Shock wave generating system capable of forming wide concretion-disintegrating region by energizing ring-shaped transducers, and hyperthermia curing system

A shock wave generating system comprising:

• shock wave generating means, including a plurality of shock-wave generating elements, for generating a plurality of shock waves;
• driving means for separately driving said plurality of shock-wave generating elements by controlling respective delay times to produce a plurality of shock waves which converge at a plurality of different focal points to form a synthesized focused region in accordance with a dimension of a concretion to be disintegrated within a biological body under medical examination;
• means for controlling a driving voltage to vary a peak pressure value in said focused region in accordance with a dimension of the concretion to be disintegrated;
• and
• means for storing sets of delay data for use by said driving means to control said delay times of said plurality of shock-wave generating elements, each set of delay data corresponding to a dimension of a concretion,
• wherein said shock-wave generating elements include at least two ring-shaped piezoelectric transducer elements arranged in concentric form.

An ultrasonic hyperthermia system comprising:

• ultrasonic continuous wave generating means, including a plurality of ultrasonic continuous wave generating elements, for generating a plurality of ultrasonic continuous waves;
• driving means for separately driving said plurality of ultrasonic continuous wave generating elements by controlling respective delay times to produce a plurality of ultrasonic continuous waves which converge at a plurality of different focal points to form a synthesized focused region in accordance with a dimension of an object within a biological body to be medically cured;
• means for controlling a driving voltage to vary a peak temperature of said focused region at said object within the biological body;
• and
• means for storing sets of delay data for use by said driving means to control said delay times of said plurality of ultrasonic continuous wave generating elements, each set of delay data corresponding to a dimension of an object to be cured;
• wherein said ultrasonic continuous wave generating elements include at least two ring-shaped piezoelectric transducer elements arranged in a concentric form.