SHOCK WAVE DEVICE WITH POLARITY SWITCHING

Described here are devices and methods for forming shock waves. The devices may comprise an axially extending elongate member. A first electrode pair may comprise a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode pair may be provided on the elongate member and positioned within a conductive fluid. A controller may be coupled to the first electrode pair. The controller may be configuredto deliver a series of individual pulses to the first electrode pair, where each pulse creates a shock wave. The controller may cause current to flow through the electrode pair in a first direction for some of the pulses in the series and in a second direction opposite the first direction for the remaining pulses in the series. 本文描述了用于形成冲击波的装置和方法。所述装置可包括轴向延伸的细长构件。第电极对可包括第电极和第二电极。第电极对可设置在细长构件上并位于导电流体内。控制器可耦合到第电极对。控制器可被配置为将系列单独的脉冲传送到第电极对，其中每个脉冲形成冲击波。控制器可以使对于该系列中的部分脉冲电流沿第方向流过电极对，而对于该系列中的其余脉冲电流沿与第方向相反的第二方向流过电极对。