US5119801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric shock wave generator
Assignee: Dornier Medizintechnik GmbH
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Filing: 1991-10-15
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Granted: 1992-06-09
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Expires: 2011-10-15
Abstract
Abstract A piezoelectric shock wave generator for use in medical equipment includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements being electrically interconnected to operate in parallel and mounted on a common carrier of curved configuration; a coupler medium couples shock waves as generated by these piezoelectric generators into the body of a living being, the improvement includes electrical insulation between the piezoelements being in fluid, i.e. liquid or gaseous state, in that each piezoelectric element is surrounded by the fluid in any direction towards any other piezoelectric element; the front ends of the piezoelectric elements may be physically separated, so that the coupler fluid and the isolating fluid are the same, and having a common flow space; alternatively, a membrane in front of all said piezoelectric elements provides electrical interconnection between them and physically separates the isolating fluid from the coupler liquid.
Inventors
- 👤 Harald Eizenhoefer
- 👤 Ernst Marlinghaus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:23
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K15/00; G10K15/04; G10K15/043; A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/225; B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0622
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
In a piezoelectric shock wave generator for use in medical equipment and including a plurality of piezoelectric elements being electrically interconnected to operate in parallel and mounted on a common carrier, there being a coupler medium for coupling shock waves as generated by these piezoelectric elements into the body of a living being, wherein the improvement comprises an electrical insulation between the piezoelectric elements being in a fluid state, in that each of said piezoelectric elements is surrounded by the fluid insulation, and in any direction towards any other of the piezoelectric elements, said insulation having a breakthrough strength in excess of about 5 KV/mm, being larger than the breakthrough strength of air.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a piezoelectric shock wave generator for use in medical equipment and including a plurality of piezoelectric elements being electrically interconnected to operate in parallel and mounted on a common carrier, there being a coupler medium for coupling shock waves as generated by these piezoelectric elements into the body of a living being, wherein the improvement comprises an electrical insulation between the piezoelectric elements being in a fluid state, in that each of said piezoelectric elements is surrounded by the fluid insulation, and in any direction towards any other of the piezoelectric elements, said insulation having a breakthrough strength in excess of about 5 KV/mm, being larger than the breakthrough strength of air.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Generator as in claim 1 wherein front ends of the piezoelectric elements are physically separated, said coupler medium and said insulation fluid being the same and having a common flow space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
Generator as in claim 1 there being a membrane in front of all said piezoelectric elements providing electrical interconnection between them and physically separating said insulation fluid from said coupler medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
Generator as in claim 2 further comprising individual impedance matching devices in front of each of said piezoelectric elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Generator as in claim 1, wherein rear ends of said piezoelectric elements are embedded in said carrier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
Generator as in claim 1 further comprising wire loops interconnecting front ends of adjacent piezoelectric elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a piezoelectric shock wave generator for use in medical equipment and including a plurality of piezoelectric elements being electrically interconnected to operate in parallel and mounted on a common carrier, there being a coupler liquid for coupling shock waves as generated by these piezoelectric elements into the body of a living being, wherein the improvement comprises an electrical insulation between the piezoelectric elements being a liquid, in that each of said piezoelectric elements is surrounded by the liquid, and in any direction towards any other of the piezoelectric elements, said insulation liquid having a breakthrough strength in excess of about 5 KV/mm which is larger than the breakthrough strength of air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a piezoelectric shock wave generator for use in medical equipment and including a plurality of piezoelectric elements being electrically interconnected to operate in parallel and mounted on a common carrier, there being a coupler liquid for coupling shock waves as generated by these piezoelectric elements into the body of a living being, wherein the improvement comprises an electrical insulation between the piezoelectric elements being a liquid, in that each of said piezoelectric elements is surrounded by the liquid, and in any direction towards any other of the piezoelectric elements, said insulation liquid having a breakthrough strength in excess of about 5 KV/mm which is larger than the breakthrough strength of air.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-09 | 1995-12-09 | 1996-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-09 | 1999-12-09 | 2000-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-09 | 2003-12-09 | 2004-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |