A system and method for producing pressure waves accelerating a projectile membrane in response to a pulse of force produced by a power source. The accelerating membrane delivers kinetic energy to a target membrane upon collision. Following the collision, the power source may continue to deliver additional energy to the now-in-contact membranes. The kinetic energy of the impact and the additional energy following the impact contribute to producing pressure waves by the target membrane.

A method for treating the kidney with focused extracorporeal shockwaves in a noninvasive manner. The method configured to restore blood flow velocity in the interlobular renal arteries, the method using non-invasive focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (‘ESWT’), the method comprising applying between 1 and 2400 non-invasive focused shockwaves having a repetition rate above one shockwave per second, and energy density of about 0.02 to 0.18 mJ/mm.sup.2. The non-invasive shockwave treatment is applied to various focal zones encompassing renal structures.

A method for treating the kidney with focused extracorporeal shockwaves in a noninvasive manner. The method configured to restore blood flow velocity in the interlobular renal arteries, the method using non-invasive focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (‘ESWT’), the method comprising applying between 1 and 2400 non-invasive focused shockwaves having a repetition rate above one shockwave per second, and energy density of about 0.02 to 0.18 mJ/mm.sup.2. The non-invasive shockwave treatment is applied to various focal zones encompassing renal structures.

A catheter that fits within a blood vessel wall includes electrodes aligned along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that produce unfocused shock waves that propagate radially toward the blood vessel wall for treatment.

A catheter that fits within a blood vessel wall includes electrodes aligned along a longitudinal axis of the catheter that produce unfocused shock waves that propagate radially toward the blood vessel wall for treatment.

Methods for performing non-invasive thrombolysis with ultrasound using, in some embodiments, one or more ultrasound transducers to focus or place a high intensity ultrasound beam onto a blood clot (thrombus) or other vascular inclusion or occlusion (e.g., clot in the dialysis graft, deep vein thrombosis, superficial vein thrombosis, arterial embolus, bypass graft thrombosis or embolization, pulmonary embolus) which would be ablated (eroded, mechanically fractionated, liquefied, or dissolved) by ultrasound energy. The process can employ one or more mechanisms, such as of cavitational, sonochemical, mechanical fractionation, or thermal processes depending on the acoustic parameters selected. This general process, including the examples of application set forth herein, is henceforth referred to as “Thrombolysis.”

Disclosed are means of enhancing therapeutic effects of fibroblast administration through utilization of extracorporeal shock waves. In one embodiment, enhancement of intravenously administered fibroblast therapeutic activity is accomplished by introducing extracorporeal shock waves to the patient in need of therapy. In one specific embodiment, enhancement of the ability of fibroblasts administered intravenously to treat a condition is accomplished by exposure of areas areas affected by the condition to extracorporeal shock waves. In another specific embodiment, the invention provides transfection of IL-12 and/or IL-23 into fibroblasts to augment regenerative activity, including neuroregenerative and anticancer activity. In further embodiments the invention provides augmentation of regenerative activity by induction of T regulatory cells utilizing IL-35 transfection, wherein said T regulatory cells provide an optimized environment for stimulation of regenerative activity.

An apparatus includes a balloon adapted to be placed adjacent a calcified region of a body. The balloon is inflatable with a liquid. The apparatus further includes a shock wave generator within the balloon that produces shock waves that propagate through the liquid for impinging upon the calcified region adjacent the balloon. The shock wave generator includes a plurality of shock wave sources distributed within the balloon.

Apparatuses and methods utilizing tactile transducers to create mechanical waves that travel through an individual's body to the kidneys to dislodge kidney stones. Embodiments include a structural member with at least one tactile transducer, an amplifier, and a controller. The tactile transducer(s) produce mechanical waves, and the structural member enables projection of the mechanical waves produced by the tactile transducer(s) toward at least one kidney to dislodge kidney stones. The amplifier is electronically coupled to the at least one tactile transducer, and the controller is electronically coupled to the amplifier and configured to determine the mechanical waves produced by the at least one tactile transducer.

Apparatuses and methods utilizing tactile transducers to create mechanical waves that travel through an individual's body to the kidneys to dislodge kidney stones. Embodiments include a structural member with at least one tactile transducer, an amplifier, and a controller. The tactile transducer(s) produce mechanical waves, and the structural member enables projection of the mechanical waves produced by the tactile transducer(s) toward at least one kidney to dislodge kidney stones. The amplifier is electronically coupled to the at least one tactile transducer, and the controller is electronically coupled to the amplifier and configured to determine the mechanical waves produced by the at least one tactile transducer.