Pressure wave massage device

Abstract

The invention relates to a pressure wave massage device for body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, comprising: a pressure-field generation unit (10) having a hollow chamber (12) with an output cross-sectional area (8) for placing on a body part to be stimulated and a medium-influencing assembly (18), acting on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof in the hollow chamber, which is designed to generate a pressure field in the hollow chamber from periodically alternating underpressures and overpressures in relation to a reference pressure; a drive unit (20) which is designed to drive the medium-influencing assembly (18) in such a way that the pressure field is generated in the hollow chamber (12); and a housing (2) containing both the drive unit (20) and the pressure-field generation unit (10) with the medium-influencing assembly (18) and at least one section of the hollow chamber (12). The invention is characterised by the provision of a flexible wall section which covers the output cross-sectional area (8) and thereby closes the hollow chamber (12) and which is caused to move in a reciprocal motion with the generation of the pressure field in the hollow chamber (12) in order to mechanically act on the body part to be stimulated.

Description

[0001] Pressure wave massager

[0002] The invention relates to a pressure wave massage device for body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, with a pressure field generating device which has a cavity with an initial cross-sectional area for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement which acts on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity and is designed to generate a pressure field in the cavity from temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement in such a way that the pressure field is generated in the cavity, and a housing which together contains the drive device and the pressure field generating device with the medium influencing arrangement and with at least a section of the cavity.

[0003] A device of the type mentioned above is known, for example, from EP 3 228 297 A1. This device contains a cavity forming a single, continuous chamber. The outer end of the cavity opens into an application opening, via which the chamber is connected to the environment and which, in this known device, defines the exit cross-sectional area for application to a body part to be stimulated. Accordingly, the "exit cross-sectional area" can be used to describe the area at which the pressure waves from the cavity act on a body part to be stimulated. The medium-influencing arrangement has a membrane that closes the cavity at its inner end and is moved by the drive device alternately toward the application opening and in the opposite direction.The reciprocal movement of the membrane causes a change in the volume of the chamber in such a way that, depending on whether a sealed or open operation takes place, a pressure field of temporally alternating minimum pressures and maximum pressures with respect to the atmospheric standard pressure or an air flow with temporally alternating, oppositely oriented flow directions is generated at the application opening.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to modify a pressure wave massage device of the type mentioned above in such a way that a new type of stimulation can be achieved compared to conventional pressure wave massage devices.

[0005] This object is achieved by a pressure wave massage device for body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, with a pressure field generating device which has a cavity with an initial cross-sectional area for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement acting on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity, which medium influencing arrangement is designed to generate a pressure field in the cavity from temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement such that the pressure field is generated in the cavity, and a housing which jointly contains the drive device and the pressure field generating device with the medium influencing arrangement and with at least a portion of the cavity, characterized by a flexible wall portion,which covers the initial cross-sectional area and thereby closes the cavity, and which, when the pressure field is generated in the cavity, is set into a reciprocal movement to mechanically apply pressure to the body part to be stimulated. According to the invention, the initial cross-sectional area is not formed by an application opening, but rather covered by a flexible wall section, which thereby closes the cavity. The pressure waves generated in the cavity by the pressure field generating device no longer exit the pressure wave massage device according to the invention, but instead strike the flexible wall section that closes the initial cross-sectional area. This results in the pressure waves acting on the flexible wall section and setting it into a corresponding reciprocal movement. For stimulation, the oscillating flexible wall section is brought into mechanical contact with the body part to be stimulated.This leads to a mechanical impact on the body part to be stimulated by the reciprocal movements of the flexible wall section. Accordingly, according to the invention, the body part to be stimulated is no longer impacted by pressure waves or air currents, but rather by the flexible wall section. While conventional pressure wave massage devices of the type mentioned above use indirect stimulation, in which the body part to be stimulated is stimulated using pressure waves or reciprocally oscillating air currents, the inventive solution uses direct stimulation through mechanical impact on the body part to be stimulated.

[0006] A further advantage of the solution according to the invention is that liquid, in particular water, or a mixture of liquid and gas, in particular air, can also be used as the medium. Since the cavity is enclosed by the flexible wall section covering the initial cross-sectional area and is thus hermetically sealed from the environment, there is no risk of leakage and thus of an unwanted escape of such a medium. Due to the physical fact that liquid is an essentially incompressible fluid, it is ensured that the pressure waves from the pressure field generation device impinge on the flexible wall section without at least noticeable damping and thus essentially unchanged, thus allowing the full potential of the pressure waves to be utilized efficiently.For the sake of completeness, it should be noted at this point that the cavity is fundamentally not subject to any spatial restrictions. For example, the cavity can form a single chamber or an arrangement of multiple chambers and / or can be curved and / or contain branches. Likewise, the position of the exit cross-sectional area covered by the flexible wall section is arbitrary and does not necessarily have to be at one end of the cavity, but can alternatively also be provided on one side of the cavity, provided that the flexible wall section is sufficiently accessible for mechanically applying pressure to the body part to be stimulated.

[0007] Furthermore, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted at this point that, within the meaning of the invention, the housing does not necessarily have to be formed in one piece, but can, for example, also consist of several sections or even spatially separated housing parts. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to arrange the drive device outside the housing or in a separate housing. Likewise, it is alternatively conceivable to form essentially only the cavity within the housing and to provide the remaining parts of the pressure field generation device, which includes in particular the medium-influencing arrangement, and also the drive device outside the housing or in another housing.

[0008] Preferred embodiments and further developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims.

[0009] Advantageously, the flexible wall section assumes a neutral position in the absence of the pressure field and, when the pressure field is generated in the cavity, is set into a reciprocal movement around the neutral position in relation to the cavity, outwards and inwards.

[0010] The flexible wall section is preferably elastic and is pre-tensioned into a flat position, preferably in the manner of a tensioned membrane. A preferred design is characterized in that the flexible wall section is designed in the manner of a membrane that seals the cavity, or as such a membrane.

[0011] Preferably, the initial cross-sectional area and / or the flexible wall section has a substantially round shape.

