Shockwave reflector

DETAILED DESCRIPTION What I claim is: 1.
In a reflector for focusing, shockwaves in a coupling liquid in order to contactlessly comminute concretions in living bodies, the improvement comprising interior reflecting surface means in which the speed of propagation c.
sub.
TO of a transverse surface wave in said reflecting surface means is less than the speed of sound c.
sub.
S in the coupling liquid filling the reflector.
2.
A reflector according to claim 1, in which the coupling liquid is water and the interior reflecting surface means is lead, tin or tantalum.
3.
In a reflector for focusing shockwaves in a coupling liquid in order to contactlessly comminute concretions in living bodies, the improvement comprising that the interior geometry of the reflector and the reflecting material of the interior reflector surface are in accordance with the following equation: .
rho.
.
sub.
max >.
rho.
.
sub.
K =arcsine c.
sub.
S /c.
sub.
TO wherein .
rho.
.
sub.
max =maximum possible angle of incidence, .
rho.
.
sub.
K =critical angle, c.
sub.
S =speed of propagation of the shockwave inside the reflector, and c.
sub.
TO =speed of propagation of the transverse surface wave in said reflecting material.
4.
A reflector according to claim 3, in which the reflector is a partial ellipsoid of which the limit angle .
rho.
.
sub.
max is less than the angle .
rho.
.
sub.
K because of a smaller enclosing angle.
5.
A reflector according to claim 3, in which the ratio of the axes a:b of the reflector body is near to unity.




Description:
This invention relates to a shockwave reflector for the contactless comminution of concretions in living bodies.
The reflector is in the shape of an ellipsoid and the purpose thereof is to focus shockwaves generated in a spark gap in the first focus and spreading through a liquid in the reflector toward the second focus where the concretion, for instance a kidney stone to be destroyed, is located.
The reflector must transmit as high a proportion as possible of in-phase energy generated in the first focus to the second focus