Process and device for generating shock waves for medical uses

US6080119A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• HMT LLC · US

Inventors

• Werner Schwarze · Frankfurt, DE
• Walter Uebelacker · Aesch, CH
• Axel Voss · Bad Schwartau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 1998
• Grant date: Jun 27, 2000
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10K15/06
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Acoustic shock waves for medical uses are generated by an electrical discharge between two electrodes, which are mounted in a liquid medium. A catalyst is added to the liquid medium in the area of the electrodes; this catalyst partially or completely catalytically converts the gas which forms upon application of the voltage to the electrodes back into its original state or partially or completely prevents the formation of the gas.