[0012] Not only for hygienic reasons, but also for the desired mobility, it is advantageous if the flexible wall section comprises flexible material, which can preferably be a silicone material, in particular a medical material, or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0013] Preferably, the flexible wall section may have a Shore hardness in a range from Shore 5 to Shore 50.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the thickness or wall thickness of the flexible wall section is not less than 0.2 mm, in particular not less than 0.4 mm, preferably not less than 0.6 mm, and / or not greater than 2 mm, in particular not greater than 1 mm, preferably not greater than 0.8 mm. It has been found that as the thickness or wall thickness decreases, the stimulation effect increases, but at the same time not only does the flexible wall section become more unstable, but above all the noise level also increases, until the risk increases significantly that the flexible wall section loses its elasticity, so to speak, 'wears out' and thus has its effect impaired or even becomes ineffective or, in the worst case, tears, and the noise level proves to be annoying. Furthermore, it has been found that as the thickness or wall thickness increases, the noise level decreases, but the flexible wall section becomes more sluggish, possibly eventhe stroke also decreases, and as a result the effect of the flexible wall section is impaired until the flexible wall section is so severely restricted in its movement that the intended effect is no longer achieved. A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the ratio between the diameter of the initial cross-sectional area and the thickness or wall thickness of the flexible wall section covering the initial cross-sectional area is not less than 5, in particular not less than 10, preferably not less than 15, and / or not greater than 60, in particular not greater than 30, preferably not greater than 20. In this regard, too, it has been found that as the ratio between the diameter of the initial cross-sectional area and the thickness orAs the wall thickness of the flexible wall section increases, the stimulation effect increases, but at the same time not only does the flexible wall section become more unstable, but above all the noise level also increases, until the risk of the flexible wall section losing its elasticity, becoming "worn out", so to speak, and thus having its effect impaired or even becoming ineffective or, in the worst case, tearing, and the noise level becoming disturbing, increases significantly. Furthermore, it has been found that as the ratio decreases, although the noise level decreases, the flexible wall section becomes more sluggish, and possibly the stroke also decreases, thereby impairing the effect of the flexible wall section, until the flexible wall section's movement is so severely restricted that the intended effect is no longer achieved.In this context, the diameter usually defines the distance between two essentially opposite sidewall sections of the initial cross-sectional area. If the initial cross-sectional area is essentially circular, the usual definition from geometry applies to the diameter, according to which the diameter passes through the center of the circle and is twice the length of the radius.If, on the other hand, the shape of the initial cross-sectional area deviates from a circular shape, in particular by being elliptical or polygonal, the term “diameter” includes both the greatest distance between two opposite side wall sections and the smallest distance between two opposite side wall sections, such as, for example, in the case of an ellipse, the distance between the main vertices along the main axis and the distance between the secondary vertices along the secondary axis running at right angles to the main axis.A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the cavity has a first end and a second end opposite the first end and remote from the first end and is delimited by a side wall connecting its two ends to one another, in particular a substantially rigid side wall, and the first end has the initial cross-sectional area, wherein in a modification of this embodiment the initial cross-sectional area is oriented at an angle or substantially transversely with respect to an axis defined between the first end and the second end of the cavity.

[0015] Preferably, the medium influencing arrangement has a volume change element for changing the volume of the cavity.

[0016] A further development of the aforementioned embodiment is characterized in that the cavity is delimited by a wall, a section of the otherwise essentially rigid wall of the cavity is movable, the volume-changing element comprises this movable section of the wall of the cavity, and the drive device is designed to set this movable section of the wall of the cavity in a reciprocal movement. The aforementioned movable section of the wall is preferably a membrane that closes the inner end of the cavity.

[0017] In a further development of the above-mentioned embodiment, the said wall is formed by the side wall and the movable section of the wall is arranged at the second end of the cavity and preferably the second end of the cavity has an opening which is covered by the movable section of the wall and thereby closed.

[0018] An alternative development of the aforementioned embodiment is characterized in that the volume-changing element has a piston arranged for reciprocally movement within the cavity, and the drive device is designed to set the piston in reciprocating motion. In terms of its design and function, this development is similar, for example, to a bicycle pump or a piston engine. Preferably, the piston is reciprocally movable along a section of the cavity, wherein a cross-section of the cavity defined transversely to its length is preferably essentially unchanged or at least almost constant at least over the length of said section, and the piston has a corresponding cross-section, wherein the cavity preferably has the shape of a tube at least along said section.

[0019] Preferably, the cavity forms a single continuous chamber and thus a single-chamber arrangement.

[0020] Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity at its first end, which has the initial cross-sectional area, is preferably larger than the cross-sectional area at its inner second end, which is preferably acted upon by the medium-influencing arrangement. This allows a kind of amplification effect to be achieved in the pressure wave transmission to the flexible wall section covering the initial cross-sectional area.

[0021] An alternative embodiment is characterized in that the cavity comprises a first chamber, a second chamber having the initial cross-sectional area, and a connecting element connecting the first chamber to the second chamber. The medium-influencing arrangement is designed to act on the first chamber. This embodiment thus relates to a two-chamber arrangement, although arrangements with more than two chambers are also conceivable.

[0022] The reference pressure is preferably formed from the ambient air pressure.

[0023] The device can expediently be designed as a handheld device, preferably electrically operated with a battery.

[0024] Preferably, the flexible wall section covering the exit cross-sectional area can have no fixed connection to the side wall. This preferred embodiment thus allows a removable arrangement of the flexible wall section, allowing the exit cross-sectional area to be opened and the cavity behind it to be accessible, particularly for cleaning purposes.

[0025] A further preferred embodiment is characterized by an application body arranged on or in the housing in a removable or replaceable manner, which contains a recess that forms at least a portion of the cavity in the region of its initial cross-sectional area. According to this, the initial cross-sectional area and thus also the flexible wall section covering it are provided on the application body. Since the application body can be arranged on or in the housing in a removable or replaceable manner, this embodiment has the advantage of allowing differently designed flexible wall sections to be used for different applications by exchanging the application body.Likewise, this embodiment offers the flexibility of using, if required, an application body which differs in its construction from the solution according to the invention and thus brings about stimulation in a different constructive manner, instead of an application body with a flexible wall section covering the initial cross-sectional area.

[0026] In a further development of this embodiment, the recess in the application body is designed as an opening and preferably such an application body is designed as a nozzle.

[0027] Not only for hygienic reasons, but also to achieve an optimized transmission of the pressure waves to the body part to be stimulated, the application body should preferably be made of a flexible material, in particular silicone.

[0028] An alternative development is characterized in that at least one section of the cavity is circumferentially delimited by a, in particular rigid, side wall of a sleeve forming the application body, preferably made of a plastic, which is connected to the housing, in particular by an elastically latchable form fit, and has the initial cross-sectional area with the flexible wall section covering it, which is preferably formed in one piece and integrally with the side wall. Preferably, the wall thickness of the side wall is at least twice as thick as the wall thickness of the flexible wall section, preferably at least five times as thick, and / or the sleeve with the side wall and the flexible wall section is manufactured as a one-piece molded part in an injection molding process.

[0029] In order to achieve the desired hermetic sealing of the cavity from the environment, the cavity should preferably be closed, after which the cavity is not provided with any further openings and / or valves.

