SHOCK WAVE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TREATING A HUMAN OR ANIMAL BODY

Abstract

A pressure wave device for the treatment of a human or animal body having a pneumatic drive for generating a pressure wave for coupling into the human or animal body, having at least one compressor for generating source gas and having a handpiece into which the source gas can be introduced and by means of which a pressure wave is generated, and having a pressure regulating device for adjusting a pressure wave generating pressure for generating the pressure wave, where the at least one compressor for generating source gas is adjustable in steps to at least two power levels, and the pressure regulating device regulates the pressure wave generating pressure (P.sub.D_i) by adjusting the source gas pressure (P.sub.s_i) at each power level, such that each power level is thereby preferably determined by a range of pressure wave generating pressure values and frequencies of the activation of the pressure waves, and the selection of a power level is preferably carried out using a table in which the respective ranges of pressure wave generating pressure values and frequencies are stored.

Claims

1. A pressure wave device for the treatment of a human or animal body, comprising: a pneumatic drive for generating a pressure wave for coupling into the human or animal body, at least one compressor for generating source gas, a handpiece into which the source gas can be introduced and by means of which a pressure wave is generated, and a pressure regulating device for adjusting a pressure wave generating pressure for generating the pressure wave, wherein the at least one compressor for generating source gas is adjustable in steps to at least two power levels, and wherein the pressure regulating device regulates the pressure wave generating pressure (P.sub.D_i) by adapting the source gas pressure (P.sub.s_i) at each power level.

2. The Pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein each power level is determined by a range of pressure wave generating pressure values and frequencies of the activation of the pressure waves.

3. The pressure wave device according to one of claim 1, wherein the selection of a power level is made on the basis of a table in which the respective ranges of pressure wave generating pressure values and frequencies are stored.

4. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one compressor can be switched from a first operating state with a first power level to a second operating state with a second power level in order to set a second pressure wave generating pressure by the pressure regulating device as soon as the pressure wave generating pressure generated in the first operating state is no longer reached at a specific frequency.

5. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating device comprises a pressure reducer or a drain valve comprising a valve such as a solenoid valve, wherein the pressure reducer and/or the drain valve comprises a proportioning valve.

6. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure regulating device has at least one pressure sensor for determining a pressure wave generating pressure.

7. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein at least two compressors are connected to one or are each connected to one motor for controlling the compressors.

8. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein a cold trap for collecting cooled, condensed source gas is arranged between the at least one compressor and the pressure regulating device.

9. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein a relief valve or drain valve is provided between the at least one compressor and the pressure regulating device for discharging an overpressure of the source gas.

10. The pressure wave device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure wave device can be vented by means of a controllable venting valve.

11. A method of treating a human or animal body with pressure waves generated with a pressure wave device according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: starting the at least one compressor to generate source gas, passing the source gas from the at least one compressor to the handpiece, wherein the at least one compressor is set to a discretely controllable operating state to which a discrete power level L is assigned, wherein the pressure wave generating pressure is regulated by adapting a first source gas pressure within the power level L by a pressure regulating device at a certain frequency, and wherein the pressure wave generating pressure is regulated by increasing or by decreasing the power level L.

