Abstract: The method of treatment for a nasal or sinus tissue exhibiting a sinusitis or rhinosinusitis disease or condition in a diagnosed patient is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the nasal or sinus tissue, or the entire nasal or sinus region of the patient to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue, wherein the tissue is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. The method of treatment may further have the steps of administering one or more medicaments prior, during or after subjecting the patient to acoustic shock waves or testing the bacterial count or viability of the treated tissue or region of the diagnosed patient after exposure to one or more acoustic shock wave treatments; or subjecting a tissue or organ to a surgical procedure to remove or repair some or all of any defects or degenerative tissues.

Abstract: The method of treatment for a periodontal tissue exhibiting a periodontal disease or periodontal condition in a diagnosed patient is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the periodontal tissue, or the entire periodontal region of the patient to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue, wherein the tissue is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. The method of treatment may further have the steps of administering one or more medicaments prior, during or after subjecting the patient to acoustic shock waves or testing the bacterial count or viability of the treated tissue or region of the diagnosed patient after exposure to one or more acoustic shock wave treatments; or subjecting a tissue or organ to a surgical procedure to remove or repair some or all of any defects or degenerative tissues. The method of treatment is for prevention of periodontal disease and may be used with debridement.

Abstract: The invention is for an apparatus for the generation of shock waves, especially for medical application, by means of a spark discharge between two electrodes (6, 7) within a liquid medium with appliances for the movement (216) of at least one of the electrodes (6, 7) along a specified direction of movement, for an electrode unit for the generation of shock waves with two electrodes (6, 7) positioned within a liquid medium and to which a high voltage can be applied for the generation of an electrical disruptive discharge, for a procedure for the calibration of distances for a pair of electrodes (1; 201) for the generation of shock waves by means of an under water spark discharge and for a procedure for the generation of shock waves by means of an under water spark discharge between two electrodes (6, 7).

Abstract: The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums.

Abstract: The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums.

Abstract: The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a process for optimized electro-hydraulic pressure pulse generation that records characteristic parameters which can be measured insusceptible to error and compared with set values. The object of the invention is achieved by an apparatus in which an electro-hydraulic shock wave system is provided with a measuring and control device (13a, 13b) that measures the discharge current between the electrode tips (4, 5), and a process that influences the system parameters by means of the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating pressure pulse/shock waves (PP/SWs) is disclosed which comprises a pressure pulse/shock wave (PP/SW) source, a housing enclosing said PP/SW source, and an exit window from which wave fronts of waves generated by said PP/SW source emanate. The wave fronts have plane, nearly plane, convergent off target or divergent characteristics. In one embodiment, an extracorporeal shock wave system provides a planar wave for the treatment of tissue. A parabolic reflector is provided in order to propagate the planar wave through a membrane and to the tissue of a human subject. A piezoelectric, electrohydraulic or electromagnetic source may be used to develop the wave.

Abstract: A method of attaching or reattaching a ligament, tendon, cartilage or other soft tissue to a bone mass has the steps of: positioning or placing the ligament, tendon, cartilage or other soft tissue adjacent to the bone mass; anchoring or otherwise fastening the ligament, tendon, cartilage or soft tissue to the bone mass; and transmitting shock waves to the ligament, tendon or other soft tissue and the bone mass. Preferably the ligament, tendon, cartilage or other soft tissue is positioned in the path of the emitted shock waves and away from geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. The shock waves may be transmitted during the surgical procedure or post operatively in one or more treatment dosages or both. In so treating the ligament, tendon, cartilage or other soft tissue should be positioned at a distance away from any geometric focal point to minimize hemorrhaging. The soft tissue may include cartilage or muscle tissue.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a tissue organ or entire body of a patient prior to or after exposure to chemicals or radiation or both comprises the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the tissue, organ or entire body to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue, organ or body wherein the tissue, organ or body is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves.

Abstract: A method of treatment for a tissue organ or entire body of a patient prior to or after exposure to a biofilm infection comprises the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the infected tissue, organ or entire body to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue, organ or body wherein the tissue, organ or body is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the regeneration of injured nerves has the step of administering an effective exposure of pressure pulses or acoustic shock waves in a pulse or wave pattern to the zone of injury of the nerve during the regeneration process. The inventive method may include enhancing the stimulation of neuronal cell growth or regeneration by administering an effective exposure of pressure pulses or acoustic shock waves in a pulse or wave pattern to stimulate neuronal cell growth or regeneration, wherein the administering of the treatment is applied to a patient who has a pathological condition where neuronal repair can be facilitated including peripheral nerve damage caused by injury or disease such as diabetes, brain damage associated with stroke, and for the treatment of neurological disorders related to neurodegeneration, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral, sclerosis multiple sclerosis and disseminated sclerosis.