[0030] A further preferred embodiment is characterized by a compensating device for filling and emptying the cavity with a compressible or incompressible fluid medium or a mixture thereof having a specific mixing ratio. The compensating device preferably has a closable channel opening into the cavity, which is connected to a filling opening or a pressure equalization chamber. This embodiment offers the simple possibility of selectively using a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof with a specific mixing ratio to configure the pressure wave massage device with a desired maximum deflection of the flexible wall section covering the initial cross-sectional area and the resulting stimulation intensity.

[0031] According to a second aspect of the invention, an application body for a pressure wave massage device is proposed, wherein the application body can be removably arranged on or in the housing of the pressure wave massage device and contains a recess provided for receiving a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof with an output cross-sectional area for placement on a body part to be stimulated, characterized by a flexible wall section which covers the output cross-sectional area and thereby closes the recess and which, when a pressure field is generated from temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure in the medium located in the recess, is set into a reciprocal movement for mechanically acting on the body part to be stimulated.

[0032] According to a third aspect of the invention, a modular system is proposed for constructing a pressure wave massage device for the stimulation of body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, comprising a pressure field generating device which has a cavity with an initial cross-sectional area for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement acting on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity, which medium influencing arrangement is designed to generate a pressure field in the cavity consisting of temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement such that the pressure field is generated in the cavity, and a housing,which jointly contains the drive device and the pressure field generating device with the medium influencing arrangement and with at least a portion of the cavity, as well as an application body of a first type which is arranged on or in the housing in a removable or replaceable manner and which contains a recess which forms at least a portion of the cavity in the region of its exit cross-sectional area, which is designed as an application opening, for indirect stimulation of body parts by means of pressure waves, characterized by an application body of a second type which is arranged on or in the housing in a removable or replaceable manner and which contains a recess which forms at least a portion of the cavity in the region of its exit cross-sectional area, which is covered by a flexible wall section and thereby closed,wherein the flexible wall section is set into a reciprocal movement when the pressure field is generated in the cavity to mechanically act on the body part to be stimulated for its direct stimulation.

[0033] The aforementioned object is further achieved according to a fourth aspect of the invention by the use of a pressure wave massage device originally intended for indirect stimulation of body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, by means of pressure waves, comprising a pressure field generating device which has a cavity with an application opening for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement acting on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity, which medium influencing arrangement is designed to generate a pressure field in the cavity consisting of temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement such that the pressure field is generated in the cavity, and a housing,which jointly contains the drive device and the pressure field generating device with the medium influencing arrangement and with at least one section of the cavity, for direct stimulation of a body part to be stimulated, in that the application opening is covered and thereby closed by a flexible wall section, which, when the pressure field is generated in the cavity, is set into a reciprocal movement for mechanically acting on the body part to be stimulated.

[0034] In the following, exemplary embodiments from the prior art will be explained in more detail as comparative examples, followed by preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0035] Fig. 1 is a perspective side view of a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a first embodiment;

[0036] Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal section through the pressure wave massage device of Fig. 1;

[0037] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through a prior art

[0038] Pressure wave massage device according to a second embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an enlarged detail of a portion of a pressure field generating device and the cavity of a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a third embodiment;

[0039] Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a fourth embodiment;

[0040] Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section through a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a fifth embodiment;

[0041] Fig. 7 shows a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an individual view of an assembly formed by the drive device and the cavity of a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a sixth embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 8 shows a profile of the pressure waves of a medium, such as air, generated by a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to Figs. 1 to 7;

[0043] Fig. 9 shows schematically in a longitudinal section an enlarged detail of a part of an extension and a spout attached thereto with a membrane closing its opening and shown in a neutral position in a pressure wave massage device according to a preferred first embodiment of the invention;

[0044] Fig. 10 is a front view of the preferred first embodiment of the invention;

[0045] Fig. 11 is the same view as Fig. 9 with the membrane in a maximum outwardly deflected position (a) and in a maximum inwardly deflected position (b); Fig. 12 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of an enlarged section of the head region of a pressure wave massage device according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and

[0046] Fig. 13 shows schematically in a longitudinal section an enlarged section of the head region of a pressure wave massage device according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0047] The pressure wave massage device 1, shown in Figures 1 and 2 in a first exemplary embodiment and known from the prior art, has an elongated housing 2 with a first end section 2a, an opposite second end section 2b, and an intermediate middle section 2c. The housing is preferably made of plastic. As can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, the two end sections 2a and 2b are rounded and taper slightly towards the middle section 2c, which is somewhat slimmer. A projecting extension 4 extending transversely to the longitudinal extent of the housing 2 is formed on the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and, together with the first end section 2a of the housing 2, forms a head of the pressure wave massage device 1, while the second end section 2b of the housing 2 preferably serves as a handle for holding the pressure wave massage device 1 during use, which will be described in more detail below.

[0048] As shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2, a spout 6 is located on the extension 4. This spout contains an application opening, which can be seen in Figure 2 and is designated by the reference numeral "8." The spout 6 is preferably made of a soft or flexible plastic material, such as, in particular, a silicone material.

[0049] In the head of the pressure wave massage device 1, formed by the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and the extension 4, a pressure wave generating device 10 is housed, with the aid of which a stimulating pressure field or a stimulating reciprocal air flow is generated in the application opening 8. As can be seen in detail in Fig. 2, the pressure field generating device 10 has a cavity 12 with an outer first end, which simultaneously also forms the application opening 8 in the spout 6, and an inner second end opposite and remote from the first end. In the first embodiment shown, the cavity 12 is formed by a single continuous chamber 14 and delimited by a preferably essentially rigid inner or side wall connecting its two ends. As shown in Fig.2, the spout 6 has an outer section 6a, with which it is removably fastened to the extension 4, and an inner section 6b, wherein the outer section 6a and the inner section 6b of the spout 6 are connected to one another in the region of the application opening 8. The inner section 6b of the spout 6 is designed in the manner of a sleeve and delimits an outer section of the cavity 12 leading to its outer first end. The application opening 8 forms a plane which, in the illustrated embodiment, is aligned substantially transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 12, wherein in principle the alignment can alternatively also be oriented at a different angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the cavity 12.

[0050] As Fig. 2 further shows, according to the first exemplary embodiment, the cavity 12 is free of discontinuities, wherein the cross-section of the cavity 12, defined transversely to its length L between its two ends, is essentially constant over the entire length L between its two ends in the illustrated exemplary embodiment and only slightly widens towards the application opening 8, so that the opening cross-section of the application opening 8 also approximately corresponds to the cross-section of the cavity 12. The cavity 12 preferably has essentially the shape of a rotational body with a circular or elliptical cross-section; alternatively, however, it is also conceivable to provide the cavity 12 with a polygonal, preferably square or hexagonal, cross-section.Thus, the chamber 14 forms a continuous tube with a cross-section that remains constant almost over its entire length, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the cavity is oriented in the direction of its length L approximately transversely to the longitudinal extent of the housing 2.