12. The method according to claim 11, the method further comprising the steps of: closing a venting valve, and/or at least partially opening or at least partially closing a pressure regulating device for passing the source gas from the at least one compressor to a handpiece.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein after a detection of the actually generated pressure wave generating pressure it is checked whether the detected pressure wave generating pressure corresponds to a desired pressure wave generating pressure and, depending on a difference between detected pressure wave generating pressure and desired pressure wave generating pressure, a) the state of the pressure regulating device is maintained unchanged, provided that the difference is approximately zero; b) the pressure regulating device is at least partially opened, provided that the difference is positive, i.e. the detected pressure wave generating pressure is above the desired pressure wave generating pressure, and c) the pressure regulating device is at least partially closed, provided that the difference is negative, i.e. the detected pressure wave generating pressure is below the desired pressure wave generating pressure.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein a compressor speed of the at least one compressor is incrementally increased or decreased when P.sub.s_(i-1)≤P.sub.D_i applies to the maximum source gas pressure or P.sub.D_i≤P.sub.s_(i-1) applies the pressure wave generating pressure, wherein increasing or decreasing the compressor speed is dependent on the set power level, which is determined by a range of pressure wave generating pressure values and frequencies of the activation of the pressure waves.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the setting of the power level and/or the regulation of the pressure wave generating pressure can be changed during a treatment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0057] Further advantages and features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. It is understood that individual embodiments shown in the respective figures may have features that can also be used in other embodiments, even if this is not explicitly stated, and unless this has been excluded due to technical circumstances or explicitly. It is shown in:

[0058] FIG. 1 a pressure wave device according to the present disclosure,

[0059] FIG. 2 a circuit diagram of the pressure wave device according to FIG. 1,

[0060] FIG. 3 an alternative circuit diagram of the pressure wave device according to FIG. 1,

[0061] FIG. 4 a flow chart of a proposed method for treating a human or animal body with pressure waves, and

[0062] FIG. 5 a visualization of the step model proposed herein, which shows a relationship between a pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i and a frequency at which the at least one compressor is operated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a pressure wave device 10 for the treatment of a human or animal body (not shown) with a pneumatic drive 14 for generating a pressure wave 16 for coupling into the human or animal body. The pressure wave device 10, in particular the pneumatic drive 14, has at least one compressor 18 for generating source gas at a source gas pressure P.sub.s_i, the compressor 18 comprising a compressor motor 20. It is conceivable that instead of one compressor 18, several compressors 34, 36 (FIG. 2) are comprised by the pressure wave device 10. Furthermore, the pressure wave device 10 has a handpiece 12, into which the source gas can be introduced via a connection line 22 into an inlet 24 of the handpiece 12. The pressure wave 16 can be coupled into the human or animal body via the handpiece 12. The handpiece 12 has an elongated guide tube 26 in and along which a projectile 28 can be accelerated by the source gas to an impact body 30. The impact body 30 serves as a transmission element for transmitting the pressure wave 16 from the handpiece 12 into the human or animal body. The pressure wave 16 is generated by the accelerated movement of the projectile 28 in the guide tube 26. The guide tube 26 thus serves as an acceleration path for the projectile 28. The pressure waves 16 generated by means of the pressure wave device 10 can penetrate up to 50 mm, into the human or animal body.

[0064] In FIG. 1, it can be seen in conjunction with FIGS. 2 and 3 that a pressure regulating device 32 is arranged in front of or at the inlet 24 of the handpiece 12 or optionally at the drive 14 for adjusting the source gas pressure P.sub.s_i, in particular for providing a substantially constant pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, in the handpiece 12. By means of a regulator 19, the pressure wave generating pressure predetermined at the input or the desired pressure wave generating pressure is adjustable and by means of an activation button 21, the frequency of the introduction of source gas accelerating the projectile is adjustable. By means of the compressor or a compressor system, a certain power level L.sub.i is controlled, whereby a first range of pressure wave generating pressures P.sub.D_i can be adjusted by the regulator 19 and a first range of frequencies f.sub.i can be set by the activation button 21 on the handpiece 12. Here, the source gas pressure P.sub.s_i denotes a gas pressure generated by the compressor 18 or the plurality of compressors 34, 36 and prevailing before flowing through the pressure regulating device 32. A pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, on the other hand, results from the source gas pressure P.sub.s_i after flowing through the pressure regulating device 32.

