Crushing device for concrements in the body of a living being

摘要

The invention relates to a device for the contactless crushing of a concrement (1) in a patient (19), e.g. a calculus in the kidney (15). The required force is exerted upon the concrement (1) by a shock wave. The shock wave generator used is a shock tube (3) which is known per se and which essentially generates plane waves. The plane waves are focused on the concrement (1) by means of a lens (61; 66). For location of the concrement (1) in the patient (19) the shock tube (3) is operated, according to a first embodiment, with a low amplitude and is thus used as an emitter for the acoustic location signal. A second embodiment envisages the use of an ultrasonic transducer (41) as the emitter for the acoustic location signal. In both cases, the receiver unit may comprise a two-dimensional array for transmission or for reflection. It is also possible to use an elongate single cell or multi-cell ultrasound array (41) which can be rotationally adjusted about a longitudinal axis and is located next to the shock tube (3). <IMAGE>