[0051] Furthermore, the cavity 12 is closed at its inner second end with a flexible membrane 18, preferably made of silicone, which extends over the entire cross-section of the cavity 12 and is driven by a drive device 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive device 20 has a drive motor 22 as a rotary motor and a mechanism 22a. The mechanism 22a is designed such that the rotary movement of the output shaft 22b of the drive motor 22 is converted into a reciprocal longitudinal movement, whereby the membrane 18 is set in a movement transverse to the plane spanned by it, alternately in the direction towards the application opening 8 and in the opposite direction. In this way, the volume of the cavity 12 of the chamber 14 is changed depending on the rotation of the output shaft of the drive motor 22.Preferably, the mechanism 22a has an eccentric or a connecting rod to convert the rotational movement of the output shaft 22b of the drive motor 22 into a reciprocal longitudinal movement for the reciprocal deflection of the membrane 18. The reciprocal movement of the membrane 18 causes a change in the volume of the cavity 12 between a minimum volume and a maximum volume according to its stroke (amplitude), wherein the change occurs recurringly at a frequency.

[0052] As Fig. 2 also shows, the drive motor 22, which in the described embodiment is an electric motor, is connected via an electrical cable 24 to an electronic control circuit board 26, which controls the drive motor 22. A battery 30 is connected to the control circuit board 26 via an electrical cable 28, which supplies the drive motor 22 and the control circuit board 26 with the necessary electrical energy. The battery 30 can be either a non-rechargeable battery or a rechargeable accumulator.While in the illustrated embodiment, the drive motor 22 is located in the connecting area between the slender central section 2c of the housing 2 and the first end section 2a of the housing 2, and thus adjacent to the head of the pressure wave massage device 1 formed by the first end section 2a of the housing 2 and the extension 4, the battery 30 is arranged in the second end section 2b of the housing 2, whereby the housing 2 is well balanced when the pressure wave massage device 1 is held in the user's hand. As Figures 1 and 2 also show, a power button 32 is provided, which can be actuated from the outside of the housing 2 to switch the pressure wave massage device 1 on and off and is arranged in the slender central section 2c of the housing 2.Also located in the slender central section 2c of the housing 2 is an externally operable button 34, with which various operating states of the pressure wave massage device 1 can be set, and an externally visible control lamp 36, preferably designed as a light-emitting diode. The power button 32 and the button 34 are arranged directly on the control circuit board 26 mounted below the wall of the housing 2, while the control lamp 36 is connected to the control circuit board 26 via an electrical cable (not shown in the figures).

[0053] In addition to controlling the drive motor 22, in the illustrated embodiment, the electronic control circuit board 26 also manages the charging of the battery 30. For this purpose, the control circuit board 26 is connected via an electrical cable 38 to charging contacts 40, which are arranged on the front side of the second end section 2b of the housing 2 and are accessible from the outside, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2. An external charger (not shown in the figures) can be connected to these charging contacts 40 via a plug with magnetic plug contacts, which can be brought into contact with the charging contacts 40 due to magnetic forces to establish an electrical connection.

[0054] The described pressure wave massage device 1 is designed as a handheld device and, for application, is placed with the nozzle 6 on a body part (not shown in the figures) to be stimulated in such a way that it is essentially enclosed by the nozzle 6 in the area of ​​the application opening 8. During operation of the pressure wave massage device 1, the body part to be stimulated is then alternately exposed to different air pressures or a reciprocal air flow through the reciprocal movement of the membrane 18.

[0055] The control circuit board 26 preferably has a memory (not shown in the figures) in which various modulation patterns are stored. By operating the button 34 accordingly, a desired modulation pattern can be selected in order to then control the drive motor 22 accordingly.

[0056] Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section of a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a second exemplary embodiment. While the previously described first exemplary embodiment has a so-called single-chamber arrangement, the second exemplary embodiment utilizes a dual-chamber arrangement. Except for the different design of the cavity 12, the second exemplary embodiment does not differ from the first exemplary embodiment, so that the same components are identified by the same reference numerals. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0057] As can be seen from Fig. 3, the cavity 12 is formed not only by a first chamber 14, but also by a second chamber 15 and a channel 16 connecting the two chambers 14, 15, so that the channel 16 takes on the function of a connecting element between the two chambers 14, 15. The first chamber 14 is provided as the inner chamber and the second chamber 15 as the outer chamber. The outer second chamber 15 ends at the outer first end 12a of the cavity 12 and thus at the application opening 8, which thus forms the outer end of the second chamber 15. The first chamber 14 ends inside the stimulation device 1 at the inner end 12b of the cavity 12, which thus also forms the inner end of the first chamber 14.

[0058] In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 16 forms a point of discontinuity with respect to the two chambers 14, 15. Accordingly, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 16 at its opening pointing into the first chamber 14, which is not identified in detail in Fig. 3, is only a fraction of the cross-sectional area of ​​the first end of the first chamber 14 adjacent to the channel 16. Likewise, the cross-sectional area of ​​the channel 16 at its opening opening into the second chamber 15, which is also not identified in detail in Fig. 3, is a fraction of the cross-sectional area of ​​the second end of the second chamber 15 adjacent to the channel 16.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the channel 16 has a cross-sectional area that is essentially constant over its entire length between the two chambers 14, 15, although it is also conceivable in principle to provide the channel 16 with a cross-sectional area that changes over its length.

[0060] Likewise, in the illustrated embodiment, the channel 16 is designed to be straight and rigid, the opening of the channel 16 leading into the second chamber 15 is opposite the application opening 8 and the channel 16 is directed towards the application opening 8.

[0061] As can also be seen from Fig. 3, the cavity 12 is closed at its inner end 12b and thus the inner first chamber 14 at its inner end, as in the first exemplary embodiment, with the flexible membrane 18, which extends over the entire cross-section of the inner second end 12b of the cavity 12 and thus the inner end of the inner first chamber 14 and is driven by the drive motor 22 via the mechanism 22a. The reciprocal movement of the membrane 18 changes the volume of the first chamber 14 in such a way that a pressure field of alternating maximum and minimum pressures or a reciprocal air flow is generated via the channel 16 in the second chamber 15 and thus at the application opening 8, wherein the channel 16 exerts a nozzle effect directed towards the application opening 8 and thus the body part to be stimulated.

[0062] Fig. 4 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a section of the cavity of a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a third embodiment. This third embodiment differs from the two previously described embodiments in that, instead of a flexible membrane closing the inner end of the chamber 14, a piston 50 is arranged for reciprocating movement within the cavity 12. The remaining components are implemented in the same way as in the first or second embodiments. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding, related description. The piston 50 is set in reciprocating motion by the drive motor 22 via the mechanism 22a (similar to the flexible membrane 18 in the first or second embodiments), specifically along a section 12c of the cavity 12.The cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity 12, defined transversely to its length, is essentially unchanged or at least nearly constant in terms of its size and shape over the length of said section 12c, and the piston 50 has a corresponding cross-sectional area. For this purpose, in the illustrated embodiment, said section 12c of the cavity 12 has the shape of a tube. The third embodiment is similar in design and function to, for example, a bicycle pump or a piston engine. The reciprocal movement of the piston 50 generates a pressure field with correspondingly varying pressures or a reciprocal air flow at the application opening.

[0063] Fig. 5 shows a longitudinal section of a pressure wave massage device according to a fourth embodiment known from the prior art, which differs from the first embodiment according to Fig. 2 in the design of the drive device 20 described in more detail below. Except for the different construction of the drive device 20, the fourth embodiment does not differ from the first embodiment, so that the same components are identified by the same reference numerals, and in this regard, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description of the first embodiment.

[0064] In the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the drive device 20 is designed as an electromagnetically operated linear drive. For this purpose, the drive device 20 in the illustrated embodiment has two stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b, each designed as a cylindrical coil and arranged one behind the other in a coaxial direction. The arrangement of the two stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b contains a central cavity 21c that is open at both ends and is enclosed and thus delimited by a circumferential inner wall 21d. In the illustrated embodiment, the cavity 21c enclosed by the inner wall 21d has the shape of a tube, which is preferably designed as a cylinder. A magnetic or magnetizable core 21e is arranged within the cavity 21c for reciprocally movement in the coaxial direction.The cross-sectional area of ​​this cavity 21c, defined transversely to its length, is essentially unchanged or at least almost constant in terms of its size and shape, and the core 21e has a corresponding cross-sectional area.

[0065] The core 21e, in turn, is coupled to the membrane 18. In Fig. 5, the core 21e and the membrane 18 are shown in their centered position. The two stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b are controlled and excited such that the core 21e arranged within the arrangement of the two stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b is set into a reciprocal movement, which is correspondingly transmitted to the membrane 18. As Fig. 5 further shows, the stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b are connected via the electrical cables 24 to the control circuit board 26, which controls and excites the stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b accordingly. In the illustrated embodiment, the core 21e is not provided with an electromagnetic coil, but consists of a solid body made of magnetic or magnetizable material such as rare earths.

[0066] To limit the stroke of the reciprocally moving core 21e, end magnets 23a, 23b are provided at both ends of the arrangement of stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b. The mutually facing ends of the core 21e and the end magnets 23a, 23b have the same magnetic polarity. This results in a repulsive force generated by the end magnets 23a, 23b acting on the core 21e, which increases as the core 21e approaches. As a result, the core 21e is decelerated by the electromagnets 23a, 23b until it is subjected to an opposite movement. The end magnets 23a, 23b thus act as magnetic impact elements. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to provide mechanical impact elements which are designed as stops against which the core 21e comes into contact and is thereby stopped in its further movement.

[0067] Fig. 6 shows a longitudinal section through a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a fifth exemplary embodiment. While the previously described fourth exemplary embodiment has a so-called single-chamber arrangement, the fifth exemplary embodiment utilizes a dual-chamber arrangement, in the same way as the second exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 6, the same components are identified by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 2 and 5, and in this regard, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description of the second and fourth exemplary embodiments.

[0068] Fig. 7 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a single view of an assembly formed jointly by the drive device 20 and the cavity 12 of a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art according to a sixth exemplary embodiment, which differs from the previously described fourth embodiment according to Fig. 5 in that instead of a flexible membrane closing the inner end of the chamber 14, the reciprocally moved core 21 e of the drive device 20 itself takes over the change in the volume of the chamber 14 formed by the cavity 12, while the other components are implemented in the same way in the fourth exemplary embodiment, so that in this regard, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description of the fourth exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 5. As Fig.As can also be seen in Figure 7, the inner wall 21d, which in the region of the arrangement of the two stationary electromagnetic coil elements 21a, 21b encloses the cavity 21c formed centrally there and accommodating the core 21e, is aligned with the inner wall 14a of the chamber 14 formed by the cavity 12. Thus, the cavity 21c accommodating the reciprocally moving core 21e and the cavity 12 form a structural unit. Like the third embodiment, this sixth embodiment is similar in terms of its construction and function to, for example, a bicycle pump or a piston engine. The reciprocal movement of the core 21e thus generates a pressure field with correspondingly varying pressures or a reciprocal air flow at the application opening 8.

[0069] It should also be noted that, as a further modification, the two-chamber arrangement according to the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 6 can also be applied to the design of the cavity 12 in the sixth embodiment shown in Fig. 7, in that the cavity 12 does not consist of a single chamber, but, as in the fifth embodiment, is formed by a first chamber, a second chamber, and a channel connecting the two chambers. However, such a further embodiment is not shown in the figures.

[0070] Furthermore, other types of drive are also conceivable, which cause a deflection of the flexible membrane 18 according to Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6 or of the piston 50 according to Figure 4 to change the volume of the cavity 12. This can also be done, for example, piezoelectrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically.

[0071] Finally, other design solutions are also conceivable for the volume change of the cavity 12, such as, for example, making the side wall of the cavity 12 flexible at least in sections instead of a membrane and alternately compressing and expanding the cavity at least at this point by applying external force. This alternative solution is also not depicted in the figures.

[0072] In the application, a distinction is made in particular between a sealed operation and an open operation, which generally applies to a pressure wave massage device of the type in question known from the prior art and thus equally to the previously described embodiments.

[0073] During sealed operation, the nozzle 6 is placed on the body part to be stimulated in such a way that no air exchange with the environment occurs. In this operating state, the movement of the membrane 18 according to Figures 2, 3, 5, and 6, the piston 50 according to Figure 4, and the core 21e according to Figure 7 generates temporally, preferably periodically, varying pressure waves that act throughout the entire cavity 12. The pressure waves are essentially isotropic and thus also act on the first body part to be stimulated. There is essentially no air flow.

[0074] Open operation is characterized by the fact that an exchange of air with the environment occurs. In this operating state, the nozzle 6 is placed on the body part to be stimulated in such a way that the application opening 8 only partially encloses the body part to be stimulated, and at least a gap-like space remains between at least a portion of the application opening 8 and at least a portion of the body part to be stimulated, allowing air to escape from the cavity 12 into the environment. Likewise, in this operating state, air can be drawn from the environment into the cavity 12, ensuring a regular air exchange.