[0065] FIGS. 2 and 3 each show an alternative of a circuit diagram of the pressure wave device 10 according to FIG. 1. According to FIG. 2, the pneumatic drive 14 of the pressure wave device 10 comprises two compressors 34, 36 instead of one compressor 18 with a compressor motor 20. Each compressor 34, 36 is connected to a compressor motor 38, 40 which drives the respective compressor 34, 36. The compressors 34, 36 thus serve to compress the source gas, wherein the source gas, after its compression, passes through a cooling zone in which a cooling device 42, in particular a cooling coil 42′, is arranged. In the cooling device 42, in particular in the cooling coil 42′, the compressed source gas is cooled before it is fed into the handpiece 12 via the connection line 22.

[0066] Furthermore, a pressure relief valve 44 is arranged between the cooling device 42 and the inlet 24 of the handpiece 12 for discharging an excess pressure of the source gas. The pressure relief valve 44 is designed to automatically discharge a pressure which exceeds a predetermined pressure, in particular a maximum source gas pressure P.sub.s_i, from the connection line 22 or even before the source gas enters the connection line 22. This can prevent an overpressure from occurring in the handpiece 12. The pressure relief valve 44 is designed, for example, to automatically release a pressure greater than, for example, 5 or 10 bar, in particular from the connection line 22. Of course, it is conceivable to calibrate the pressure relief valve 44 to a different switching threshold of the gas pressure at which the pressure relief valve 44 releases gas pressure, if necessary. Preferably, the pressure relief valve is designed to withstand a gas pressure of up to 25 bar.

[0067] Particularly preferably, a cold trap 46 is arranged in the connection line 22 for collecting condensed source gas, i.e. the condensate. It is conceivable that the pressure relief valve 44 is arranged between the cooling device 42 and the cold trap 46. The cold trap 46 may further be connected to a drain or venting valve 48, such as a solenoid valve. The venting valve 48 may, in particular, allow condensate to be removed from the pressure wave device 10 and vented after each use of the pressure wave device 10. This ensures that no residual condensate and source gas remains in the pressure wave device 10 after a treatment. Furthermore, according to the disclosure, a pressure regulating device 32, in particular a pressure regulator, is arranged at or in front of the inlet 24 of the handpiece 12, which adjusts, i.e. regulates, the source gas pressure P.sub.s_i in the connection line 22 to a predetermined, i.e. desired, pressure value, i.e. a pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i. It is further conceivable that the pressure regulating device 32 is arranged in the pneumatic drive 14 and the gas pressure is regulated before it flows into the connection line 22.

[0068] To check the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i set via the pressure regulating device 32, a pressure sensor 50 is also arranged, for example in the connection line 22 or at another suitable position. The pressure sensor 50 is designed to detect the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, which flows in the connection line 22 after passing the pressure regulating device 32, and to indicate this to a user, e.g. on a display.

[0069] FIGS. 2 and 3 differ only in the design of the pressure regulating device 32. According to FIG. 2, the pressure regulating device 32 is designed as a valve, in particular as a solenoid valve, which can withstand a pressure of, for example, up to 7 bar, preferably up to 10 bar. According to FIG. 3, the pressure regulating device 32 is designed as a pressure reducer which can withstand a pressure of, for example, up to 7 bar, preferably up to 10 bar. A pressure reducer is essentially any pressure-reducing valve which is designed for installation in a hose or pipe system and which, despite different pressures on the input side (input pressure, in this case the source gas pressure P.sub.s_i), ensures that a certain output pressure (in this case the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i) is not exceeded on the output side. In particular, a drain valve differs from a pressure reducer in that its task is to reduce excess pressure. This is done, for example, by opening a valve and discharging gas or liquid, e.g. into the environment. The valve can be actively controlled or it can open automatically as an independent unit by means of a spring mechanism at a pressure to be set. In the pressure reducer, on the other hand, no medium is released. The spring mechanism in the pressure reducer always releases just enough opening cross-section to ensure that a pre-set pressure is achieved downstream of the pressure reducer.

