Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus

• US 20010023326A1
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Published: 09/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avner Spector
• Original Assignee: Avner Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Avner
• Granted Patent: US 6,755,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/225 for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22027 Features of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/0069 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/027 with multiple foci created simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/30 using refraction, e.g. acoustic lenses

Abstract

A pressure-pulse therapy apparatus of the present invention includes a dome-shaped reflector, at least one ring section, a central x-axis, an open end, a flexible diaphragm capping the open end, a fluid medium within the reflector and diaphragm, a pressure-pulse source immersed in the fluid medium and located on said x-axis for generating a primary pressure pulse, and a power supply for the pressure-pulse source. The reflector includes a center section that has a predetermined first curvature and associated reflective characteristics to reflect the primary pressure pulse to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse. The ring section is substantially concentric with said center section and has a predetermined second curvature and associated reflective characteristics to reflect the primary pressure pulse to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of the compound pressure pulse.

Claims

1. A dome-shaped reflector, having:

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.

2. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said center section is substantially parabolic and has a single focal point.

3. A reflector according to

claim 2

, wherein said at least one ring section is substantially ellipsoid and has proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal point of said at least one ring section substantially coincide.

4. A reflector according to

claim 3

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, wherein said distal focal points of said plurality of ring sections are adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide.

5. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said center section and said at least one ring section are substantially ellipsoid, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, and wherein said proximal focal point of said center section and said proximal focal point of said at least one ring section substantially coincide.

6. A reflector according to

claim 5

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said center and ring sections substantially coincide, and wherein said distal focal points of said center and ring sections are adjacent to each other.

7. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said center section is generally parabolic and has a single focal zone.

8. A reflector according to

claim 7

, wherein said at least one ring section is generally ellipsoid and has proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, and wherein said focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zone of said at least one ring section generally coincide.

9. A reflector according to

claim 8

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of generally ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections generally coincide, wherein said distal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections are generally adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections generally coincide.

10. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said center section and said at least one ring section are generally ellipsoid, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, and wherein said proximal focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zone of said at least one ring section generally coincide.

11. A reflector according to

claim 10

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of generally ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal zones of said center and ring sections generally coincide, and wherein said distal focal zones of said center and ring sections are generally adjacent to each other.

12. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics are determined by numerical analysis.

13. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics further include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are reflected.

14. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:

a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and

a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.

15. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:

a predetermined zone at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and

a predetermined zone at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.

16. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined first curvature is selected from a group which consists of generally parabolic, substantially parabolic, generally ellipsoid, substantially ellipsoid, and a curvature which is determined by numerical analysis to yield said predetermined first reflective characteristics.

17. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined second curvature is selected from a group which consists of generally parabolic, substantially parabolic, generally ellipsoid, substantially ellipsoid, and a curvature which is determined by numerical analysis to yield said predetermined second reflective characteristics.

18. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said predetermined curvature and reflective characteristics further include a predetermined phase difference between said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse.

19. A reflector according to

claim 18

, wherein said phase difference is between 0.5 and 1 microsecond.

20. A reflector according to

claim 1

, wherein said at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, includes a plurality of ring sections, each having predetermined curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse.

21. A reflector according to

claim 20

, wherein said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse further include predetermined phase differences between them.

22. A dome-shaped reflector, having:

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.

23. Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:

a dome-shaped reflector, having;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;

an x-axis passing through its center;

an open end;

a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;

a fluid medium contained within said reflector and said diaphragm, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;

a pressure-pulse source, immersed in said medium, located between said reflector and said diaphragm, on said x-axis, for generating the primary pressure pulse; and

a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.

24. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said first and second curvatures and reflective characteristics are associated with a point P, located on said x-axis, and wherein said pressure-pulse source is located at said point P.

25. Apparatus according to

claim 24

, wherein said center section is substantially parabolic and has a single focal point, at said point P.

26. Apparatus according to

claim 25

, wherein said at least one ring section is substantially ellipsoid and has proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal point of said at least one ring section substantially coincide at said point P.

27. Apparatus according to

claim 26

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, wherein said distal focal points of said plurality of ring sections are adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, at said point P.

28. Apparatus according to

claim 24

, wherein said center section and said at least one ring section are substantially ellipsoid, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, and wherein said proximal focal point of said center section and said proximal focal point of said at least one ring section substantially coincide, at said point P.

29. Apparatus according to

claim 28

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said center and ring sections substantially coincide, substantially at said point P, and wherein said distal focal points of said center and ring sections are adjacent to each other.

30. Apparatus according to

claim 24

, wherein said center section is generally parabolic and has a single focal zone, generally at said point P.

