DEVICE FOR INTRODUCING SHOCK WAVES INTO A LIVING BODY AND USE THEREOF

• US 20110245736A1
• Filed: 10/12/2009
• Published: 10/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ferton Holding SA
• Original Assignee: Ferton Holding SA
• Inventors: Foehrenbach, Marianne
• Granted Patent: US 9,554,965 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/4
• 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 2017/925 a spring
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/10 with further special therapeutic means, e.g. electrotherapy, magneto therapy or radiation therapy, chromo therapy, infrared or ultraviolet therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1246 by piston-cylinder systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1685 interchangeable
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/008 using shock waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/04 with hydraulic or pneumatic drive hydraulic or Pneumatic massages, A61H9/00; underwater massages, A61H33/00

Abstract

In a device for introducing shock waves into a living body by way of at least one element (4; 12; 14) which transmits the shock waves and upon which shock pulses act, wherein at least one spring member (2) is used for generating the shock waves, a tensioning device is associated with the spring member and allows for an abrupt release of the spring member while delivering a shock pulse.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. An apparatus for introducing shock waves into a living body comprising at least one element (4;

12;

14) which transmits the shock waves and on which shock pulses act;

at least one spring member (2) serving to generate the shock pulses, the spring member (2) is assigned a tensioning device which enables the spring member to be triggered abruptly, emitting a shock pulse;

the spring member (2) is operatively connected to a percussion part (3, 16);

the percussion part (3, 16) has a toothing formation or rack (6) into which a pinion (7) or a worm engages, wherein the pinion (7) or the worm only engaged periodically with the toothing formation or rack (6).

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least one spring member comprises a pneumatic or cylindrical mechanical compression spring (2) which is operatively connected to a percussion part (3) wherein the spring force of the compression spring (2), when its compressive stress is released suddenly, can be transmitted to the transmitting element (4;

12;

14) in the form of a shock pulse.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein the percussion part (3) is formed as a piston which is guided in a housing part and the piston has a head part (3.1) that emits the shock pulses and a cylindrical hollow part (3.2) that adjoins the head part (3.1).

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein the compression spring (2) is guided at least partially in the cylindrical hollow part (3.2), wherein the compression spring (2) is supported at one end on a rear side of the head part (3.1) of the piston and at the other end on a housing part.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein the cylindrical hollow part (3.2) of the percussion part (3) has along an outer casing the toothing formation or rack (6), into which the pinion (7) or worm engages.

35. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein the shock pulse is transmitted to the transmitting element (4) by a projectile (23).

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein the projectile (23) is subjected to the action of compressed air.

37. The apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein a device for subjecting the projectile (23) to the action of compressed air has a piston (16) which is guided in a cylinder (18).

38. The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the cylinder (18) is connected via a flexible tube (19) to a channel (22) in which the projectile (23) is located, with a valve being integrated in the flexible tube.

39. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the channel (22) for guiding the projectile (23) is provided in a barrel (20) having a housing (21).

40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein the piston (16) has a rib (17) as a guide for the spring member (2).

41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein the piston (16) has a toothing formation (6).

42. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, including means for bringing the toothing formation (6) or rack into operative connection with the pinion (7) or the worm.

43. The apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein the pinion (7) has a partial toothed ring (8) on a part of its circumference.

44. The apparatus as claimed in claim 43, wherein the partial toothed ring (8) is provided over 180°

of the circumference of the pinion (7).

45. The apparatus as claimed in claim 44, wherein the pinion (7) is motor driven.

46. The apparatus as claimed in claim 45, wherein a drive (9) for the pinion (7) is configured as a battery-powered electric motor.

47. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, including a triggerable retaining device provided for releasing the compression spring (2).

48. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein the transmitting element (4;

12;

14) that transmits the shock pulse is arranged coaxially with respect to the percussion part (3) of the piston.

49. The apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein the element (12) is incorporated into an endoscope.

50. The apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein the element that transmits the shock pulse is designed as a rounded spherical segment (14.1) for applying to a living body.

51. The apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein the apparatus is sized, as seen from its external dimensions, which allows the appliance to be held in an adult hand.