Apparatus for generating shock waves

• US 20040167445A1
• Filed: 02/18/2004
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanuwave, Inc. (SANUWAVE Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: HMT High Medical Technologies AG
• Inventors: Simnacher, Erwin
• Granted Patent: US 7,867,178 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 17/22012 in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245
• 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: A61B 2017/22028 arrays, e.g. phased arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/043 producing shock waves G10K15/046, G10K15/06 take precedence; generating seismic energy G01V1/02

Abstract

Apparatus for Generating Shock Waves directed at an area of a human or animal body to be treated using piezoelectric fibers, for generating shock waves. The piezofibers integrated in a composite material are controlled for this, and together with a control unit they form the shock-wave generating part.

Claims

1. Apparatus for generating shock waves directed at an area of a human or animal body to be treated,

wherein the shock-wave generating part (12) consists of piezoelectric fibers (14) integrated in a composite material (16).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein said piezoelectric fibers (14) are integrated in said composite material (16) such that their lengthwise direction shows to said area to be treated and/or to the direction of propagation (26) of the shock wave.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said piezoelectric fibers (14) integrated in said composite material (16) form at least one module (22) with said composite material (16).

4. Apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein said at least one module (22) forms a spatial unit.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein said at least one module (22) forms a unit by means of common electrically connected piezoelectric fibers (14).

6. Apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein said at least one module (22) is designed in geometrically different forms.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein several of said module (22) are arranged next to one another.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7,

wherein said several modules (22) are interconnected individually, in groups or with one another.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3,

wherein said at least one module (22) is arranged on a carrier (24).

10. Apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein said module carrier (24) is designed in geometrically different forms.

11. Apparatus according to claim 9,

wherein said module carrier (24) is designed in an electrically conductive way.

12. Apparatus according to claim 2,

wherein said piezoelectric fibers (14) are designed to be commonly contacted on their respective terminals (3).

13. Apparatus according to claim 12,

wherein said terminals (30) are designed with at least one electrical connection.

14. Apparatus according to claim 13,

wherein one of said electrical connections is connected with said module carrier (24).

15. Use of piezoelectric fibers (14) for generating shock waves for the treatment of the human or animal body.