Patent · US Expired

Piezoelectric transducer for destruction of concretions inside the body

US4721106A · kind A · utility

25Cited by
12References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 15, 1987
Grant dateJan 26, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 15, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG10K11/002
  • WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A piezoelectric transducer for destruction of concretions inside the body. The transducer essentially comprises a spheroidal cap having piezoelectric ceramic elements situated at its radially inner front side. To prevent overpressure pulses radiated at the front side of the transducer being followed by underpressure pulse reflected from the rear side of the cap, the cap is produced from metal, preferably from a copper alloy. The impact wave resistances of the cap metal and of the ceramic material should largely correspond. Furthermore, the rear-side surface of the rear wall of the cap is so shaped geometrically and/or provided with a coating, that the sonic waves reflected therefrom are no longer focussed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.