Method and apparatus for producing shock waves for medical applications

• US 8,092,401 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2002
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanuwave, Inc. (SANUWAVE Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sanuwave, Inc. (SANUWAVE Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schultheiss, Reiner
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Tse
• Assistant Examiner(s): Roy, Baisakhi
• Application Number:
  US10/176,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,487 Days
• Field of Search: 601 2- 4
• 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 17/2251 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 2017/22027 Features of transducers
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 15/043 producing shock waves G10K15/046, G10K15/06 take precedence; generating seismic energy G01V1/02
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 9/08 driven by water or other liquids

Abstract

The invention describes a method and an apparatus for producing shock waves in a fluid for medical applications. In a work volume filled with fluid, the pressure is increased mechanically by pulses. The pressure pulse produced in the work volume is transferred to the fluid volume by means of a partition, in order to produce shock waves in the fluid volume.

Claims

1. A method for medically treating a patient by producing shock waves in a surrounding fluid adjacent a work volume comprising the steps of:

increasing pressure in fluid of the work volume by mechanical pulses;

deflecting by at least one of moving and bending a partition separating the surrounding fluid adjacent the work volume from the fluid of the work volume with the pulses;

generating pulses of shock waves in the surrounding fluid and outward from the work volume from repeatedly deflecting the partition; and

applying generated pulses of shock waves to an area of a patient for medical treatment.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising injecting a fluid into the work volume to increase the pressure in the work volume.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising pistoning the work volume to increase the pressure in the work volume.

4. A method for medically treating a patient by producing shock waves in a surrounding fluid adjacent a work volume comprising the steps of:

increasing mechanically pressure in a work volume filled with fluid by mechanical pulses;

pressing with the pulses fluid from the work volume as separate individual fluid streams through a plurality of predefined individual openings in a partition separating the surrounding fluid adjacent the work volume from the fluid of the work volume;

generating pulses of shock waves in the surrounding fluid and outward from the work volume from repeatedly pressing fluid through the plurality of individual openings; and

applying generated pulses of shock waves to an area of a patient for medical treatment.