31. Apparatus according to

claim 30

, wherein said at least one ring section is generally ellipsoid and has proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, and wherein said focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zone of said at least one ring section generally coincide, generally at said point P.

32. Apparatus according to

claim 31

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of generally ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections generally coincide, wherein said distal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections are generally adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zones of said plurality of ring sections generally coincide, generally at said point P.

33. Apparatus according to

claim 24

, wherein said center section and said at least one ring section are generally ellipsoid, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, and wherein said proximal focal zone of said center section and said proximal focal zone of said at least one ring section generally coincide, generally at said point P.

34. Apparatus according to

claim 33

, wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of generally ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal zones with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal zones of said center and ring sections generally coincide, generally at said point P, and wherein said distal focal zones of said center and ring sections are generally adjacent to each other.

35. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said first and second curvatures and reflective characteristics are associated with a point P, located on said x-axis, and wherein said pressure-pulse source is located at a point P″

on said x-axis.

36. Apparatus according to

claim 35

, wherein said point P is more proximal to said reflector than said point P″

.

37. Apparatus according to

claim 35

, wherein said point P is more distal to said reflector than said point P″

.

38. Apparatus according to

claim 35

and further including a linear extender for varying a distance between said pressure-pulse source and said reflector, along said x-axis.

39. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said pressure-pulse source is selected from a group which consists of substantially and generally point pressure-pulse sources.

40. Apparatus according to

claim 39

, wherein said pressure-pulse source is a spark discharge source.

41. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said pressure-pulse source is an electromagnetic pressure-pulse source.

42. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined first curvature is selected from a group which consists of generally parabolic, substantially parabolic, generally ellipsoid, substantially ellipsoid, and a curvature which is determined by numerical analysis to yield said predetermined first reflective characteristics.

43. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined second curvature is selected from a group which consists of generally parabolic, substantially parabolic, generally ellipsoid, substantially ellipsoid, and a curvature which is determined by numerical analysis to yield said predetermined second reflective characteristics.

44. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics are determined by numerical analysis.

45. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics further include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are reflected.

46. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:

a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and

a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.

47. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:

a predetermined zone at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and

a predetermined zone at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.

48. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics further include a predetermined phase difference between said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse.

49. Apparatus according to

claim 48

, wherein said phase difference is between 0.5 and 1 microsecond.

50. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, includes a plurality of ring sections, each having predetermined curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse.

51. Apparatus according to

claim 50

, wherein said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse further include predetermined phase differences between them.

52. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said pressure-pulse is operable to generate primary pressure pulses in the range between 1000 and 6000 bars.

53. Apparatus according to

claim 52

, wherein said apparatus is operable to generate, from the primary pressure pulse, subordinate pressure pulses in the range between 5 and 600 bars.

54. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said apparatus is arranged for traveling along at least one axis, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.

55. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said apparatus is arranged for traveling along a plurality of axes, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.

56. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said apparatus is arranged for tilting along at least one angular direction, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.

57. Apparatus according to

claim 23

, wherein said apparatus is arranged for tilting along a plurality of angular directions, for positioning against a tissue surface of a body.

58. Apparatus according to

claim 23

and further including a support fixture for a portion of a body to be treated.

59. Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:

a dome-shaped reflector, having;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;

an x-axis passing through its center;

an open end;

a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;

a fluid medium contained within said reflector and said diaphragm, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;

a pressure-pulse source, immersed in said medium, located between said reflector and said diaphragm, on said x-axis, for generating the primary pressure pulse; and

a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.

60. A pressure-pulse therapy method, which includes:

generating a primary pressure pulse;

propagating the primary pressure pulse in a fluid medium;

employing a reflector, having;

a center section, having first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith; and

at least one ring section, having second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith;

reflecting a first portion of the primary pressure pulse by the center section, thus forming a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

reflecting at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse by the at least one ring section, thus forming at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.

61. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation in a substantially collimated manner.

62. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation in a generally collimated manner.

63. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a substantially focusing propagation.

64. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein reflecting a first portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a generally focusing propagation.

65. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein reflecting at least one additional portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a substantially focusing propagation.

66. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein reflecting at least one additional portion of the propagation includes reflecting the propagation as a generally focusing propagation.

67. A method according to

claim 60

and further including reflecting the first portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation and reflecting at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation with a phase difference between them.

68. A method according to

claim 60

, wherein employing a reflector includes employing a reflector formed of a plurality of sections that include:

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith; and

a plurality of ring sections, having predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics associated therewith,

and wherein reflecting at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation includes reflecting a plurality of additional portions of the primary pressure pulse propagation by said plurality of sections, thus forming a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses.

