Shock Wave Device With Reflector For Focused Energy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The generation of focused shock waves is costly and prone to failure due to the high voltage required, making it inefficient for medical applications.

Innovation Solution

A device with a plunger driven by a projectile, surrounded by a reflector, generates shock waves with the plunger's conical end facing the outlet opening, allowing for the reflection and focusing of shock waves without high energy expenditure, using a pneumatic drive or other energy sources like compressed air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If high voltage is used to generate focused shock waves, then the energy density at the focal point is improved, but the cost and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic high voltage generation system with a mechanical ballistic system. A projectile is accelerated by compressed air along a guide tube and impacts a plunger, which generates shock waves. This mechanical substitution eliminates the need for high voltage electronics, thereby improving reliability while maintaining energy density through the focused impact mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses compressed air (pneumatics) to accelerate the projectile along the guide tube. The pneumatic system provides a reliable and controllable means of delivering mechanical energy to the plunger, replacing the unreliable high voltage electromagnetic system while maintaining the ability to generate high energy density shock waves at the focal point

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

2Use of energy by moving object

If high voltage is used to generate focused shock waves, then the energy density at the focal point is improved, but the cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive electromagnetic high voltage generation equipment with a simpler mechanical ballistic system using compressed air and a projectile. This substitution dramatically reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the ability to generate high energy density shock waves through the focused mechanical impact on the plunger

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a projectile that can be simple, inexpensive, and potentially disposable. The projectile is accelerated by compressed air and impacts the plunger to generate shock waves. Using simple, cheap projectiles eliminates the need for expensive electromagnetic components, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining energy density

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of manufacture

If radial shock waves are generated using compressed air, then the cost is reduced, but the energy density at depth deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the shock wave generation process into distinct functional components: a projectile for energy delivery, a plunger for shock wave generation, and a reflector for focusing. This segmentation allows the use of compressed air (low cost) while achieving focused energy delivery through the coordinated action of these components, thereby maintaining both cost-effectiveness and energy density at depth

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflector component that focuses the radially propagating shock waves from the plunger into a concentrated beam. This adds a spatial dimension to the energy delivery, transforming the radial spread into a focused trajectory that maintains high energy density at depth while using the low-cost compressed air mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 method enables the creation of a compressed shock wave effective field with high energy density, suitable for deeper tissue treatment without the need for high voltage, reducing costs and improving treatment efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

the inner wall of the reflector for Reflection of the shock waves generated by the plunger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one plunger for generating the shock waves and with at least one driven projectile for driving the plunger

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock Wave: Shock Wave

Data Source

PatentEP4039202B1Device for generating shock waves, in particular for generating a compressed shock wave

Publication Date: 2023.10.18 STEPHAN HUGO

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AI summary

In a device for generating shock waves, in particular for generating a compressed shock wave field with at least one plunger for generating the shock waves and with at least one driven projectile for driving the plunger, it is essential to the invention that the plunger is at least partially surrounded by a reflector and that the inner wall of the reflector is designed to reflect the shock waves generated by the plunger.