EP0911804B1 - Method for the automatic adjustment of the distance between the electrodes of a spark gap in electrohydraulic shock wave generators - Google Patents

Method for the automatic adjustment of the distance between the electrodes of a spark gap in electrohydraulic shock wave generators Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0911804B1
EP0911804B1 EP98120079A EP98120079A EP0911804B1 EP 0911804 B1 EP0911804 B1 EP 0911804B1 EP 98120079 A EP98120079 A EP 98120079A EP 98120079 A EP98120079 A EP 98120079A EP 0911804 B1 EP0911804 B1 EP 0911804B1
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discharge
spark gap
voltage
curve
electrodes
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EP98120079A
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French (fr)
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EP0911804A3 (en
EP0911804A2 (en
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Ralph Dipl. Ing. Reitmajer
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MTS Europe GmbH
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MTS Europe GmbH
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K15/00—Acoustics not otherwise provided for
    • G10K15/04—Sound-producing devices
    • G10K15/06—Sound-producing devices using electric discharge

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  • the invention relates to a method for automatic adjustment and regulation of the electrode gap of a spark gap of an electro-hydraulic shock wave generation system.
  • a method for automatically controlling the distance of electrode tips in an electrohydraulic lithotripter is known from EP 0 349 915.
  • the ignition delay time ie the time from the start of charging or from the beginning of the charged state to the time of discharge of a high-voltage capacitor is measured and compared with a desired value.
  • the disadvantage of the method is that the ignition delay time is only an insufficient indication of how completely the electrical energy is converted into acoustic energy.
  • the height of the charging voltage of the condenser, the unloading is changed.
  • a larger or smaller voltage causes a stronger or weaker sparking and thus changes the pressure of the shock wave and the size of the therapeutically effective focus and thus ultimately the applied shock wave energy.
  • the voltage can not be arbitrarily increased and then reduced again, without replacement of the spark gap would be required.
  • the distance of the electrodes is of crucial importance. The larger the electrode spacing, the greater the required minimum voltage for triggering a spark discharge.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method for automatic adjustment of the electrode gap to the selected voltage and thereby to be able to perform in the therapeutic use over the entire life of a spark gap arbitrarily frequent discharges with high low voltage. This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.
  • the principle of the invention is that the controlled variable, i. the voltage value and voltage curve for triggering the spark is measured and due to the determined deviation from its target size, the spark gap electrodes are set to such a value that allows to make optimal use of the stored energy in their conversion to the shock wave.
  • the measured signal of the discharge curve has a typical course. If the distance of the electrode tips is too large, there is no complete discharge over the spark gap and the measured signal deviates from the typical course. If the distance of the electrode tips is too small, the measured signal deviates again from the typical course, since the sparking is facilitated by the small distance.
  • the aim of the invention is to adjust the electrode spacing so that the measured signal of the discharge curve corresponds to the typical course of an optimal discharge. According to the invention, this is achieved by comparing the signal of the measured discharge curve with the desired values of the discharge curve and automatically correcting the distance of the spark gap electrodes according to the determined deviation.
  • the method assumes that the discharge of the high-voltage capacitor is not carried out as usual directly over a spark gap, but via a further capacitor, which in turn discharges by means of self-discharge at maximum charge over the spark gap.
  • the voltage on C2 is determined by two processes. C2 is charged by C1 via L1, but at the same time C2 is discharged through the discharge over the spark gap.
  • the distance of the electrode tips of the underwater spark gap is automatically adjusted as a function of the voltage on C2 and the state of the electrodes. With proper adjustment, this leads to a self-discharge of the high-voltage capacitor C2 at maximum charge via the parallel-connected underwater spark gap.
  • the pitch of the electrode tips is too small, a discharge will occur across the underwater spark gap before the high voltage capacitor C2 has reached its preselected charge. If the distance between the electrode tips is too great, only a partial discharge occurs via the underwater spark gap after the high-voltage capacitor has exceeded its maximum charge and again loses part of the charge because of a leakage current via the resistance of the water, or none occurs Discharge. In both cases, the stored energy is used only imperfectly.
  • the aim of the invention is, regardless of the selected charging voltage to achieve the discharge of the high voltage capacitor at maximum charge.
  • the tolerable discharge voltage Umax means the highest and thus the desired discharge voltage
  • Umin the smallest permitted voltage taking into account the state of charge of the capacitor and the state of discharge by the discharge between the electrodes. If the discharge occurs at U ⁇ Umin, the evaluation circuit differentiates whether it is an insufficient charge or a voltage drop due to discharge. After evaluation, the evaluation circuit signals the actuator to make a correction. This is achieved by adding to the transformed signal the charging voltage of the high-voltage capacitor 50% of the negative reference voltage. See Fig. 1a) .
  • a further embodiment of Anprüche 1 and 2 is that the evaluation of the discharge or charge curve of a high voltage capacitor is combined with the statistical detection of the number and voltage of the individual pulses. The wear of an electrode is then statistically determined by the number and the voltage of the emitted pulses. The result of the statistical evaluation leads to the automatic correction of the electrode.
  • the arrangement for the execution of the said method consists of a semi-ellipsoid (1), an underwater spark gap (2), a motor (3) with gear (4), the electronic evaluation unit (5) and the high voltage capacitor (12), with the inner Head (6) and the outer conductor (9) is connected.
  • Fig. 2 shows the structure of the invention.
  • the underwater spark gap (2) which consists of an inner movable conductor (6) with electrode tip (7), an insulator (8) and an outer conductor (9) with cage (10) and fixed electrode tip (11), can be in the Insert half ellipsoid.
  • the movable inner conductor is connected via a gear to the motor, which is controlled by control electronics. According to the inner conductor is moved forward or back too small or too large distance of the electrode tips.
  • the advantage of this method is the ability to change the shock wave energy at already used electrodes in the course of a treatment as desired over the entire life, without the spark gap must be replaced or manually adjusted. It extends the life of the spark gap and optimizes the use of an electrohydraulic shock wave device in applications (for example in orthopedics), which are treated partly with very high and partly with very low shock wave energies and pressures. Furthermore, the invention allows the permanent delivery of shock waves with constant shock wave energy. Finally, the invention leads to the optimal utilization of the primary energy, whereby the efficiency is increased.