[0075] The pressure waves generated at the application opening 8, which form a pressure field of temporally alternating minimum and maximum pressures with respect to a reference pressure, preferably air pressure, or the reciprocal air flow generated at the application opening 8, have a wave-like profile which ideally corresponds to a sine curve, as shown in Fig. 8. The wave-like profile is characterized by an amplitude which is determined by the stroke of the flexible membrane 18 according to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, of the piston 50 according to Fig. 4 and of the core 21e according to Fig. 7, as well as by a frequency which is determined by the rate of change of the reciprocal movement of the flexible membrane 18 according to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, of the piston 50 according to Fig. 4 and of the core 21e according to Fig. 7.

[0076] The pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art, which have been described above using various exemplary embodiments, belong to the category of indirectly acting stimulation devices. With indirect stimulation, the body parts to be stimulated are stimulated without direct contact, but rather with the aid of the previously mentioned pressure waves (in sealed operation) or the reciprocally oscillating air flows (in open operation) at the application opening 8. In contrast, the pressure wave massage device according to the invention is sealed at its application opening 8 with a so-called application membrane 60, as shown schematically in Figures 9 and 10.For this purpose, in the preferred embodiments depicted in Figures 9 to 13, a nozzle 6' is used which differs from the nozzle 6 of the previously described conventional pressure wave massage devices in that the application opening 8, into which the outer section of the cavity 12 opens, and thus the outer section of the cavity 12, is closed by the application membrane 60, but otherwise has the same or a similar structure to the nozzle 6 of the previously described conventional pressure wave massage devices. In contrast, the remaining components are implemented in the same way as in the pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art according to the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 1 to 8, so that in this regard, to avoid repetition, reference is made to the preceding description of the embodiments according to Figures 1 to 8.

[0077] In the embodiment of the invention depicted in Figures 9 and 10, the application membrane 60 encloses the cavity 12 in itself and thus hermetically seals it off from the environment. This means that the pressure field generating device can only operate in a sealed mode, after which only pressure waves of the medium contained in the cavity 12 that vary over time, preferably periodically and are essentially isotropic, occur in the entire cavity. Any type of compressible or incompressible fluid can be used as the medium, which can therefore be gaseous or liquid or a mixture of a gas, preferably air, and a liquid, preferably water. Since the cavity 12 is self-contained, in contrast to the pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art, a liquid or a mixture of liquid and gas is particularly suitable as the medium.

[0078] The pressure waves act on the application membrane 60 and set it in an oscillating motion, which thus follows the wave-like course shown in Fig. 8 and corresponding to the pressure waves. This causes the application membrane to oscillate around a neutral position, in which it is shown in Fig. 9, between a position shown in Fig. 11a with its maximum outward deflection, which can be referred to as the maximum overpressure deflection, and a position shown in Fig. 11b with its maximum inward deflection, which is referred to as the maximum negative pressure deflection. Accordingly, in the overpressure phases, the application membrane 60 is pushed outwards into its maximum overpressure deflection according to Fig. 11a, and in the negative pressure phases, it is sucked inwards into its maximum negative pressure deflection according to Fig. 11b.

[0079] According to the invention, the body parts to be stimulated are no longer exposed to pressure waves or air currents—since these are "shielded" by the application membrane 60—but rather to the application membrane 60. Instead of indirect stimulation as with the pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art, direct stimulation now takes place through the immediate mechanical impact of the oscillating application membrane 60 on the body parts to be stimulated.

[0080] The area of ​​the cavity 12 acting on the body part to be stimulated is also referred to as the output cross-sectional area. While this output cross-sectional area is defined by the application opening 8, which allows the pressure waves or air flows to pass through, in the pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art and designed for indirect stimulation, the output cross-sectional area in the pressure wave massage device designed according to the invention as shown in Figures 9 to 11 is covered or formed by the application membrane 60, and the application membrane 60 closes an opening that is provided as the application opening 8 in the pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art, as described above in particular with reference to various exemplary embodiments.

[0081] In the illustrated embodiment, the application membrane 60 is elastic and prestressed into a flat position in the neutral position shown in Fig. 9. Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment according to Fig. 10, the application membrane 60 has a substantially round shape, which is determined by the nozzle 6 and its original application opening 8. The application membrane 60 is expediently made of, in particular, medical-grade silicone material or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Preferably, the thickness or wall thickness of the application membrane 60 is not less than 0.2 mm, in particular not less than 0.4 mm, preferably not less than 0.6 mm, and / or not greater than 2 mm, in particular not greater than 1 mm, preferably not greater than 0.8 mm, wherein in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the thickness or wall thickness of the application membrane 60 can be approximately 0.6 mm.Furthermore, the application opening 8 closed by the application membrane 60 preferably has a round shape, in particular substantially a circular shape, and its diameter preferably lies in a range between 8 mm and 14 mm, preferably between 10 mm and 12 mm. The ratio between the diameter of the application opening 8 and the wall thickness of the application membrane 60 covering and closing the application opening 8 is preferably not less than 5 and / or not greater than 60, preferably not less than 10 and / or not greater than 30, in particular not less than 15 and / or not greater than 20.

[0082] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the application membrane 60 is formed integrally with the nozzle 6', which is thus provided as an application body.

[0083] If the nozzle 6' is designed such that it can be removably attached to the extension 4, this configuration has the advantage of being able to optionally use a conventional nozzle 6 with an open application opening 8 or a nozzle 6' according to the invention with an application membrane 60 closing the application opening 8. Thus, the pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art, as described above in particular with reference to various exemplary embodiments, can be used, as required, either in the conventional manner for indirect stimulation or in the inventive manner for direct stimulation. This opens up the further advantageous possibility of offering such pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art as a package, so to speak, with a conventional nozzle 6 and a nozzle 6' according to the invention.Accordingly, with the illustrated embodiments, it is particularly possible, using one and the same housing 2, which constitutes the vast majority of the pressure wave massage device, to perform either indirect stimulation with the aid of pressure waves or reciprocally oscillating air currents or, alternatively, direct stimulation through direct mechanical application of the body part to be stimulated. For this purpose, the appropriate nozzle is simply selected or the nozzle is replaced accordingly. For indirect stimulation through the application of pressure waves or reciprocally oscillating air currents, the nozzle 6 with the open application opening 8 is used, while for direct stimulation through direct mechanical application of the stimulating body part, the nozzle 6' with the application membrane 60 closing the original application opening 8 is used.In this way, a modular system for constructing a pressure wave massage device can be realized. In addition to the housing 2, which contains virtually all components, particularly the pressure field generating device 10, the drive device 20, the control circuit board 26, and the battery 30, and thus largely constitutes the pressure wave massage device, it also includes both a nozzle 6 for indirect stimulation and a nozzle 6' for direct stimulation. Since only the nozzle needs to be changed to switch between indirect stimulation and direct stimulation, this modular system offers the advantage of marketing the pressure wave massage device as a set with two different nozzles 6 and 6'.

