Shock wave source having central locating system & disposed in a cavity free of shock waves

Abstract

A shock wave source for disintegrating a calculus has a centrally disposed cavity in which a locating system for identifying the position of the calculus is disposed. The shock wave source has an emission surface, from which shock waves are emitted into a coupling agent in the shock wave source. The emission surface is angled in the direction of shock wave propagation, so that the shock waves emitted therefrom diverge. A focusing element is provided which focuses the shock waves onto the calculus, the focusing element having a structure which, in addition to focusing the shock waves, compensates for the divergence of the shock waves. Due to the divergence of the shock waves, the central cavity in which the locating system is disposed is maintained free of shock waves.