Abstract

The method involves determining the discharge curve of the spark discharge system and comparing it with a nominal curve, and automatically correcting for deviations in the separation of the spark gap electrodes. The correction may involve ensuring that the discharge occurs at maximum charge of a high voltage capacitor (12).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Methode zur automatischen Justierung und Regulierung des Elektrodenabstandes einer Funkenstrecke eines elektrohydraulischen Stoßwellenerzeugungssystems.The invention relates to a method for automatic adjustment and regulation of the electrode gap of a spark gap of an electro-hydraulic shock wave generation system.

Bekannt ist ein Gerät zur berührungsfreien Zerstörung von Konkrementen (z.B. Nierensteinen) im Körper von Lebewesen (DE-PS23 51 247), bei dem zur Erzeugung von Stoßwellen eine elektrische Unterwasserfunkenentladung eingesetzt wird. Die Entladung erfolgt über eine Funkenstrecke, die im Fokus eines Reflektors angebracht ist. (DE-PS 2 635 635, DE-OS 2 418 631, EP O 124 686).Known is a device for the non-invasive destruction of concrements (such as kidney stones) in the body of living things (DE-PS 23 51 247), in which an electric underwater spark discharge is used to generate shock waves. The discharge takes place via a spark gap, which is mounted in the focus of a reflector. (DE-PS 2 635 635, DE-OS 2 418 631, EP 0 124 686).

Eine Methode, um den Abstand von Elektrodenspitzen in einem elektrohydraulischen Lithotripter automatisch zu regeln, ist aus der Druckschrift EP 0 349 915 bekannt. Zur Regulierung des Abstandes wird die Zündverzugszeit, also die Zeit vom Beginn des Aufladens bzw. vom Beginn des geladenen Zustands bis zum Zeitpunkt der Entladung eines Hochspannungskondensators gemessen und mit einem Sollwert verglichen. Der Nachteil der Methode besteht darin, dass die Zündverzugszeit nur einen ungenügenden Hinweis darauf gibt, wie vollständig die elektrische Energie in akustische Energie umgewandelt wird.A method for automatically controlling the distance of electrode tips in an electrohydraulic lithotripter is known from EP 0 349 915. To regulate the distance, the ignition delay time, ie the time from the start of charging or from the beginning of the charged state to the time of discharge of a high-voltage capacitor is measured and compared with a desired value. The disadvantage of the method is that the ignition delay time is only an insufficient indication of how completely the electrical energy is converted into acoustic energy.

