Device for introducing shock waves into a living body and use thereof
In a device for introducing shock waves into a living body by way of at least one element ( 4; 12; 14 ) which transmits the shock waves and upon which shock pulses act, wherein at least one spring member ( 2 ) is used for generating the shock waves, a tensioning device is associated with the spring member and allows for an abrupt release of the spring member while delivering a shock pulse.
1. An apparatus for introducing shock waves into a living body, comprising:
a transmitting element which transmits the shock waves into the living body;
a percussion part for transmitting a shock pulse to the transmitting element, the percussion part having a toothing formation;
a spring member for generating the shock pulse, wherein the spring member is operatively connected to the percussion part; and
a tensioning device for abruptly triggering the spring member, the tensioning device comprising a pinion having an outer circumference, only a portion of the outer circumference having teeth which periodically engage the toothing formation for tensioning the spring member;
wherein the spring member is triggered when the teeth on the outer circumference disengage from the toothing formation; and
wherein spring force of the spring member, when the spring member is triggered, is transmitted as the shock pulse to the transmitting element by having the percussion part directly strike the transmitting element.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the percussion part is formed as a piston which is guided in a housing part and the piston has a head part that emits the shock pulses and a cylindrical hollow part that adjoins the head part.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the compression spring is guided at least partially in the cylindrical hollow part, wherein the compression spring is supported at one end on a rear side of the head part of the piston and at the other end on a housing part.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the cylindrical hollow part of the percussion part has along an outer casing the toothing formation or rack, into which the pinion or worm engages.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the piston has a rib as a guide for the spring member.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the piston has the toothing formation.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , including drive means for bringing the toothing formation into operative connection with the pinion.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the pinion has a partial toothed ring on a part of its circumference.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the partial toothed ring is provided over 180° of the circumference of the pinion.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the pinion is motor driven.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a drive for the pinion is configured as a battery-powered electric motor.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , including a triggerable retaining device provided for releasing the compression spring.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the transmitting element that transmits the shock pulse is arranged coaxially with respect to the percussion part.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the element is incorporated into an endoscope.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14 , wherein the element that transmits the shock pulse is designed as a rounded spherical segment for applying to a living body.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15 , wherein the apparatus is sized, as seen from its external dimensions, which allows the appliance to be held in an adult hand.