Apparatus for administering acoustic shock waves

US6036661A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• HMT LLC · US

Inventors

• Werner Schwarze · Frankfurt, DE
• Walter Uebelacker · Aesch, CH
• Reiner Schulthesis · Salem, DE
• Ruediger Bolze · Reichenau, DE
• Norbert Brill · Gerlikon, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: May 1, 1998
• Grant date: Mar 14, 2000
• Expiry date: May 1, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2017/00482
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for administering ultrasonic shockwaves for medical use includes treatment head for focussing acoustic shockwaves at concretions in human bodies. Clinical treatment often requires two or more treatment heads or several different types of treatment heads with different power requirements to produce fragmentation of concretions. Connectors attached to treatment head cables are provided with electronics containing codes for identifying the type and characteristics of each treatment head and for transmitting that date to a power supply unit. A microprocessor in the power supply unit uses the data provided by the treatment head to automatically deliver the appropriate power ensuring that the treatment head will deliver the correct ultrasonic dose. In another embodiment, electronics are embedded in the treatment heads to provide the same function as described above.