Zur Regulierung der Stoßwellenenergie wird bei diesen Systemen die Höhe der Ladespannung des Kondesators, der Entladen wird verändert. Durch eine größere oder kleinere Spannung erfolgt eine stärkere oder schwächere Funkenbildung und damit verändert sich der Druck der Stoßwelle und die Größe des therapeutisch wirksamen Fokus und damit letztlich die applizierte Stoßwellenenergie. Bei diesen Systemen kann die Spannung nicht beliebig erhöht und anschließend wieder reduziert werden, ohne daß ein Austausch der Funkenstrecke erforderlich wäre. Denn für den Entladungsvorgang ist der Abstand der Elektroden von entscheidender Bedeutung. Je größer der Elektrodenabstand, desto größer ist die erforderliche Mindestspannung zur Auslösung einer Funkenentladung. Da diese Systeme Funkenstrecken mit fest eingestelltem Elektrodenabstand verwenden und da der Elektrodenabstand sich durch den bekannten Abbrand der Elektroden während des Einsatzes vergrößert, ist die Funkenstrecke mit zunehmendem Gebrauch nur noch bei größerer Spannung funktionsfähig, so daß Stoßwellen mit geringer Gesamtenergie oder niedrigen Drücken erst nach dem Austausch der Funkenstrecke wieder möglich werden. Die Lebensdauer der Funkenstrecken ist deswegen gering. Wird dagegen eine weniger abgenutzte Funkenstrecke, d.h. mit einem geringeren Elektrodenabstand, für eine höhere Spannung verwendet, bleibt ein Großteil der gespeicherten Primärenergie ungenutzt. Ein Teil der Energie bewirkt den Durchschlag der Umgebung und transformiert zur akustischen Energie, der Rest transformiert zur Wärmeenergie und nimmt an der Bildung der Stoßwelle nicht teil.To regulate the shock wave energy in these systems, the height of the charging voltage of the condenser, the unloading is changed. A larger or smaller voltage causes a stronger or weaker sparking and thus changes the pressure of the shock wave and the size of the therapeutically effective focus and thus ultimately the applied shock wave energy. In these systems, the voltage can not be arbitrarily increased and then reduced again, without replacement of the spark gap would be required. Because for the discharge process, the distance of the electrodes is of crucial importance. The larger the electrode spacing, the greater the required minimum voltage for triggering a spark discharge. Since these systems use spark gaps with fixed electrode spacing and since the electrode spacing increases due to the known erosion of the electrodes during use, the spark gap with increasing use is only functional at higher voltage, so that shock waves with low total energy or low pressures only after the Replacement of the spark gap become possible again. The service life of the spark gaps is therefore low. In contrast, if a less worn spark gap, ie with a smaller electrode gap, used for a higher voltage, a large part of the stored primary energy remains unused. A part The energy causes the breakdown of the environment and transforms to the acoustic energy, the rest transformed into heat energy and does not participate in the formation of the shock wave.

Bekannt sind weiterhin Funkenstrecken, die durch die Möglichkeit der Nachführung der Elektroden den Abbrand wieder kompensieren und den oben beschriebenen Mangel ausgleichen. (EP O 349 915, EP C 242 237) Diese Funkenstrecken haben jedoch den Nachteil, daß sie manuell nachgestellt werden müssen, oder nur in eine Richtung nachgestellt werden können (EP C 242 237).Are also known spark gaps that compensate for the possibility of tracking the electrodes burnup again and compensate for the deficiency described above. (EP 0 349 915, EP C 242 237) However, these spark gaps have the disadvantage that they have to be readjusted manually or can only be readjusted in one direction (EP C 242 237).

