Method and device for applying pressure waves to the body of an organism
First Claim
1. Method for applying extracorporeally generated acoustic pressure waves, specifically shock waves, to the body of an organism, characterized in that the effect of the pressure waves within the treated target area is determined using cavitation bubbles generated within the tissue of the body by recording the acoustic signals of these bubbles using at least one preferably extracorporeally disposed detector.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device are described for applying extracorporeally generated pressure waves, specifically acoustic shock waves, to the body of an organism. The effect of the shock waves in the impacted target area of the body is measured by extracorporeally disposed detectors which record the acoustic signals, the acoustic signals being generated within the tissue by the cavitation bubbles caused by the shock waves. The measured cavitation effect may be utilized to control and adjust the dosage of shock waves. The use of focused detectors allows for spatial scanning of the cavitation effect—with the result that the focus of the shock waves may be controlled, the tissue structure may be scanned, and the pressure field of the shock waves may be mapped.
30 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. Method for applying extracorporeally generated acoustic pressure waves, specifically shock waves, to the body of an organism,
characterized in that the effect of the pressure waves within the treated target area is determined using cavitation bubbles generated within the tissue of the body by recording the acoustic signals of these bubbles using at least one preferably extracorporeally disposed detector.
-
8. Device for applying extracorporeally generated acoustic pressure waves to the body of an organism including a pressure wave generator (1) and a treatment head (2),
characterized by: - at least one acoustic detector (3a, 3b) brought in contact with the surface of the body to record the acoustic signals from the cavitation bubbles generated by the pressure waves and characterized by an electronic evaluation means (4) to which the signals from at least one detector (3a, 3b) are fed, the parameters for the pressure waves generated by the pressure wave generator (1) being adjusted in response to the signals processed in the electronic evaluation means (4).
- View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
Specification