Apparatus for producing time-staggered shock waves

• US 4,664,111 A
• Filed: 01/21/1986
• Issued: 05/12/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/1985
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Reichenberger, Helmut
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US06/821,093
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 128/328, 128/24 A, 128/660, 367/138, 367/151
• 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 17/2251 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: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors

Abstract

A shock wave tube generates a plane shock wave which is divided into two partial waves by means of a splitting device, such as a cone. Adjacent the cone are first and second reflectors. The reflectors have different parabolic curvatures and different distances from the cone. Their respective foci coincide at a common point, where a concrement is located. The partial waves require different transit times to reach the common focus point. Time-staggered shock waves are obtained in the concrement with the use of a single shock wave tube.

Claims

1. Apparatus for producing time-staggered shock waves, comprising:

means for producing a planar ultrasonic shock wave;

ultrasonic beam splitting means for splitting said shock wave into at least two secondary ultrasonic shock waves; and

reflecting means for focusing all said secondary shock waves upon a common focal region along paths of unequal lengths.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beam splitting means comprises a cone of a material which reflects ultrasound.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said cone is a 90°

cone with its apex pointing towards said producing means.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said cone is made of brass.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said reflecting means comprises first and second parabolic reflectors disposed on opposite sides of said beam splitting means.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a one of the parabolic reflectors is detachably secured to the apparatus and is replacable with another parabolic reflector of a different shape.

7. Apparatus for producing time-staggered shock waves, comprising:

means for producing a planar ultrasonic shock wave;

ultrasonic beam splitting means for splitting ultrasound shock waves into at least two secondary ultrasonic shock waves; and

reflecting means for focusing all said secondary shock waves upon a common focal region along paths of unequal lengths, said reflecting means including means for adjusting the length of at least one of said paths.