Apparatus for generating focused acoustical pressure waves

US8099154B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• STORZ MEDICAL AG · CH

Inventors

• Othmar Wess · Munich, DE
• Ernst H. Marlinghaus · Munderkingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 17, 1994
• Grant date: Jan 17, 2012
• Expiry date: Feb 17, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B17/2258
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for generating focused acoustical pressure waves for therapeutical applications and, in particular, for destroying concrements, corporeal stone, etc., comprises a sound generating unit, which generates pressure waves in a coupling medium, a reflector which focuses the waves and having, if necessary, a locating unit for locating the concrements, corporeal stones, etc., to be destroyed. The sound generating unit is a corpus or body which is axially symmetrical to an axis running through the focal point and whose casing extends in the direction of the axis and is the emission area for the waves. The sound generating unit generates axially symmetrical pressure waves, the propagation direction of which is essentially perpendicular to the axis.