Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus

• US 6,755,796 B2
• Filed: 03/22/2001
• Issued: 06/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Medispec Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Medispec Ltd.
• Inventors: Spector, Avner
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Ruth S.
• Application Number:
  US09/814,359
• Publication Number:
  US 20010023326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 601/2-4, 600/439, 367/141, 367/142, 367/147, 367/151, 367/171, 367/174, 367/175
• 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: A61N 2007/0069 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2007/027 with multiple foci created simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/30 using refraction, e.g. acoustic lenses

Abstract

A pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, including a dome-shaped reflector, at least one ring section, a central x-axis, an open end, a flexible diaphragm capping the open end, a fluid medium within the reflector and diaphragm, a pressure-pulse source immersed in the fluid medium and located on the x-axis for generating a primary pressure pulse, and a power supply for the pressure-pulse source. The reflector includes a center section that has a predetermined first curvature and associated reflective characteristics to reflect the primary pressure pulse to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse. The ring section is substantially concentric with the center section and has a predetermined second curvature and associated reflective characteristics to reflect the primary pressure pulse to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of the compound pressure pulse.

Claims

1. A dome-shaped reflector, comprising:

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse,

wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide,

and wherein said distal focal points of said plurality of ring sections are adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide.

2. A reflector according to claim 1, wherein said center section is substantially parabolic and has a single focal point.

3. A reflector according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics include:

a predetermined point at which said first subordinate pressure pulse is reflected; and

a predetermined point at which said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse is reflected.

4. Pressure-pulse therapeutic apparatus, comprising:

a dome-shaped reflector, having;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse, wherein said at least one ring section comprises a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections;

an x-axis passing through its center;

an open end;

a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;

a fluid medium contained within said reflector and said diaphragm, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;

a pressure-pulse source, immersed in said medium, located between said reflector and said diaphragm, on said x-axis, for generating the primary pressure pulse; and

a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source;

wherein said first and second curvatures and reflective characteristics are associated with a point P, located on said x-axis, and wherein said pressure-pulse source is located at said point P;

wherein said center section is substantially parabolic and has a single focal point, at said point P;

wherein each of said plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections has proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, wherein said distal focal points of said plurality of ring sections are adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, at said point P.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said pressure-pulse source is selected from a group which consists of substantially and generally point pressure-pulse sources.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said pressure-pulse source is a spark discharge source.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said pressure-pulse source is an electromagnetic pressure-pulse source.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said predetermined curvatures and reflective characteristics further include a predetermined zone at which both said first subordinate pressure pulse and said at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse are reflected.

9. Pressure-pulse therapy apparatus, comprising:

a dome-shaped reflector, having;

a center section, having predetermined first curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith and having a focal point, and formed to reflect a primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form a first subordinate pressure pulse of a compound pressure pulse; and

at least one ring section, substantially concentric with said center section, having predetermined second curvature and reflective characteristics associated therewith, and formed to reflect the primary pressure pulse propagating thereon, so as to form at least one additional subordinate pressure pulse of said compound pressure pulse;

an x-axis passing through its center;

an open end;

a flexible diaphragm, which caps said open end;

a fluid medium contained within said reflector and said diaphragm, for facilitating propagation of the pressure pulses;

a pressure-pulse source, immersed in said medium, located between said reflector and said diaphragm, on said x-axis, for generating the primary pressure pulse; and

a power supply, which supplies power to said pressure-pulse source;

wherein said first and second curvatures and reflective characteristics are associated with a point P, located on said x-axis, and wherein said pressure-pulse source is located at said point P,

wherein said at least one ring section includes a plurality of substantially ellipsoid ring sections, each having proximal and distal focal points with respect to said reflector, wherein said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, wherein said distal focal points of said plurality of ring sections are adjacent to each other, and wherein said focal point of said center section and said proximal focal points of said plurality of ring sections substantially coincide, at said point P.