A shock wave applicator includes a housing multiple reflectors with shock wave generators projecting into a shared cavity. The multiple shock wave generators are able to produce a variety of shockwave focal volumes and wave fronts for medical treatment.

A method and system for secure ultrasound treatment of living tissues using an ultrasound probe comprising a reflective cavity in acoustic communication with living tissues, a transducer to emit an ultrasound wave in the reflective cavity and a transducer to acquire a backscattered signal in the reflective cavity. The method comprises the steps of a) emitting a first ultrasound wave in the reflective cavity that generates a backscattered ultrasound wave in the reflective cavity, b) acquiring a backscattered signal in the reflective cavity, c) determining whether an insonification can be safely performed by computing a similarity value between the backscattered signal and a predefined reference signal, and d) if an insonification can be safely performed, treating the living tissues with a second ultrasound wave emitted in the reflective cavity. The second ultrasound wave is focused a target point of the living tissues and generates a pressure pulse resulting in cavitation at this target point

A system for breaking obstructions in body lumens includes a catheter including an elongated carrier, a balloon about the carrier in sealed relation thereto, the balloon being arranged to receive a fluid therein that inflates the balloon, and an arc generator including at least one electrode within the balloon that forms a mechanical shock wave within the balloon. The system further includes a power source that provides electrical energy to the arc generator.

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.

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.

Adaptive lithotripsy systems assist diagnosis and treatment of patients with kidney stones (stones being associated with subsequent development of cancer). As stimulation vibration is transmitted to the patient, both its total transmitted power and power spectral density (PSD) are tailored to individual patient needs. One such need is for progressive stone fragmentation (a hallmark of adaptive lithotripsy systems) at minimum power levels. And minimum power levels are achieved through two adaptive mechanisms for shifting PSD to concentrate transmitted vibration power in more effective frequency ranges. This concentration necessarily reduces power in relatively ineffective ranges, thus minimizing collateral tissue damage. Effective ranges for vibration power concentration are estimated in near-real time using backscatter vibration that is retransmitted from resonating stones while encoding information on the stones' existence, size and composition. Backscatter vibration thus informs adaptive tailoring of stimulation vibration for lithotripsy that is (1) relatively safer and (2) more efficient.

Described here are angioplasty balloon devices for generating shock waves to break up calcified plaques along a length of a vessel and methods of making such devices. Generally, the devices may be used in angioplasty and/or valvuloplasty procedures, but may alternatively be used in other applications. In some variations, the device may include an elongate member, a plurality of electrode assemblies, and at least one tubular sleeve interposed between adjacent or neighboring electrode assemblies that form a continuous outer profile between the electrode assemblies. These devices may have a smooth, continuous outer profile without substantial profile transitions and/or may have stiffening sections between electrode assemblies.

A catheter system fits within a blood vessel wall includes a shock wave generator aligned along a length of a catheter within a balloon proximal to the tip end of the catheter to produce shock waves that propagate outward through the balloon toward the blood vessel wall for treatment.

An apparatus includes a catheter sized to fit within a wall of a blood vessel, wherein the catheter includes a balloon with a liquid inlet coupled to the catheter, a plurality of shock wave generators coupled to the catheter within the balloon, and wherein the shock wave generators upon electrical discharge produce shock waves that propagate away from the catheter toward the wall of the blood vessel, and one or more radiopaque markers coupled to the catheter to identify the location of the balloon.

A shock wave catheter apparatus fits within a blood vessel wall and includes multiple shock wave generators that produce non-focused shock waves within a balloon that inflates around the catheter and the catheter extends beyond a distal end of the balloon.