Abstract: The system for treating an internal organ has a generator source for producing a shock wave connected to a handheld or small shock wave applicator device 2, wherein the external housing 16 of the device 2 is hermetically sealed in a non-electrically conductive insulating skin membrane 5 being of a polymer material, preferably a silicone rubber or polyurethane rubber. Preferably the entire device 2 including the connectors 32, 33 and at least a 20 cm portion of attached cable 1 is sealed using a dip coating process or alternatively can use an insert molding process wherein the device 2 is placed in a mold 400 and the skin membrane 5 is injection molded around the entire housing 16 and the cable 1 has an outer skin 5 that abuttingly seals at a connection 32, 33 to the housing 16. The device 2 may further include an internal vacuum conduit connected to a vacuum system to detect leakages and in use may be used with a sterile sleeve cover with a similar vacuum system for leakage detection.

Abstract: The method of stimulating a tissue of a subsurface organ is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the tissue to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue wherein the tissue is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the tissue at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The subsurface organ is a tissue having cells. The tissue is a part of the incretin system. The subsurface organ is preferably the pancreas of a diabetic or at risk diabetic patient.

Abstract: The system for treating an internal organ has a generator source for producing a shock wave connected to a portable shock wave applicator device, wherein the shock wave applicator device has a side-firing shock wave head having a variable angle adjustment relative to a release and lock connected handle or holder means for holding said device. The inclination of the shock wave head can be set to a fixed inclination to reach the organ at various locations or surfaces or can be pivotally inclined continuous to vary the treatment surfaces area.

Abstract: A method and device are described for applying extracorporeally generated pressure waves, specifically acoustic shock waves, to the body of an organism. The effect of the shock waves in the impacted target area of the body is measured by extracorporeally disposed detectors which record the acoustic signals, the acoustic signals being generated within the tissue by the cavitation bubbles caused by the shock waves. The measured cavitation effect may be utilized to control and adjust the dosage of shock waves. The use of focused detectors allows for spatial scanning of the cavitation effect—with the result that the focus of the shock waves may be controlled, the tissue structure may be scanned, and the pressure field of the shock waves may be mapped.

Abstract: The method of stimulating a substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the substance to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves and away from a geometric focal volume or point of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a tissue having cells. The tissue can be an organ of a mammal. The mammal may be a human or an animal. The organ may be a heart, a brain, skin, a liver or a kidney or any other organ. The tissue may be muscle, cartilage, tendon, bone, teeth or gums.

Abstract: The method of treatment for a genital tissue or reproductive organ of an infertility or impotence diagnosed patient is disclosed. The treatment has the steps of activating an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the genital tissue, reproductive organ or the entire reproductive region of the body to the acoustic shock waves stimulating said tissue, organ or body wherein the tissue, organ or body is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. The emitted shock waves can be convergent, divergent, planar or near planar.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating pressure pulse/shock waves (PP/SWs) is disclosed which comprises a pressure pulse/shock wave (PP/SW) source, a housing enclosing said PP/SW source, and an exit window from which wave fronts of waves generated by said PP/SW source emanate. The wave fronts have nearly plane or divergent characteristics.

Abstract: The method of stimulating a plant substance is disclosed. The method has the steps of activating a pressure pulse or an acoustic shock wave generator or source to emit pressure pulse or acoustic shock waves; and subjecting the plant substance to the pressure pulse or acoustic shock waves stimulating said plant substance wherein the substance is positioned within a path of the emitted shock waves. In one embodiment the emitted pressure pulse or shock waves are divergent or near planar. In another embodiment the emitted shock waves are convergent having a geometric focal volume of point at a distance of at least X from the source, the method further comprising positioning the substance at a distance less than the distance X from the source. The substance is a plant tissue having cells. The tissue can be a seed, zygotic embryo or somatic embryogenic culture of somatic embryos of plants. The plant may be a vegetable, tree, shrub or tuber.