[0084] Of course, the nozzle 6' provided with the application membrane 60 according to the invention can also be provided as a replacement part for replacing a conventional nozzle 6 with an open application opening 8 on a pressure wave massage device known from the prior art.

[0085] Instead of a grommet 6', it is also conceivable, for example, to provide a sleeve, preferably made of a plastic, with a particularly rigid side wall that circumferentially delimits at least a portion of the cavity 12. Such a sleeve is connected to the housing 2, particularly removably by an elastically latchable form fit, and has an initial cross-sectional area covered by an application membrane of the type described above, which is preferably formed in one piece and integrally with the side wall. The wall thickness of the side wall should expediently be at least twice, preferably at least five times, as thick as the wall thickness of the application membrane. Furthermore, the sleeve with the side wall and the application membrane 60 can preferably be manufactured as a one-piece molded part in an injection molding process.For the sake of completeness, it should be noted at this point that this alternative embodiment is not shown in the figures, whereby the sleeve mentioned forms a so-called application body in the same way as the previously described nozzle.

[0086] If the medium in the cavity 12 is a gas - in particular air, as is usually the case with pressure wave massage devices known from the prior art - the compressibility of such a medium can lead to the phenomenon that the amplitude of the pressure waves decreases on the way to the application membrane 60. As a result, the amplitude of the deflection of the application membrane 60 is reduced compared to the amplitude generated by the pressure field generating device 10, which is determined, for example, by the stroke of the flexible membrane 18 according to Figures 2, 3, 5 and 6, of the piston 50 according to Figure 4 and of the core 21e according to Figure 7. This phenomenon, however, does not occur when using a liquid medium such as water, since this is an essentially incompressible fluid that transmits the pressure waves to the application membrane 60 without at least noticeable damping of the amplitude.

[0087] The optional use of gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof with a specific mixing ratio can be easily used to configure the pressure wave massage device with a desired maximum deflection of the application membrane 60 and the resulting stimulation intensity. For this purpose, a compensating device can be provided, as used, for example, in the exemplary embodiment of the invention depicted in Fig. 12, which otherwise corresponds to the design of the first exemplary embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 2. The compensating device is formed by a channel 62 that communicates with the cavity 12 and ends in a filling opening 64 in the side wall of the housing 2, where it can be closed from the outside by a closing element 66.To fill the cavity 12 with a medium of the desired consistency, as previously mentioned, through the filling opening 64 and the channel 62, the closing element 66 is opened. During operation, however, the filling opening 64 remains closed by the closing element 66 to prevent unintentional escape of the medium from the cavity 12 through the channel 62.

[0088] In the further exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 13, which also otherwise corresponds to the construction of the first exemplary embodiment described above with reference to Fig. 2, a compensation device is also provided, which likewise has a channel 62 opening into the cavity 12. In this case, however, the channel 62 establishes a connection with a pressure compensation chamber 68 arranged within the housing 2. In this embodiment, the principle of pressure compensation is therefore used, as is also known from heating systems. As Fig. 13 also schematically shows, a valve 70 is located in the channel 62, by means of which the channel 62 can be optionally fully opened or closed or partially opened in order to be able to specifically influence the amplitude of the pressure waves.

[0089] In this context, for the sake of completeness, it should be noted that the embodiments according to Figures 12 and 13 can of course also be implemented in pressure wave massage devices according to the embodiments previously described with reference to Figures 3 to 7.

[0090] Otherwise, the cavity 12 remains closed to the environment, so that, in other words, no further valves or openings are present. This also applies to the embodiments shown in Figures 12 and 13, since during operation, in the embodiment according to Figure 12, the channel 62 is closed by the closing element 66, and in the embodiment according to Figure 13, the cavity 12 forms a closed system with the channel 62 and the pressure equalization chamber 68.

Claims

Claims Pressure wave massage device for body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, with a pressure field generating device (10) which has a cavity (12) with an initial cross-sectional area (8) for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e; ​​50) which acts on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity (12) and is designed to generate in the cavity (12) a pressure field of temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device (20) which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e; ​​50) in such a way that the pressure field is generated in the cavity (12), and a housing (2) which jointly houses the drive device (20) and the pressure field generating device (10) with the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e;50) and at least one section of the cavity (12), characterized by a flexible wall section (60) which covers the initial cross-sectional area (8) and thereby closes the cavity (12) and which, when the pressure field is generated in the cavity (12), is set into a reciprocal movement for mechanically loading the body part to be stimulated. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 1, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) assumes a neutral position in the absence of the pressure field and, when the pressure field is generated in the cavity (12), is set into a reciprocal movement around the neutral position with respect to the cavity (12) outwards and inwards. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) is elastic and is preferably pretensioned into a flat position in the manner of a tensioned membrane.

4. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) is designed in the manner of a membrane closing the cavity (12) or as such a membrane.

5. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the output cross-sectional area (8) and / or the flexible wall section (60) has a substantially round shape.

6. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) comprises flexible material.

7. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible material is a, in particular medical, silicone material or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

8. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the flexible material has a Shore hardness in a range from Shore 5 to Shore 50.

9. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall thickness of the flexible wall section (60) is not less than 0.2 mm, in particular not less than 0.4 mm, preferably not less than 0.6 mm, and / or not greater than 2 mm, in particular not greater than 1 mm, preferably not greater than 0.8 mm.

10. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio between the diameter of the initial cross-sectional area (8) and the wall thickness of the the flexible wall section (60) covering the initial cross-sectional area (8) is not smaller than 5, in particular not smaller than 10, preferably not smaller than 15, and / or not larger than 60, in particular not larger than 30, preferably not larger than 20.

11. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity has a first end (12a) and a second end (12b) opposite the first end (12a) and remote from the first end (12a) and is delimited by a side wall connecting its two ends (12a, 12b), in particular a substantially rigid side wall, and the first end (12a) has the initial cross-sectional area (8).

12. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 11, characterized in that the output cross-sectional area (8) is oriented at an angle or substantially transversely with respect to an axis defined between the first end (12a) and the second end (12b) of the cavity (12).

13. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e; ​​50) has a volume changing element for changing the volume of the cavity (12).

14. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 13, characterized in that the cavity (12) is delimited by a wall, a section (18) of the otherwise substantially rigid wall of the cavity (12) is movable, the volume change element has this movable section (18) of the wall of the cavity (12) and the drive device (20) is designed to set this movable section (18) of the wall of the cavity (12) in a reciprocal movement. Pressure wave massage device according to claims 12 and 14, characterized in that the wall is formed by the side wall and the movable section (18) of the wall is arranged at the second end (12b) of the cavity (12), and preferably the second end (12b) of the cavity (12) has an opening that is covered by the movable section (18) of the wall and thereby closed. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 15, characterized in that the volume-changing element has a piston (50) arranged for reciprocally movement within the cavity (12), and the drive device (20) is designed to set the piston (21 e; 50) in a reciprocating movement.Pressure wave massage device according to claim 16, characterized in that the piston (21e; 50) is reciprocally movable along a section (12c) of the cavity (12), wherein a cross-section of the cavity (12) defined transversely to its length is preferably substantially unchanged or at least nearly constant at least over the length of said section, and the piston (21e; 50) has a corresponding cross-section, wherein the cavity (12) preferably has the shape of a tube at least along said section (12c). Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (12) forms a single continuous chamber (14). Pressure wave massage device according to claims 11 and 18, characterized in that the cross-sectional area of ​​the cavity at its first end (12a) is larger than the cross-sectional area at its second end (12b).Pressure wave massage device according to one of claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the cavity (12) has a first chamber (14), a second chamber (15). A pressure wave massage device according to claim 1, wherein the pressure wave massage device comprises a second chamber (15) having an output cross-sectional area and a connecting element (16) connecting the first chamber (14) to the second chamber (15), the medium influencing arrangement (18, 21e; ​​50) being designed such that it acts on the first chamber (14). Pressure wave massage device according to claim 1, wherein the reference pressure is the ambient air pressure. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 1, wherein the device is a handheld device, preferably electrically operated with a battery (30). Pressure wave massage device according to claim 1, characterized by an application body (6) arranged on or in the housing (2) in a removable or replaceable manner, which contains a recess that forms at least a portion of the cavity (12) in the region of its output cross-sectional area (8).Pressure wave massage device according to claim 23, characterized in that the recess is designed as an opening. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 24, characterized in that the application body (6) is designed as a nozzle. Pressure wave massage device according to one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that the application body (6) comprises a substantially flexible material, in particular silicone. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 11 and at least one of claims 12 to 26, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) covering the initial cross-sectional area (8) has no fixed connection to the side wall. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that at least a portion of the cavity is circumferentially delimited by a, in particular rigid, side wall of a sleeve forming the application body, preferably made of a plastic, which is connected to the housing, in particular by an elastically latchable form fit, and has the initial cross-sectional area with the flexible wall section covering it, which is preferably formed in one piece and integrally with the side wall. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 28, characterized in that the wall thickness of the side wall is at least twice as thick as the wall thickness of the flexible wall section, preferably at least five times as thick. Pressure wave massage device according to claim 28 or 29, characterized in that the sleeve with the side wall and the flexible wall section is manufactured as a one-piece molded part in an injection molding process.Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cavity (12) is closed. Pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by a compensating device for filling and emptying the cavity (12) with a compressible or incompressible fluid medium or a mixture thereof having a specific mixing ratio, wherein the compensating device preferably has a closable channel (62) opening into the cavity (12) and communicating with a filling opening (64) or a pressure compensation chamber (68). Application body for a pressure wave massage device according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the application body (6). can be removably arranged on or in the housing (2) of the pressure wave massage device (1) and contains a recess provided for receiving a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof, with an output cross-sectional area (8) for placement on a body part to be stimulated, characterized by a flexible wall section (60) which covers the output cross-sectional area (8) and thereby closes the recess and which, when a pressure field is generated from temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure in the medium located in the recess, is set into a reciprocal movement for mechanically acting on the body part to be stimulated.

34. Application body according to claim 33, which is designed according to one of claims 23 to 26 and 28 to 30.

35. Application body according to claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) is designed according to at least one of claims 2 to 10.

36. Modular system for constructing a pressure wave massage device (1) for the stimulation of body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, with a pressure field generating device (10) which has a cavity (12) with an initial cross-sectional area (8) for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e; ​​50) acting on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity (12), which is designed to generate in the cavity (12) a pressure field of temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device (20) which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e; ​​50) such that the pressure field is generated in the cavity (12), and a housing (2) which together contains the drive device (20) and the pressure field generating device (10) with the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21 e; 50) and with at least a section of the hollow space (12), and an application body (6) of a first type which is arranged on or in the housing (2) in a removable or exchangeable manner and which contains a recess which forms at least a section of the hollow space (12) in the region of its output cross-sectional area (8), which is designed as an application opening, for an indirect stimulation of body parts by means of pressure waves, characterized by a pressure wave generator (10) which is arranged on or in the housing (2) in place of the application body (6) of the first type.an interchangeably arranged application body (6') of a second type, which contains a recess that forms at least a portion of the cavity (12) in the region of its initial cross-sectional area (8), which is covered and thereby closed by a flexible wall portion (60), wherein the flexible wall portion (60) is set into a reciprocal movement upon generation of the pressure field in the cavity (12) for mechanically loading the body part to be stimulated for its direct stimulation. Modular system according to claim 36, characterized in that the pressure field generating device (10) of the pressure wave massage device (1) is designed according to at least one of claims 13 to 21. Modular system according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the application body (6) of the first type and / or the application body (6') of the second type is designed according to at least one of claims 23 to 26 and 28 to 30.

39. Modular system according to at least one of claims 36 to 38, characterized in that the flexible wall section (60) of the application body (6') of the second type is designed according to at least one of claims 2 to 10.

40. Modular system according to at least one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that the pressure wave massage device is designed according to one of claims 11, 12, 22, 27, 31 and 32.

41. Use of a pressure wave massage device (1) originally intended for indirect stimulation of body parts, in particular erogenous zones such as the clitoris, by means of pressure waves, with a pressure field generating device (10) which has a cavity (12) with an application opening (8) for placement on a body part to be stimulated and a medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e; ​​50) acting on a gaseous or liquid medium or a mixture thereof located in the cavity (12), which is designed to generate in the cavity (12) a pressure field of temporally alternating negative pressures and positive pressures with respect to a reference pressure, a drive device (20) which is designed to drive the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21e;50) in such a way that the pressure field is generated in the cavity (12), and a housing (2) which jointly contains the drive device (20) and the pressure field generating device (10) with the medium influencing arrangement (18; 21 e; 50) and with at least a section of the cavity (12), for a direct stimulation of a body part to be stimulated, in that the application opening (8) is covered and thereby closed by a flexible wall section (60) which, when the pressure field is generated in the cavity (12), is set in a reciprocal movement for the mechanical loading of the body part to be stimulated. Use of a pressure wave massage device according to claim 41, wherein the pressure wave massage device is designed according to one of claims 2 to 32.

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