Importance

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Abstract

In an acoustic wave therapy apparatus, irradiation devices for generating acoustic waves for medical treatment are arranged on one side of a holder. A water bag is provided on the one side of the holder. The water bag is put in contact with the surface of a subject. A probe rod is arranged within the water bag advanceably and retractably through a through-hole formed in the holder. An ultrasonic probe for ultrasonic tomographic imaging is provided at an end portion of the probe rod. The probe rod has a rack gear. A pinion gear engaged with the rack gear, a drive shaft for driving the pinion gear, and a bearing seat for receiving the drive shaft are arranged on the other side of the holder. This apparatus is further provided with a pressing force maintaining device for limiting to a predetermined value the pressing force with which the end portion of the probe rod is pressed on the surface of the subject via the water bag, and a retracting device for retracting the probe rod when the end portion of the probe rod receives a predetermined upward force from the surface of the subject via the water bag. This apparatus can treat calculi and cancerous cells, while ensuring the safety for the subject.

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First Claim