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, eine Methode zur automatischen Anpassung des Elektrodenabstandes an die gewählte Spannung zu schaffen und hierdurch im therapeutischen Einsatz über die gesamte Lebensdauer einer Funkenstrecke beliebig häufige Entladungen mit hoher der niedriger Spannung durchzuführen zu können. Diese Aufgabe wird durch ein Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1 gelöst.The invention has for its object to provide a method for automatic adjustment of the electrode gap to the selected voltage and thereby to be able to perform in the therapeutic use over the entire life of a spark gap arbitrarily frequent discharges with high low voltage. This object is achieved by a method according to claim 1.

Das Prinzip der Erfindung besteht darin, daß direkt die geregelte Größe, d.h. der Spannungswert und Spannungsverlauf zur Auslösung des Funkens gemessen wird und aufgrund der ermittelten Abweichung von ihrer Soll-Größe werden die Funkenstreckenelektroden auf einen solchen Wert eingestellt, der die Nutzung der gespeicherten Energie bei deren Umwandlung zur Stoßwelle optimal zu gestalten erlaubt.The principle of the invention is that the controlled variable, i. the voltage value and voltage curve for triggering the spark is measured and due to the determined deviation from its target size, the spark gap electrodes are set to such a value that allows to make optimal use of the stored energy in their conversion to the shock wave.

Bei korrekter Justierung des Elektrodenabstandes der Funkenstrecke weist das gemessene Signal der Entladekurve einen typischen Verlauf auf. Ist der Abstand der Elektrodenspitzen zu groß, kommt es zu keiner vollständigen Entladung über die Funkenstrecke und das gemessene Signal weicht vom typischen Verlauf ab. Ist der Abstand der Elektrodenspitzen zu klein, weicht das gemessene Signal wiederum vom typischen Verlauf ab, da der Funkenschlag durch den kleinen Abstand erleichtert wird. Ziel der Erfindung ist es, den Elektrodenabstand so zu justieren, daß das gemessene Signal der Entladekurve dem typischen Verlauf einer optimalen Entladung entspricht. Gemäß der Erfindung wird dies dadurch erreicht, daß das Signal der gemessenen Entladekurve mit den Soll-Werten der Entladekurve verglichen wird und entsprechend der ermittelten Abweichung der Abstand der Funkenstreckenelektroden automatisch korrigiert wird.If the electrode gap of the spark gap is correctly adjusted, the measured signal of the discharge curve has a typical course. If the distance of the electrode tips is too large, there is no complete discharge over the spark gap and the measured signal deviates from the typical course. If the distance of the electrode tips is too small, the measured signal deviates again from the typical course, since the sparking is facilitated by the small distance. The aim of the invention is to adjust the electrode spacing so that the measured signal of the discharge curve corresponds to the typical course of an optimal discharge. According to the invention, this is achieved by comparing the signal of the measured discharge curve with the desired values of the discharge curve and automatically correcting the distance of the spark gap electrodes according to the determined deviation.