[0070] FIG. 4 shows a flow chart of a preferred method of treating a human or animal body with pressure waves 16 using a pressure wave device 10 as described herein. The method comprises the steps: [0071] starting the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36 to generate source gas, [0072] passing the source gas from the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36 to the handpiece 12, wherein [0073] the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36 is operated in an operating state that produces a first source gas pressure within a source gas pressure range at a first power level, [0074] a desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i is generated by adjusting the first source gas pressure by opening or closing a pressure regulating device 32 accordingly.

[0075] In the method proposed herein, as shown in FIG. 4 in a first step S1, inputs can first be made for the power level to be controlled, i.e. a maximum desired pressure wave generating pressure and a maximum desired frequency are entered or these are already stored for the corresponding power level in the pressure wave device 10. In particular, a specific voltage, especially one of several discretely selectable voltages, can be set for the compressor for a pressure wave generating pressure range to be controlled at a specific frequency (specified by the user). The selection allows, in particular, a low-wear and low-noise operating state to be selected for the compressor. After entering this information, the method as such can be started in a second step S2.

[0076] In a third step S3, the pressure regulating device 32 is first opened so that the generated source gas pressure P.sub.s_i from the compressor or compressors 34, 36 can be conducted unhindered through the connection line 22. In a fourth step S4, the venting valve 48, which in an open state serves to vent the cold trap 46, is closed simultaneously or subsequently. In a fifth step S5, the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36 can then be controlled with the predetermined voltage U. The predetermined voltage can be stored in a control system. The optimum voltage U for low-wear and/or low-noise operation is preferably stored in relation to a predetermined discrete power stage L.sub.i. After switching on the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36, the generated source gas pressure consequently flows via the connection line 22 to the inlet 24 of the handpiece 12.

[0077] When flowing through the connection line, the source gas is regulated by the pressure regulating device 32 from a source gas pressure P.sub.s_i to the desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i. For example, a source gas pressure P.sub.s_i of 2 bar, which is assigned in particular to a first power level L.sub.1 of the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36, can be assigned to a first range 1 of pressure wave generating pressures P.sub.D_i and a first range of frequencies f.sub.i. Here, it is now conceivable that the pressure regulating device 32 performs a reduction in order to achieve a pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i in a range between 1 bar≤P.sub.D_i≤2 bar. It is further conceivable that, in addition to a first range 1, a second and a third range 2, 3 are provided to set a desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i at a desired frequency f to a second or third maximum source gas pressure P.sub.s_i. The number of ranges for setting the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i is not limited to three ranges 1, 2, 3. Rather, more or fewer ranges can be provided. The number of ranges depends in particular on the number of adjustable power levels of the at least one compressor.

[0078] By means of a pressure sensor 50, which is arranged, for example, in front of or at the inlet 24, the current pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i is detected after passing the pressure regulating device 32 in the communication line 22. If it is determined in a seventh step S7 by forming a difference between the detected pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i and the desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i that the detected pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i corresponds to a desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, the settings on the pressure regulating device 32 remain unchanged and the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i is further detected at a time interval according to the sixth step S6. If, on the other hand, it is determined in the seventh step S7 that the measured pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, in particular in the connection line 22, exceeds the predetermined pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, i.e. is too high, then in an eighth step S8 the pressure regulating device 32 is opened to such an extent that an increased pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, in particular from the connection line 22, can escape (an opening of the pressure regulating device 32 is reproduced by step S8′). This can prevent an increased gas pressure, namely an increased pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, from entering the handpiece 12 and being undesirable for the treatment.

[0079] Further, according to the sixth step S6, the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i in the connection line 22 is detected by means of the pressure sensor 50. If it is determined in the seventh difference-forming step S7 that the desired pressure wave generating pressure is below the detected pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, i.e. the predetermined pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i is too low, the pressure regulating device 32 is at least partially closed (a closing of the pressure regulating device 32 is reproduced by step S 9′). This ensures that less gas is blown off, so that an increased pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i occurs in the connection line 22, in particular at or in front of the inlet 24 of the handpiece 12.

