Gerd Wessels

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.

Device for treating life forms with two different types of focused acoustical waves

A sound generator for treating life forms with focused acoustical waves, characterized by an electrical drivable sound source, focusing arrangement for the acoustical waves coming from the sound source and an electrical generator arrangement for driving the sound source. The generator arrangement includes at least two different generators, which are connectible to the sound source by a switch arrangement and which will drive the sound source for generating different types of acoustical waves, for example shock waves and a continuous sound or acoustical wave. The sound source may be composed of a single transducer or a plurality of transducers.