Die Methode setzt voraus, daß die Entladung des Hochspannungskondensators nicht wie üblich unmittelbar über eine Funkenstrecke erfolgt, sondern über einen weiteren Kondensator, der sich wiederum mittels Selbstentladung bei maximaler Ladung über die Funkenstrecke entläd. Gemäß Fig. 3 wird die Spannung auf C2 durch zwei Vorgänge bestimmt. C2 wird zum einen durch C1 über L1 aufgeladen, zugleich wird jedoch C2 durch die Ableitung über die Funkenstrecke entladen. Gemäß der Erfindung wird der Abstand der Elektrodenspitzen der Unterwasserfunkenstrecke in Abhängigkeit von der Spannung auf C2 und dem Zustand der Elektroden automatisch justiert. Dies führt bei korrekter Justierung zu einer Selbstentladung des Hochspannungskondensators C2 bei maximaler Ladung über die parallel geschaltete Unterwasserfunkenstrecke. Ist der Abstand der Elektrodenspitzen zu klein, kommt es zu einer Entladung über die Unterwasserfunkenstrecke, bevor der Hochspannungskondensator C2 seine vorgewählte Ladung erreicht hat. Ist der Abstand der Elektrodenspitzen zu groß, kommt es nur zu eine r Teilentladung über die Unterwasserfunkenstrecke, nachdem der Hochspannungskondensator seine maximale Ladung überschritten hat und wegen eines Leckstromes über den Widerstand des Wassers einen Teil der Ladung wieder verloren hat, bzw. es kommt zu keiner Entladung. In beiden Fällen wird die gespeicherte Energie nur unvollkommen genutzt. Ziel der Erfindung ist es, unabhängig von der gewählten Ladespannung die Entladung des Hochspannungskondensators bei maximaler Ladung zu erreichen. Dies wird dadurch erreicht, daß der Spannungsverlauf der Ladekurve des Kondensators C2 gemessen und mit der Soll-Ladekurve verglichen wird und entsprechend der ermittelten Abweichung der Abstand der Funkenstreckenelektroden automatisch korrigiert wird, so daß die Entladung über die Funkenstrecke bei maximaler Ladung des Hochspannungs-kondensators erfolgt. Die Abweichung von der Soll-Ladekurve wird über einen Auswertungskreis ermittelt. Nach der Auswertung signalisiert der Auswertungskreis an das Stellglied die Vornahme einer Korrektur.The method assumes that the discharge of the high-voltage capacitor is not carried out as usual directly over a spark gap, but via a further capacitor, which in turn discharges by means of self-discharge at maximum charge over the spark gap. According to FIG. 3 , the voltage on C2 is determined by two processes. C2 is charged by C1 via L1, but at the same time C2 is discharged through the discharge over the spark gap. According to the invention, the distance of the electrode tips of the underwater spark gap is automatically adjusted as a function of the voltage on C2 and the state of the electrodes. With proper adjustment, this leads to a self-discharge of the high-voltage capacitor C2 at maximum charge via the parallel-connected underwater spark gap. If the pitch of the electrode tips is too small, a discharge will occur across the underwater spark gap before the high voltage capacitor C2 has reached its preselected charge. If the distance between the electrode tips is too great, only a partial discharge occurs via the underwater spark gap after the high-voltage capacitor has exceeded its maximum charge and again loses part of the charge because of a leakage current via the resistance of the water, or none occurs Discharge. In both cases, the stored energy is used only imperfectly. The aim of the invention is, regardless of the selected charging voltage to achieve the discharge of the high voltage capacitor at maximum charge. This is achieved in that the voltage curve of the charging curve of the capacitor C2 is measured and compared with the desired charging curve and automatically corrected according to the determined deviation, the distance of the spark gap electrodes, so that the discharge takes place over the spark gap at maximum charge of the high-voltage capacitor , The deviation from the desired charging curve is determined via a evaluation circuit. After evaluation, the evaluation circuit signals the actuator to make a correction.

