RAPID PULSE ELECTROHYDRAULIC (EH) SHOCKWAVE GENERATOR APPARATUS WITH IMPROVED ELECTRODE LIFETIME

摘要

An apparatus for generating therapeutic shock waves comprises a housing defining a chamber and a shockwave outlet, the chamber being configured to be filled with a liquid; a plurality of electrodes configured to be disposed in the chamber to define one or more spark gaps; and a plurality of capacitors carried by the housing and in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes. The plurality of electrodes is configured to be coupled to a pulse-generation system such that: (i) the housing is movable relative to the pulse-generation system, and (ii) the pulse-generation system is in electrical communication with the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of capacitors such that the plurality of electrodes and the plurality of capacitors can simultaneously receive voltage pulses from the pulse-generation system. The plurality of capacitors are configured to, upon reaching a threshold charge, discharge to the plurality of electrodes.