SHOCK WAVE COUPLING ADAPTER AND METHOD OF USE

• US 20090088670A1
• Filed: 09/23/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/01/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Softwave Tissue Regeneration Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: General Patent, LLC (Tissue Regeneration Technologies LLC)
• Inventors: Rozmajzl, Michael F., Warlick, John
• Granted Patent: US 8,529,451 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2251 characterised by coupling elements between the apparatus, e.g. shock wave apparatus or locating means, and the patient, e.g. details of bags, pressure control of bag on patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2253 using a coupling gel or liquid

Abstract

A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator has a flexible, rigid or semi-rigid membrane or housing adapted to be filled with a fluid. The membrane or housing is devoid of any air or gases and when filled forms a spacer volume for passing acoustic shock waves at low impedance. The wave pattern of the shock wave applicator enters the membrane or housing as a converging wave form to a focus inside the membrane or housing and exits through the membrane or housing in a diverging wave form into the patient to be treated. The spacer adapter may further include a gas filled shield around the perimeter of the fluid filled membrane or housing to block transmissions of acoustic shock waves.

Claims

1. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator comprises;

a flexible membrane or housing adapted to be filled with a fluid, the membrane or housing being devoid of any air of gasses, and when filled forms a spacer volume for passing acoustic shock waves at low impedance, wherein the wave pattern of the shock wave applicator enters as converging to focus the membrane or housing and exits through the membrane or housing in a diverging wave form into the tissue to be treated.

2. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane is made of a flexible synthetic material.

3. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane is made of latex polyurethane, silicon, polyethylene or a flexible thermoplastic material.

4. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane further comprises a fluid valve for adding fluid.

5. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane is pre-filled with a degased water based solution.

6. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane is packaged in a sterility barrier packaging and sterilized prior to use.

7. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane is reusable.

8. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the membrane is disposable.

9. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing is made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

10. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing is made of acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene or a rigid or semi-rigid thermoplastic material of low acoustic impedance.

11. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing further comprises a fluid valve for adding fluid.

12. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing is pre-filled with a degased water based solution.

13. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing is packaged in a sterility barrier packaging and sterilized prior to use.

14. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing is reusable.

15. A shock wave adapter for use with a focused shock wave applicator of claim 1 wherein the housing is disposable.

16. The shock wave adapter of claim 1 further comprises:

a gas filled shield located around the perimeter of the fluid filled flexible membrane or housing.

17. The method of treating tissue with a focused shock wave generating source comprising:

establishing the distance from the shock wave lens to the theoretical focal point;

positioning a fluid filled membrane or housing between the tissue and the lens wherein the focal point is located inside the membrane or housing; and

activating the focused shock wave generating source having the focal point impinge inside the membrane or housing and exit as a divergent wave pattern into the tissue to be treated.