Eine mögliche Methode zur Ermittlung der Abweichung der Entladekurve von der Soll-Entladekurve wird über einen Auswertungskreis dargestellt, die Gegenstand des Unteranspruches ist. Gemäß Fig. 3 bedeutet bei zugelassener Tolleranz der Entladungsspannung Umax die höchste und somit die gewünschte Entladungsspannung, und Umin die kleinste zugelassene Spannung unter Berücksichtigung des Aufladungszustandes des Kondensators sowie des Entladungszustandes durch die Ableitung zwischen den Elektroden. Erfolgt die Entladung bei U<Umin, unterscheidet der Auswertungskreis, ob es sich dabei um eine unzureichende Aufladung oder einen Spannungsrückgang durch Ableitung handelt. Nach der Auswertung signalisiert der Auswertungskreis an das Stellglied die Vornahme einer Korrektur. Dies wird dadurch erreicht, daß zum transformierten Signal der Ladespannung des Hochspannungskondensators 50% der negativen Referenzspannung addiert wird. Siehe Fig 1a). Durch Integration dieser halbsinusförmigen Kurve und anschließender Invertierung erhält man ein Ausgangssignal, dessen steil abfallende Flanke mit einem oberen und einem unteren Referenzwert verglichen wird, siehe Fig 1b). Diese Referenzwerte liegen nahe dem Nulldurchgang des Ausgangssignals. Findet die Entladung des Hochspannungskondensators nahe dem Maximum der Ladekurve statt, liegt das Ausgangssignal zwischen dem oberen und dem unteren Referenzwert, siehe Fig 1c). Kommt es zur Entladung, bevor die maximale Ladung des Hochspannungskondensators erreicht wurde und liegt das Ausgangssignal über dem oberen Referenzwert, so wird dies statistisch erfaßt. Der Elektrodenabstand muß bei mehrmals wiederholtem Auftreten vergrößert werden. Kommt es zur Entladung, nachdem die maximale Ladung des Hochspannungskondensators erreicht wurde bzw. kommt es zu keiner Entladung und liegt das Ausgangssignal unter dem unteren Referenzwert, so wird dies statistisch erfaßt. Der Elektrodenabstand muß bei mehrmals wiederholtem Auftreten verkleinert werden.One possible method for determining the deviation of the discharge curve from the desired discharge curve is represented by an evaluation circuit, which is the subject of the dependent claim. According to FIG. 3 , the tolerable discharge voltage Umax means the highest and thus the desired discharge voltage, and Umin the smallest permitted voltage taking into account the state of charge of the capacitor and the state of discharge by the discharge between the electrodes. If the discharge occurs at U <Umin, the evaluation circuit differentiates whether it is an insufficient charge or a voltage drop due to discharge. After evaluation, the evaluation circuit signals the actuator to make a correction. This is achieved by adding to the transformed signal the charging voltage of the high-voltage capacitor 50% of the negative reference voltage. See Fig. 1a) . By integration of this semi-sinusoidal curve and subsequent inversion, one obtains an output signal whose steeply falling edge is compared with an upper and a lower reference value, see FIG. 1b) . These reference values are close to the zero crossing of the output signal. If the discharge of the high-voltage capacitor takes place near the maximum of the charging curve, the output signal lies between the upper and the lower reference value, see FIG. 1c) . If it comes to the discharge before the maximum charge of the high voltage capacitor has been reached and the output signal is above the upper reference value, this is detected statistically. The electrode spacing must be increased when repeated several times. If it comes to the discharge after the maximum charge of the high voltage capacitor has been reached or there is no discharge and the output signal is below the lower reference value, this is detected statistically. The distance between the electrodes must be reduced when repeated several times.

Eine weitere Ausgestaltung der Anprüche 1 und 2 besteht darin, daß die Auswertung der Entlade- oder Ladekurve eines Hochspannungskondensators mit der statistischen Erfassung der Anzahl und der Spannung der einzelnen Impulsen kombiniert wird. Der Verschleiß einer Elektrode wird dann statistisch über die Anzahl und die Spannung der abgegebenen Impulse ermittelt. Das Ergebnis der statistischen Auswertung führt zur automatischen Korrektur der Elektrode.A further embodiment of Anprüche 1 and 2 is that the evaluation of the discharge or charge curve of a high voltage capacitor is combined with the statistical detection of the number and voltage of the individual pulses. The wear of an electrode is then statistically determined by the number and the voltage of the emitted pulses. The result of the statistical evaluation leads to the automatic correction of the electrode.

Die Anordnung für die Ausführung der besagten Methode besteht aus einem Halbellipsoid (1), einer Unterwasserfunkenstrecke (2), einem Motor (3) mit Getriebe (4), der elektronischen Auswertungseinheit (5) und dem Hochspannungskondensator (12), der mit dem inneren Leiter (6) und dem äußeren Leiter (9) verbunden ist. Fig 2 zeigt den Aufbau der Erfindung. Die Unterwasserfunkenstrecke (2), welche aus einem inneren beweglichen Leiter (6) mit Elektrodenspitze (7), einem Isolator (8) und einem äußeren Leiter (9) mit Käfig (10) und feststehender Elektrodenspitze (11) besteht, läßt sich in das Halbellipsoid einstecken. Der bewegliche Innenleiter ist über ein Getriebe mit dem Motor verbunden, welcher durch Regelelektronik gesteuert wird. Erfindungsgemäß wird bei zu kleinem oder zu großem Abstand der Elektrodenspitzen der Innenleiter vor oder zurück bewegt.The arrangement for the execution of the said method consists of a semi-ellipsoid (1), an underwater spark gap (2), a motor (3) with gear (4), the electronic evaluation unit (5) and the high voltage capacitor (12), with the inner Head (6) and the outer conductor (9) is connected. Fig. 2 shows the structure of the invention. The underwater spark gap (2), which consists of an inner movable conductor (6) with electrode tip (7), an insulator (8) and an outer conductor (9) with cage (10) and fixed electrode tip (11), can be in the Insert half ellipsoid. The movable inner conductor is connected via a gear to the motor, which is controlled by control electronics. According to the inner conductor is moved forward or back too small or too large distance of the electrode tips.

