Interchangeable Applicator Head for Shock Wave Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shock wave applicators require the entire hand-held apparatus and connecting cable to be replaced when parts subject to wear, such as electrode tips and fluid medium, necessitating significant storage, transportation, and shipping costs, as well as the need for specialized tools.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable applicator head design that is electrically and mechanically detachable from the hand-held apparatus, allowing for easy replacement and storage of different applicator heads with various geometries and power values, reducing the need to replace the entire system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the entire hand-held apparatus and connecting cable are replaced when parts subject to wear need replacement, then reliable electrical connections and mechanical integrity are maintained, but storage, transportation, and shipping costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-held apparatus is divided into modular components: a reusable main body and replaceable applicator heads. The applicator head contains the wear-prone parts (electrode tips, fluid medium, membrane), while the main body contains the electrical connection components. This segmentation allows replacement of only the necessary parts rather than the entire apparatus, reducing storage and shipping costs while maintaining electrical connection reliability through the reusable main body.
2Reliability
If the entire hand-held apparatus is replaced when electrode tips wear out, then electrical connection reliability is ensured, but the weight and space required for storage and transport increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into a heavy main body (containing electrical connections, power supply, control electronics) and lightweight applicator heads (containing only electrode tips, fluid, and membrane). When electrode tips wear, only the lightweight applicator head needs replacement, not the heavy main body. This dramatically reduces transport weight and storage space requirements while the reusable main body ensures electrical connection reliability remains intact.
3Reliability
If conventional screw, crimp, or solder connections are used to connect the applicator head to the hand-held apparatus, then reliable electrical connections are achieved, but the replacement process requires special tools and becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical electrical connections (screws, crimps, solders) with a simplified plug-and-socket interface. The applicator head incorporates contactless power transfer technology (electromagnetic induction or capacitive coupling) that eliminates the need for direct electrical contacts requiring special tools for assembly/disassembly. This allows users to replace applicator heads quickly without special tools while maintaining reliable power and signal transmission through the non-contact interface.
4Reliability
If the applicator head is permanently connected to the hand-held apparatus, then electrical connections remain stable, but replacement of wear-prone parts becomes time-consuming and requires detaching the entire apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator head is designed as a separable module that can be quickly detached and replaced on the hand-held apparatus. The interface incorporates rapid-connect mechanisms for both mechanical and electrical connections, allowing the applicator head to be swapped in seconds without detaching the entire apparatus. This modular segmentation enables frequent replacement of wear-prone parts while maintaining stable electrical connections through the reusable main body's standardized interface.
5Adaptability or versatility
If different applicator heads with various geometries and power values are used for different therapeutic applications, then treatment versatility is improved, but storage space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-held apparatus main body is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate multiple different applicator heads through a standardized interface. Each applicator head is optimized for specific therapeutic applications (different geometries, power values, focal points), but all connect to the same main body. This universality allows a single main body to support multiple specialized applicator heads, improving therapeutic versatility while minimizing storage space by only needing to store the compact applicator heads rather than entire separate apparatus for each application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design minimizes storage and shipping costs, reduces weight, and allows for quick and tool-free replacement of worn parts, while maintaining reliable electrical connections and preventing fluid leakage, facilitating efficient use across different therapeutic applications.
Implementation Method 1
two electrode tips for producing a spark gap, and a membrane, which together with the reflection or focusing mechanism encloses a fluid medium that is designed to generate a plasma when a voltage between about 1 kV and about 30 kV is applied
Implementation Method 2
The device has an interchangeable applicator head, thereby making it simpler to replace the applicator head and the parts subject to wear contained in the head... designed to generate electrohydraulic shock waves
Implementation Method 3
The applicator head comprises a reflection or focusing mechanism... Shock waves are used in human and veterinary medicine for various purposes
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a device for generating shock waves that includes an interchangeable applicator head for generating shock waves for treatment of human or animal bodies, which applicator head includes a reflection or focusing mechanism, two electrode tips for producing a spark gap, and a membrane, which together with the reflection or focusing mechanism encloses a fluid medium that is designed to generate a plasma when a voltage between 1 kV and 30 kV is applied. According to the disclosure, the applicator head is electrically and mechanically connected to a hand-held apparatus in a detachable manner.