Shock wave source

摘要

A shock wave source of the type suitable for treating calculi in the body of a patient has a shock wave tube filled with a shock wave-conducting medium which is closed at one end by a flexible cover adapted to be pressed against the patient, and closed at an opposite end by a membrane. A flat coil is disposed parallel to and spaced from the membrane, with an insulation layer therebetween. The coil is connected to a high voltage pulse generator. The membrane consists of an insulator disc having electrically conductive tracks thereon, preferably concentrically disposed. The conductive tracks constitute a significantly lengthened path which must be overcome in order to generate an arc between the membrane and the coil, so that unwanted arcing is substantially eliminated.