SHOCK WAVE THERAPY METHOD AND DEVICE

• US 20040162508A1
• Filed: 02/19/2004
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Patent, LLC (Tissue Regeneration Technologies LLC)
• Original Assignee: General Patent, LLC (Tissue Regeneration Technologies LLC)
• Inventors: Uebelacker, Walter
• Application Number:
  US10/708,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162508A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• 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: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/043 producing shock waves G10K15/046, G10K15/06 take precedence; generating seismic energy G01V1/02

Abstract

An extracorporeal shock wave system provides a planar wave for the treatment of tissue. A parabolic reflector is provided in order to propagate the planar wave through a membrane and to the tissue of a human subject. A piezoelectric, electrohydraulic or electromagnetic source may be used to develop the wave.

Claims

1. A therapeutic shock wave device comprising:

a reflector housing;

a parabolic reflector disposed in the housing; and

an energy source disposed within the parabolic reflector for developing a shock wave so that a planar shock wave is formed by the parabolic reflector and emanates from the housing.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the parabolic reflector is shaped and dimensioned to provide the planar shock wave having a power density level to produce a tissue reaction in a subject to which the wave is administered.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the shock wave has a power density in the range of approximately 0.01 mJ/ mm² to 1.0 mJ/mm².

4. The device of claim 1, and further comprising a coupling member which intersects the reflector along a circle having a diameter in the range of approximately 20 mm to 100 mm.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the parabolic reflector has an origin point and a focal point spaced from the origin point a distance in the range of approximately 3 mm to 10 mm.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the energy source is an electrohydraulic source.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the energy source has a propagation point centered approximately at a focal point of the parabolic reflector.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the energy source comprises a pair of electrode tips connected to a capacitor.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein the energy source has a propagation point centered approximately between the electrode tips.

10. The device of claim 1 wherein the parabolic reflector includes a cavity having an opening and the opening sealed by a membrane.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein the cavity contains a fluid.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the fluid is water.

13. A method for developing a planar shock wave to be used for therapeutic purposes on a subject, the method comprising the steps of:

generating a spark to cause a shock wave;

shaping and directing the shock wave to create a planar shock wave; and

propagating the planar shock wave toward the subject.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

providing a device having a parabolic reflector, an energy source attached to an electrode tip and a membrane disposed across a cavity in communication with the parabolic reflector;

orienting the electrode tip generally at a focal point of the parabolic reflector;

generating the spark at the electrode tip and developing the shock wave;

propagating the shock wave so that it reflects at the parabolic reflector; and

propagating the planar shock wave through the membrane and toward tissue of the subject to receive the planar wave for therapeutic effect.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the planar shock wave generates an immune response in the subject and has a power density in the range of approximately 0.01 mJ/ mm² to 1.0 mJ/mm².

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the parabolic reflector has an opening having a diameter that is in the range of approximately 20 mm to 100 mm.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the planar shock wave triggers a physiological repair response in the subject.

18. A therapeutic method for treating tissue comprising the steps of:

generating a planar shock wave; and

coupling the planar shock wave to the tissue to be treated.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the steps of:

providing a treatment device that develops the planar shock wave;

orienting the treatment device adjacent to the tissue area; and

activating the tissue in order to cause a chemical release from the tissue cells.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein the shock wave is generated by electro hydraulic, electromagnetic or piezoelectric means.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein the generating includes:

generating a spark to develop a shockwave, and reflecting the shockwave from a parabolic reflector to form a planar shock wave.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein the planar shock wave is administered at a power density sufficient to cause the tissue to be activated to release a protein for generating an immune response.

23. A therapeutic device for administering a shock wave to a subject comprising:

a housing;

a shock wave source disposed in the housing;

wave directing and shaping structure in the housing responsive to the shock wave for causing a planar shock wave to be emitted from the housing; and

structure for coupling the shock wave to the subject.

24. The therapeutic device of claim 23 wherein the wave directing and shaping structure includes a parabolic reflector.

25. The therapeutic device of claim 23 wherein the housing includes an opening and the coupling structure includes a membrane disposed across the opening.

26. The therapeutic device of claim 25 wherein the wave directing and shaping structure is disposed in a cavity having the opening.

27. The therapeutic device of claim 23 wherein the shock wave source includes an electrode that develops a spark.