[0080] Steps S7 to S9 ensure that the pressure is automatically adjusted during treatment. This ensures that the pressure wave 16 can be generated as specified at a desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i. Furthermore, again according to the sixth step S6, the gas pressure, i.e. the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i and/or the source gas pressure P.sub.s_i, is detected in the connection line 22 by means of the pressure sensor 50.

[0081] If it is necessary for the treatment with pressure waves, or if the desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i cannot (any longer) be adjusted by opening/closing in steps S8′, S9′, the power level of the compressor(s) can be “switched” to another stage in a tenth step S10, i.e. the speed at which the compressor(s) is/are operated for the generation of pressure waves 16 is switched to a higher or lower stage. After such a modification according to step S10, an adaption of the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i according to the fifth to tenth steps S5 to S10 can be carried out again in an eleventh step S11.

[0082] FIG. 5 shows an example of an operating state diagram. For each pair of intended frequency f and intended pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D, a voltage or operating voltage is provided at the compressor. The graphs in FIG. 5 show predetermined first and second switching thresholds 52, 54 for the power levels 1, 2 and 3 with which treatment of the human or animal body with pressure waves 16 is to be carried out. The ranges 1, 2, 3 between the switching thresholds 52, 54 are associated with the discrete speeds, i.e. power levels L.sub.1,2,3, adjustable on the at least one compressor 18, 34, 36. If, for example, a second power level L.sub.2 is set, which is assigned to a range 2, it is stored in the control system that a specific second range of pressure wave generating pressures P.sub.D_B2 can be adjusted at a specific frequency f.sub.2 by means of the pressure regulating device 32. This means that the pressure regulating device 32 is either at least partially opened, or partially closed, or remains unchanged. If, for example, a third power stage L.sub.3 is set, which is assigned to a third range 3, then it is stored in the control system that at the specific frequency f.sub.2 a specific third range of pressure wave generating pressures P.sub.D_B3 above a second switching threshold 54 can be controlled, i.e. the pressure regulating device 32 can then be at least partially opened or closed in order to adjust the desired pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i within this third pressure range P.sub.D_B3.

[0083] If, for example, a first power stage L.sub.1 is set, which is assigned to a first range 1, then it is stored in the control system that a specific first range of pressure wave generating pressures P.sub.D_B1 can be controlled at the specific frequency f.sub.2.

[0084] In other words: Depending on the predetermined frequency f.sub.j, certain ranges of controllable pressure wave generating pressures P.sub.D_Bi can be regulated for each power level L.sub.i and depending on the predetermined pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, certain ranges of controllable frequencies f.sub.Bi can be regulated for each power level L.sub.i.

[0085] In a control system (not shown), corresponding voltage settings U for the compressor(s) 18, 34, 36 are stored for a predetermined switching frequency f and a predetermined pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i. According to FIG. 5, it thus results that at a fixed frequency of the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i is changed within the switching thresholds 52, 54 in a power stage (one moves along a vertical line) or at a fixed pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i the frequency f can be changed (one moves along a horizontal line). Depending on the frequency f and/or on the pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D_i, the power level L is adjusted by the operation of the compressor(s) 18, 34, 36. Of course, the proposed solution also includes a movement along the graph of FIG. 5, which is composed of a horizontal and vertical movement, i.e. a change in pressure wave generating pressure P.sub.D and frequency f.

[0086] It is understood that the few ranges 1, 2, 3 and the switching thresholds 52, 54 of FIG. 5 are purely exemplary. It is conceivable that considerably more ranges and switching thresholds are stored in the control, and thus a step module with a plurality of fixed adjustable steps, i.e. discrete stepped power levels L is stored. Further, it is understood that the pressure wave device 10 may have a plurality of compressors 18, wherein each or many compressors 18 may have its/their own compressor motor 20. The use of multiple compressors 18 reduces the noise level.