Pseudospark switch in the generator of shock-wave pulses for lithotripter

The thyratron with the cold cathode TD-50K/15 (pseudospark switch-PSS) was tested as a switch in a low inductive discharge circuit of the noiseless electrodynamic generator of shock-wave pulses of a medical lithotripter “LitURAT-UR”. With the help of the given switch in therapeutic focus of a reflector steady shock-wave pulses with duration (at a level 0.5 peak values) from 0.2 to 0.5 μs with amplitude up to 100 MPa were obtained. The transfer of energy from a radiator to therapeutic focus went through a “water” pillow. A mode of operation was: anode voltage 10 kV, switched current of the discharge 50 kA, switched capacity 2 μF. The basic requirements to a switch were reliability and stability of operation-absence of uncontrollable breakdowns and misfiring of an ignition, and also a current quenching. Design features of a lithotripter and PSS are presented