69. A method according to

claim 68

and further including reflecting the plurality of additional portions of the primary pressure pulse propagation with phase differences between them.

70. A method according to

claim 60

and further including varying the distance between the reflector and a pressure-pulse source which generates the primary pressure pulse.

71. A method according to

claim 60

, and further including therapeutically applying said compound pressure pulse to a tissue of a body.

72. A method according to

claim 71

, wherein the tissue is human tissue.

73. Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:

a disk-like acoustic lens, having;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;

proximal and distal sides with respect to a tissue for treatment;

an enclosure with an open end;

a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;

a fluid medium, contained within said enclosure, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;

a pressure-pulse source, which includes a disk-like, electromagnetic pressure-pulse source, immersed in the medium, located at said distal side of said acoustic lens, for generating a collimated primary pressure pulse that propagates in said medium, and impinges on said acoustic lens; and

a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.

74. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics are determined by numerical analysis.

75. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics further include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are directed.

76. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include:

a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is directed; and

a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is directed.

77. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include:

a predetermined zone at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is directed; and

a predetermined zone at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is directed.

78. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics further include a predetermined phase difference between said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse.

79. Apparatus according to

claim 78

, wherein said phase difference is between 0.5 and 1 microsecond.

80. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, includes a plurality of ring sections, each having predetermined curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse.

81. Apparatus according to

claim 80

, wherein said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse further include predetermined phase differences between them.

82. Apparatus according to

claim 73

, wherein said center section is a cutout section that allows a portion of said primary pressure pulse to pass through it, undisturbed.

83. Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, which includes:

a disk-like acoustic lens, having;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;

proximal and distal sides with respect to a tissue for treatment;

an enclosure with an open end;

a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;

a fluid medium, contained within said enclosure, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;

a pressure-pulse source, which includes a disk-like, electromagnetic pressure-pulse source, immersed in the medium, located at said distal side of said acoustic lens, for generating a collimated primary pressure pulse that propagates in said medium, and impinges on said acoustic lens; and

a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source.

84. A pressure-pulse therapy method, which includes:

generating a primary pressure pulse;

propagating the primary pressure pulse in a fluid medium;

employing a disk-like acoustic lens, formed of at least two sections, which include;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith; and

at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith;

focusing a first portion of the primary pressure pulse by the center section, thus forming a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

focusing at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse by the at least one additional ring section, thus forming at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.

85. A method according to

claim 84

, wherein focusing a first portion of the propagation includes substantially focusing the propagation.

86. A method according to

claim 84

, wherein focusing a first portion of the propagation includes generally focusing the propagation.

87. A method according to

claim 84

, wherein focusing at least one additional portion of the propagation includes substantially focusing the propagation.

88. A method according to

claim 84

, wherein focusing at least one additional portion of the propagation includes generally focusing the propagation.

89. A method according to

claim 84

and further including focusing the first portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation and focusing at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation with a phase difference between them.

90. A method according to

claim 84

, wherein employing a lens formed of at least two sections includes employing a lens formed of a plurality of sections, having predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and wherein focusing at least one additional portion of the primary pressure pulse propagation includes focusing a plurality of additional portions of the primary pressure pulse propagation by said plurality of sections, thus forming a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses.

91. A method according to

claim 90

, wherein said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses further include predetermined phase differences between them.

92. A method according to

claim 84

and further including therapeutically applying said compound pressure pulse to a tissue of a body.

93. A method according to

claim 92

, wherein the tissue is human tissue.

94. A disk-like acoustic lens, having:

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.

95. A lens according to

claim 94

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics are determined by numerical analysis.

96. A lens according to

claim 94

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics further include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are directed.

97. A lens according to

claim 94

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include:

a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is directed; and

a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is directed.

98. A lens according to

claim 94

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics include:

a predetermined zone at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is directed; and

a predetermined zone at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is directed.

99. A lens according to

claim 94

, wherein said predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics further include a predetermined phase difference between said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse.

100. A lens according to

claim 99

, wherein said phase difference is between 0.5 and 1 microsecond.

101. A lens according to

claim 94

, wherein said at least one ring section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, includes a plurality of ring sections, each having predetermined curvatures and focusing characteristics associated therewith, formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse.

102. A lens according to

claim 101

, wherein said plurality of additional subordinate pressure pulses of said compound pressure pulse further include predetermined phase differences between them.

103. A lens according to

claim 94

and further including a cutout section that allows a portion of the primary pressure pulse to pass through it, undisturbed.

104. A lens according to

claim 103

, wherein said cutout section is said center section.

105. A disk-like acoustic lens, having:

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, generally concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and focusing characteristics associated therewith, and formed to direct the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse.