Acoustic Shockwave Apparatus and Method
OwnerCharles R. Engles, Yung Chen Suinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering it into a body is described. The apparatus includes a generator for creating an acoustic energy pulse having an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter. The cylindrically shaped space has a cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees. A minimum energy density for the pulse at all locations within the cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for the pulse within the space.
Claims50
An apparatus for generating an acoustic energy pulse, said apparatus comprising:
- a generator for creating the acoustic energy pulse having an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter;
- wherein said cylindrically shaped space has a proximal end, a distal end and a cylinder longitudinal axis, said cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the acoustic energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees, said proximal end located at a first distance from said generator, said distal end located at a second distance from said generator, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance;
- and
- wherein a minimum energy density for said pulse at all locations within said cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for said pulse within said space.
A method of delivering an acoustic energy pulse, said method comprising:
- providing an acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus;
- generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering the acoustic energy pulse from the acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus;
- wherein the acoustic energy pulse has an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter;
- wherein said cylindrically shaped space has a proximal end, a distal end and a cylinder longitudinal axis, said cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the acoustic energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees, said proximal end located at a first distance from said generating apparatus, said distal end located at a second distance from said generating apparatus, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance;
- and
- wherein a minimum energy density for said pulse at all locations within said cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for said pulse within said space.
A method of delivering an acoustic energy pulse into a body, said method comprising:
- providing an acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus;
- contacting said acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus to the body;
- generating the acoustic energy pulse and delivering the acoustic energy pulse into the body;
- wherein the acoustic energy pulse has an energy density field that can be measured at all points within a space in the shape of an imaginary cylinder having a length greater than or equal to 2 cm and a diameter;
- wherein said cylindrically shaped space has a proximal end, a distal end and a cylinder longitudinal axis, said cylinder longitudinal axis oriented relative to a longitudinal axis of the acoustic energy pulse at an angle in the range from zero to twenty degrees, said proximal end located at a first distance from said generating apparatus, the distal end located at a second distance from said generating apparatus, wherein said first distance is less than said second distance;
- and
- wherein a minimum energy density for said pulse at all locations within said cylindrically shaped space is at least 50% of a maximum energy density for said pulse within said space.
A method of treating the female urethra of a patient, said method comprising:
- providing an acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus;
- contacting the acoustic energy pulse generating apparatus to a body of the patient, in contact with or adjacent to an end of the urethra;
- generating an acoustic energy pulse and delivering the acoustic energy pulse into the body, in a direction along a length of the urethra.
An apparatus for generating acoustic energy pulses for delivery into a living body, said apparatus comprising
- a housing comprising an opening and a longitudinal axis, wherein said longitudinal axis extends through said opening;
- an acoustic energy pulse generator wherein at least a portion of said acoustic energy pulse generator is contained within said housing;
- and
- a contact portion configured to be placed in contact with or adjacent to the living body, and positioned such that an acoustic energy pulse generated by said acoustic energy pulse generator passes through said contact portion;
- wherein said acoustic energy pulse generator is configured to generate and deliver the acoustic energy pulse along a urethra of the living body in a direction along a length of the urethra, said acoustic energy pulse being configured to produce a therapeutic result.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.