Lithotripter including a safety device

In a medical treatment station which includes a lithotripter having a liquid filled rotational ellipsoid for focussing shockwaves with a circular periphery and boundary and further having a liquid filled cushion means adapted for coupling the lithotripter to the body of a patient, the station further including a rest or support for such a patient, the station further including means for moving the lithotripter and the rest in relation to each other, the improvement comprising:

• said cushion means including bellows
• a fluid-filled, elastic, resilient hose disposed along said periphery and inside said bellows;
• means coupled to the hose for sensing pressure therein including the sensing of any pressure increase if the periphery of the ellipsoid impacts upon another object such as said rest or support or the patient thereon;
• and
• switch means connected to the means for sensing and to said means for moving, for interrupting any moving as provided by the means for moving when said means for sensing responds to an impact on the hose.