Arnim Rohwedder

Apparatus for acoustic irradiation of pathological changes in a patient

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for acoustic irradiation of a pathological change in a patient comprising a housing containing a shock wave generator positioned in a fluid-filled focusing chamber closed by a membrane characterized by a ring of elastic material being secured to the housing and surrounding the membrane and projecting beyond the membrane while in an idle position. The ring is provided with a channel system to allow evacuation of air from the space between the ring, membrane and the skin of the patient and also for introducing a coupling fluid into this space. The housing includes a channel for introducing additional fluid into the fluid-filled focusing chamber to cause the membrane to be expanded into the space and to engage the skin of the patient with a thin film of the coupling fluid disposed therebetween.