APPARATUS FOR GENERATING SHOCK WAVES

• US 20170172843A1
• Filed: 12/13/2016
• Published: 06/22/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Switalis GmbH
• Original Assignee: CellVitalis Holding GmbH
• Inventors: Mbius, Andreas, Voss, Axel, Brinkmann, Ralph
• Granted Patent: US 10,828,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/0153 hand-held
• 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 2201/1635 Hand or arm, e.g. handle hand-held, A61H2201/0153; fore-arm support, A61H2003/006
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/50 Control means thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2203/03 especially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/004 With mechanical drive, e.g. spring mechanism or vibrating unit being hit for starting vibration and then applied to the body of a patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/008 using shock waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device for generating shock waves that comprises an interchangeable applicator head for generating shock waves for treatment of human or animal bodies, which applicator head comprises a reflection or focusing mechanism, two electrode tips for producing a spark gap, and a membrane, which together with the reflection or focusing mechanism encloses a fluid medium that is designed to generate a plasma when a voltage between 1 kV and 30 kV is applied. According to the disclosure, the applicator head is electrically and mechanically connected to a hand-held apparatus in a detachable manner.

Claims

1. An interchangeable applicator head for generating shock waves for treatment of human or animal bodies, comprising:

a reflection mechanism;

two electrode tips that produce a spark gap; and

a membrane, the membrane and reflection mechanism enclosing a fluid medium, the fluid medium generating a plasma when a voltage between about 1 kV and about 30 kV is applied thereto.

2. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 1, wherein the reflection mechanism is ellipsoid in shape.

3. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 1, wherein the reflection mechanism is paraboloid in shape.

4. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 1, further comprising a communications medium, the communications medium allowing a control unit to identify the interchangeable applicator head.

5. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 4, wherein the communications medium is connected to the control unit via one of a wired or contactless connection.

6. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 4, wherein data is transferred between the communications medium and the control unit via radio frequencies.

7. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 4, further comprising a detachable ignition device comprising the two electrode tips, the detachable ignition device coupled to the control unit by an electro-mechanical plug-in mechanism.

8. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 1, wherein the voltage is between about 5 kV and about 20 kV.

9. The interchangeable applicator head according to claim 1, wherein the reflection mechanism and the membrane are a sealed unit.

10. A system for generating shock waves for treatment of human or animal bodies, comprising:

a control unit;

a hand-held apparatus in communication with the control unit; and

an applicator head being one of electrically or mechanically connected to the hand-held apparatus in a detachable manner.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hand-held apparatus is in communication with the control unit via a connecting cable and a high-voltage plug.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hand-held apparatus includes a button for triggering shock waves.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the hand-held apparatus includes an interlock mechanism housed in the hand-held apparatus, the interlock mechanism allowing replacement of the applicator head.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the applicator head is coupled to the control unit via a detachable connection, and wherein the control unit is a portable table-top unit.