Der Vorteil dieser Methode liegt in der Möglichkeit, die Stoßwellenenergie bei schon gebrauchten Elektroden im Verlauf einer Behandlung beliebig über die gesamte Lebensdauer verändern zu können, ohne daß die Funkenstrecke ausgetauscht oder manuell nachgestellt werden muß. Sie verlängert die Lebensdauer der Funkenstrecke und optimiert den Einsatz eines elektrohydraulischen Stoßwellengerätes bei Anwendungen (z.B. in der Orthopädie), bei denen teils mit sehr hohen und teils mit sehr niedrigen Stoßwellenenergieen und Drücken therapiert wird. Weiterhin erlaubt die Erfindung die permanente Abgabe von Stoßwellen mit gleichbleibender Stoßwellenenergie. Schließlich führt die Erfindung zur optimalen Ausnutzung der Primärenergie, wodurch der Wirkungsgrad gesteigert wird.The advantage of this method is the ability to change the shock wave energy at already used electrodes in the course of a treatment as desired over the entire life, without the spark gap must be replaced or manually adjusted. It extends the life of the spark gap and optimizes the use of an electrohydraulic shock wave device in applications (for example in orthopedics), which are treated partly with very high and partly with very low shock wave energies and pressures. Furthermore, the invention allows the permanent delivery of shock waves with constant shock wave energy. Finally, the invention leads to the optimal utilization of the primary energy, whereby the efficiency is increased.

Claims (3)

  1. Method for the adjustment of a spark gap between two electrodes of a device for the generation of shockwaves,
    characterized in that
    (i) the discharge curve of the spark gap is determined, or the charge / discharge curve of a capacitor, which is discharged by self-discharge through the spark gap, is measured,
    (ii) the charge / discharge curve is compared with desired values of a typical progress of a charge/discharge curve of an optimal discharge,
    (iii) the separation of the spark gap electrodes is automatically corrected according to the determined deviation.
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that 50% of a negative reference voltage is added to a transformed signal of the measured voltage curve and that by integration of this half-sine curve and subsequent inversion an output signal is generated, having a steep training edge that is compared to reference values and, in case of falling short or exceeding the reference values, the electrode gap is adjusted.
  3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the number and the voltage of pulses are determined statistically, that the adjustment factor is calculated from these values, which in turn leads to the automatic correction of the electrode gap by means of an electromechanical or hydraulic drive.
EP98120079A 1997-10-24 1998-10-23 Method for the automatic adjustment of the distance between the electrodes of a spark gap in electrohydraulic shock wave generators Expired - Lifetime EP0911804B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19746972 1997-10-24
DE19746972 1997-10-24

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EP0911804A2 EP0911804A2 (en) 1999-04-28
EP0911804A3 EP0911804A3 (en) 2001-09-19
EP0911804B1 true EP0911804B1 (en) 2007-05-09

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EP98120079A Expired - Lifetime EP0911804B1 (en) 1997-10-24 1998-10-23 Method for the automatic adjustment of the distance between the electrodes of a spark gap in electrohydraulic shock wave generators

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EP0911804A3 (en) 2001-09-19
CZ297145B6 (en) 2006-09-13
CZ342398A3 (en) 1999-05-12
ATE362163T1 (en) 2007-06-15
US6217531B1 (en) 2001-04-17
DE59814001D1 (en) 2007-06-21
EP0911804A2 (en) 1999-04-28

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