Surgery: kinesitherapy – Kinesitherapy – Ultrasonic
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-30
2001-02-13
Smith, Ruth S. (Department: 3737)
Surgery: kinesitherapy
Kinesitherapy
Ultrasonic
C601S004000, C367S147000, C367S174000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186963
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Acoustic shock waves are used to break up concretions in the human body, to treat soft-tissue complaints, to stimulate the nerves, and to treat bone diseases. Devices for generating such acoustic shock waves are known from, for example, EP 0,590,177 A1 and WO 96/09,621. In these devices, an electrical spark discharge is generated between two electrodes in a fluid. The spark discharge causes shock waves to form in the fluid, which are focussed by a reflector on the target area to be treated. To conduct the shock waves generated in the volume of fluid into the tissues of the human body, the fluid volume is closed off by an exciting membrane, which is brought into contact with the surface of the human body. Because the spark discharge is always associated with the loss of material from the electrodes, the electrodes have only a relatively short service life. In the known devices, the electrodes are therefore mounted in the fluid volume enclosed by the exciting membrane in such a way that they can be replaced. The fluid volume is connected to a circulation system, through which the fluid is circulated and where it is processed, that is, heated, filtered, and degassed. The circulation system and the connection of the fluid volume to the circulation system are complicated assemblies and occupy a considerable amount of space. Replacing the electrodes is therefore time consuming and makes it necessary to open up the fluid volume and the circulation system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is based on the task of improving a device of the general type described above in such a way that it takes up less space and allows the rapid and easy replacement of the electrodes after they have become worn out.
To this end, the device for generating acoustic shock waves, especially for medical applications comprising at least two electrodes which form a spark discharge gap in a fluid volume and with a reflector for the acoustic shock waves generated during the spark discharge made of an electrically conductive material, and wherein the power to one of the electrodes is supplied by way of the reflector.
The basic idea of the invention is to design the reflector as an electrically conductive component and to use it to supply current to one of the electrodes. As a result, the device becomes much more compact and much simpler in design. The reduction in the size of the shock wave source makes it possible to reduce the size of the entire apparatus and especially of the treatment head, i.e., the part which is placed on the patient to be treated.
In addition, the invention consists in completely enclosing the fluid volume, in which the shock waves are generated, in the reflector and the exciting membrane. Because the fluid volume is therefore no longer connected to a circulation system, the space requirement and the design complexity of the circulation system are eliminated. In particular, it is a simple and convenient process in this design to replace the device after the electrodes have worn out. The reflector with the electrodes and the enclosed fluid volume can be replaced as a single, discreet, compact assembly unit. It is necessary only to disconnect the electrical connections of the electrodes and then to reconnect them again. A simple design by which this can be accomplished consists of a pin-and-socket connection or a screw connection. The replacement of the shock wave source thus becomes as simple as replacing a conventional light bulb.
The enclosed fluid volume also offers the advantage that it is possible to fill the device with a fluid of defined composition. This composition contains physically or electrochemically active substances and consists preferably of water with additives which prolong the service life of the shock wave source. These additives consist of conductive particles, which align themselves with the electrical field of the electrodes and reduce the breakdown field strength. Such particles also make it possible for spark discharges to occur even after the distance between the electrodes has increased as a result of the loss of material from them. When particles of this type are added, there is no longer any need to add salts to increase the conductivity of the water. The corrosive effect of such salts is thus eliminated. In addition, a catalyst such as platinum black which promotes the recombination of the oxyhydrogen gas which forms during the spark discharge is preferably added to the water. In the conventional devices, this oxyhydrogen gas must be removed from the fluid in the external circulation system.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4608983 (1986-09-01), Muller et al.
patent: 4610249 (1986-09-01), Makofski et al.
patent: 4934353 (1990-06-01), Nowacki et al.
patent: WO 91/10228 (1991-11-01), None
Schwarze Werner
Uebelacker Walter
Eugene E. Renz, Jr.
HMT Holding AG
Smith Ruth S.
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