equipment such that its focal point coincides with the concrement as previously detected.

Abstract: A membrane is coupled to the skin of a human being, there being a gel layer provided between the membrane and the skin, the apparatus comprises a wiping structure movably mounted in a frame, one side of the membrane facing away from the skin and locally and progressively the membrane is forced against the gel layer and the skin so that progressively air bubbles in the gel layer are driven out of that layer and the layer is interposed bubblefree between the skin and the membrane. The wiper may swivel or roll; there may be plural wiper blades.

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: The body of a patient is gaplessly coupled to the membrane of therapeutic equipment through a gel layer; a gel releasing bag is placed upon the membrane and the membrane is moved towards the body; subsequently, the bag is removed from the gap that forms between the skin of the patient and the membrane whereby gel emerges from one or several openings, filling the gap completely with gel as the bag is squeezed and removed.

Abstract: A generator for pulse trains of shockwaves for the purpose of contactlessly comminuting concretions in living bodies, comprising a shockwave source, for instance a spark gap, a focusing reflector, for instance a hollow ellipsoid filled with a propagation medium, and a layer of a material having an impedance different from that of the medium of propagation mounted in such a manner that it is crossed by the shockwave field.

Abstract: An improved shockwave lithotripsy system includes a movable patient support carriage having a shock wave generator and focussing device mounted thereto, along with an indexing reference. An ultrasonic oscillator is also attached to a mounting arm arrangement mounted in turn to the support carriage and allowing for three dimensional adjustment of the oscillator relative to a patient on the carriage, the mounting arrangement having an additional indexing reference such that after a concrement internal to the patient is located using the ultrasonic oscillator, the shock wave generator may be brought into focus on the concrement by bringing the indexing references into registry.

Abstract: In extracorporal lithotripsy a shock wave that is focussed on a concrement is followed by a pain producing pressure wave. This wave is filtered by means of a membrane bulging inwardly into the focussing chamber, closing the same and having a thickness smaller than the predominant wave length of the shock wave.

Abstract: The apparatus includes an ellipsoidal reflection chamber having two focal points, one to be aligned with the concrement to be destroyed, the other one being located in a discharge path between two electrodes facing each other and being oriented in the longitudinal axis of the ellipsoid; one of the electrodes is a point-like extension of an inner one of two coaxial conductors, and the outer one of these conductors carries several flat arch shaped holders positioning the other electrode likewise in said longitudinal axis, the holding structure in the vicinity of the inner conductor continuing the ellipsoidal reflecting surface; through a threaded mount the two electrodes can be moved towards and away from each other; each of these electrodes is preferably provided for easy exchange to compensate burning off.

Abstract: A reflector for focusing shockwaves in order to contactlessly comminute concretions in living bodies and for which a suitable selection of materials and geometry prevents a transverse wave in the reflector material from leading the shockwave front in the coupling medium.

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.