Extracorporeal lithotripsy apparatus

摘要

An extracorporeal lithotripsy apparatus includes at least one shock wave tube for generating focussed shock waves at a location in the body of a patient at which a calculus is disposed for disintegrating the calculus. The shock wave tube has a deformable portion which conforms to the shape of the patient when the shock wave tube is pressed against the patient and a rigid portion which supporst the deformable portion. The apparatus also includes a system for positioning the shock wave tube at a location against the patient such that the calculus is disposed at the focus. The shock wave tube is provided with a sensor and a detector circuit which generates a signal upon the occurrence of contact between the patient and the rigid portion of the shock wave tube so as to cease operation of the positioning system so that the patient is not displaced by movement of the shock wave tube.