Described here are devices and methods for forming shock waves. The devices may comprise an axially extending elongate member. A first electrode pair may comprise a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode pair may be provided on the elongate member and positioned within a conductive fluid. A controller may be coupled to the first electrode pair. The controller may be configured to deliver a series of individual pulses to the first electrode pair, where each pulse creates a shock wave. The controller may cause current to flow through the electrode pair in a first direction for some of the pulses in the series and in a second direction opposite the first direction for the remaining pulses in the series.

A shock wave treatment device to treat skin and adjacent tissue with a combination of mechanical stimulation and acoustic pressure shock waves, such as methods for cosmetic applications, enhancing blood circulation, and wound treatment, includes a pressure shock wave applicator having a reflector and a mechanical stimulator of one or both of a vacuum device and roller device.

A system that breaks calcium in a liquid includes a catheter including first and second electrodes arranged to receive there-across a high electrical voltage at an initial low current. The high electrical voltage causes an electrical arc to form across the electrodes creating a gas bubble within the liquid, a high current to flow through the electrodes, and a mechanical shock wave. A power source provides the electrodes with the high electrical voltage at the initial current and terminates the high electrical voltage in response to the high current flow through the electrodes.

The present disclosure relates to electrically controllable surgical tools. In general, surgical devices are provided having an electrically controllable, fingered operating end for use in angiography, endovascular and/or neurological surgery. The finger(s) at the operating end can be made from ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) material to facilitate control of the finger(s).

A device includes: a sheath; an operating wire disposed inside the sheath; a grasping part that is provided at a distal end of the operating wire and that has one or more wires; and a bipolar electrode disposed at a distal end of the sheath. The sheath has, at intervals in the circumferential direction, escape grooves that extend from the distal end toward a proximal end of the sheath, that penetrate from an inner circumferential surface to an outer circumferential surface thereof, and that have such dimensions as to allow the wires to pass therethrough. The bipolar electrode is disposed at a position shifted radially outward from the central axis and at a position between two of the escape grooves in the circumferential direction. The distal end of the bipolar electrode is positioned closer to distal ends of the escape grooves than to proximal ends of the escape grooves.

Described herein is a shock wave device for the treatment of vascular occlusions. The shock wave device includes an outer covering and an inner member inner connected at a distal end of the device. First and second conductive wires extend along the length of the device within the volume between the outer covering and the inner member. A conductive emitter band circumscribes the ends of the first and second wires to form a first spark gap between the end of the first wire and the emitter band and a second spark gap between the end of the second wire and the emitter band. When the volume is filled with conductive fluid and a high voltage pulse is applied across the first and second wires, first and second shock waves can be initiated from the first and second spark gaps.

The present invention provides a catheter for treating an occlusion in a body lumen. The catheter includes an elongated tube, a first electrode pair and a second electrode pair each configured to generate shock waves. The catheter also includes a flexible polymer enclosure that is fillable with conductive fluid and wrapped circumferentially around at least a portion of the elongated tube such that it surrounds the first and second electrode pairs. The first and second electrode pairs can be arranged relative to one another to promote interference between shock waves generated at the electrode pairs when voltage is delivered across the electrodes of each pair. Electrode pairs can be longitudinally adjacent (spaced a relatively small longitudinal distance apart), longitudinally aligned (at the same longitudinal location), circumferentially offset (offset about the circumference of the catheter), circumferentially aligned (at the same circumferential location), or any combination of any of the above.

Acoustic pressure shock waves are applied to a drug delivery structure implanted in tissue of a human or animal body and including one or more pouches that contain at least one drug in fluid form that is releasable from the drug delivery structure when targeted by the acoustic pressure shock waves.

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 extracorporeal pressure shock wave device includes a hinge providing a pivotable axis about which a shock wave applicator rotates to provide for adjusting the depth within a targeted body that a shock wave focal volume is produced from the applicator.