The invention relates to a shock wave apparatus for treating the human or animal body with an applicator which is intended to couple strokes into the body and has a hollow shape at a front area intended to be placed on the body and a relatively soft elastomeric material with a maximum Shore hardness of 60 Sh.

The present invention relates to a method for treating the kidney with extracorporeal shockwaves in a noninvasive manner and in particular, to such a method for the treatment of the nephrons about the glomerulus.

An apparatus for generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering it into a body is described. The apparatus includes a generator for creating an acoustic energy pulse having an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter. The cylindrically shaped space has a cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees. A minimum energy density for the pulse at all locations within the cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for the pulse within the space.

A device and a method, which is individual to a patient, treat malignant diseases by using selectively acting tumor-destructive mechanical pulses (TMI). The tumor-destructive pulse shapes are determined using physical cell properties, which are individual to each patient. The device is controlled in such that lethal pulse fields are applied in the tumor area.

An electromagnetic shockwave transducer includes a double-faced coil of wire wound around an insulator. The coil has a first coil face on one side of the insulator and a second coil face on an opposite side of the insulator. Coil ends of the coil are electrically coupled to a current source, which produces a current pulse in the coil so as to produce a force between the coil faces.

An apparatus for generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering it into a body is described. The apparatus includes a generator for creating an acoustic energy pulse having an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter. The cylindrically shaped space has a cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees. A minimum energy density for the pulse at all locations within the cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for the pulse within the space.

A two-stage method is disclosed for treating calcified lesions within a wall of a blood vessel. The first step includes breaking apart a calcified lesion using a plurality of shockwaves generated in an angioplasty balloon of an angioplasty catheter device. The angioplasty balloon is dilated via a fluid to a first extent to fit against at least a portion of the wall of the blood vessel. A plurality of electrical pulses are delivered to a pair of electrodes disposed within the fluid inside the balloon. The electrical pulses have an amplitude sufficient to create plasma arcs in the fluid to generate shockwaves that are conducted through the fluid and through the balloon to the blood vessel, to crack the calcified lesion. After breaking apart the calcified lesion, the angioplasty balloon is allowed to further expand to a second extent greater than the first extent, thereby reshaping an opening in the blood vessel.

An apparatus for performing an endovascular procedure using ultrasonic energy includes a catheter comprising a wave guide including an expandable portion for delivering the ultrasonic energy from a source for performing the endovascular procedure. The expandable portion may comprise a plurality of wires formed of a shape memory material. A retractable sheath may be provided for receiving the plurality of wires in the non-deployed position and for being withdrawn to expose the wires in the deployed position. A linear actuator for moving the plurality of wires in a longitudinal direction or a rotary actuator for rotating the plurality of wires may also be provided.

A shockwave transducer for a lithotripter includes a shockwave source and a body with an exit aperture. The transducer is configured to generate a shockwave propagating from the body and through the exit aperture. The body comprises at least one diffuser, which engages into the shockwave propagating from the body. This diffuser includes a material characterized by a propagation velocity of the shockwave that is different from the propagation velocity of the shockwave in the surrounding medium.

Devices and methods for generating acoustic shock wave within a cavity is disclosed. The shock wave device optionally includes a housing having a cylindrical portion and a cone frustum portion. The housing optionally forms a cavity configured to receive a body appendage. The shock wave device optionally includes a plurality of shock wave generators and a coupling assembly having a deformable sac configured to hold shock wave transmitting liquid. The volume of the transmitting liquid is optionally increased or decreased as needed so that the coupling assembly can conform to the shape of the body appendage. The shock waves generated optionally has an intensity gradient within the cavity of the shock wave device, where the intensity gradient is optionally controllable using a control and power supply unit.