Shock wave generator for extracorporeal lithotripsy

US4947830A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Manfred Rattner · Großenseebach, DE
• Benedikt Hartinger · Nuremberg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 19, 1989
• Grant date: Aug 14, 1990
• Expiry date: Jan 19, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10K11/352
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

A shock wave generator of the type suitable for use in an extracorporeal lithotripsy treatment of calculi in a patient permits the shock wave generator to be applied to the body surface of the patient, while still permitting adjustment, i.e., displacement, of the focus without removing the shockwave generator from the body surface. For this purpose, the shock wave source is adjustable relative to the housing of the shock wave generator. When the housing, together with the flexible sack which terminates the housing, is acoustically applied to the body surface of the patient, the shock wave source can still be moved within the housing without changing the application to the patient. Additionally, an ultrasound locating system can be arranged in the shock wave source, which can be adjustable in combination with the shock wave source for precisely locating, or relocating, the calculus to be disintegrated.