Apparatus for producing shock waves for technical, preferably medical applications

US6383152B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Werner Hartmann · Hamburg, DE
• Joerg Kieser · Forchheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 26, 1999
• Grant date: May 7, 2002
• Expiry date: Jul 26, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G10K15/06
• WIPO field: Other consumer goods
• WIPO sector: Other fields

Abstract

An apparatus produces intense pressure waves as shock waves for technical and preferably medical applications, especially for lithotripsy and/or pain therapy. Acoustic waves of high energy density are produced through the use of pressure pulsations. The pressure waves are produced by briefly heating a conductive electrolyte, whereby electric energy is converted directly and very largely without losses with the aid of an electric pulse for the purpose of heating up the electrolyte. The apparatus includes two electrodes which enclose the electrolyte and are controlled by a power pulse generator for outputting sound waves into a sound propagation medium.