Abstract: A device (1) and method to treat a patient (P) with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), wherein the device (1) performs a movement of an imaging device (4) along a longitudinal axis (8a, 8b) while acquiring images.

Abstract: A method of performing a heat treatment of blood vessels (6), such as varicose veins, in order to coagulate the vessel walls (2). Bubbles (4) are selectively created in the blood (3), such that the formation of blood coagula is avoided during the treatment due to cavitation (5).

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a device to treat vessels. In particular, the invention is directed at a method to occlude varicose veins while avoiding the formation of bubble clouds in the tissue surrounding the vessel and/or their interaction with the ultrasound beam. The invention is further directed at a device adapted to perform the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and a method to avoid artefacts in second circulation mode imaging during ultrasound treatments of the human body (P). Specifically and amongst other effects, the invention provides a way to adequately control, in particular turn on and off, the fluid circulation (12) in a cavity (7) such as to avoid artefacts while still enabling practical imaging.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of non-invasively treating a varicose vein (2), for example the Great saphenous vein (GSV), wherein the vein or the vein system to be treated is divided into sections (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) with a length (11) separated by a spacing (s1). The sections can be pre-defined before the treatment, for example to target a junction (4) to a tributary (3), or with respect to the sapheno-femoral junction (8), and can vary in length and location, for example to avoid a sensitive structure (7) such as nerves.

Abstract: A device (1) for therapeutic treatment of a target (2) comprising at least one ultrasound transducer (3) for generating and transmitting ultrasound pulses to the target and at least one detector (4) to detect ultrasound waves (6) backscattered from structures. The device (1) comprises a signal processing unit (8) to select an output of the at least one detector (4) caused by backscattered waves (6). The selected output has a frequency around an even harmonics of the emitted frequency (f) of the ultrasound pulses. The device (1) comprises a processor (7) to provide an output of the selected signal indicative of a parameter of the backscattered waves (6) in the frequency band around the even harmonics. The processor calculates if the parameter of the backscattered waves (6) in the frequency band is above a preset threshold (13), and provides an alert signal (9) when the parameter exceeds the threshold (13).

Abstract: A device for treatment of a tissue (8) of a living being, including a transducer (4) for emitting a beam of ultrasound waves mounted on a movable treatment head (1), an ultrasonic imaging device (2, 3), optionally an inflatable balloon (5) surrounding the treatment head (1) and containing a coupling fluid, and a control unit for controlling movement of the treatment head (1) and operation of the transducer (4) and the imaging device (2, 3). In order to avoid displacement of tissues (7, 8) during displacement of the treatment head (1) and increase imaging quality, the treatment head (1) is adjustable to at least two of a treatment position (T), a monitoring position (M) and a travel position (S).

Abstract: A device for therapeutic treatment which comprises a HIFU transducer for generating and transmitting HIFU pulses to a target. The HIFU transducer is operable in at least a probing mode, during a probing phase, and in a treatment mode, during a treatment phase. In the probing phase the HIFU transducer is operated with at least one probing operation characteristic. The probing operation characteristic includes emission of a pulse with a focal point. During the treatment phase, the HIFU transducer operates with at least one treatment operation characteristic different from the probing operation characteristic. The device further comprises a detector designed to detect a change of tissue properties caused by the HIFU pulses in the target during the probing phase. The device further comprises a computer or microprocessor for determining at least one probing parameter necessary to achieve the change of tissue properties detected by the detector during the probing phase.

Abstract: A method of operating a device (1) for treatment of a tissue (6) of a living being and such a device (1) including a transducer (2) comprising at least two subtransducers (2?, 2?), each for emitting a sub-beam (8?) of ultrasound waves, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound waves, for irradiating the tissue (6). Each of the sub-beams (8?) is focused on or focusable onto a focal point (F). In order to reduce skin burns, the intersection Area (Asi) of a skin surface (7) for each sub-beam (8?) is evaluated and a power (Psi) and/or a duration (tsi) of the irradiation, for every sub-transducer (2?, 2?), is determined as a rate of the total power (Ptotal) or duration (ttotal) depending from the evaluated intersection area (Asi).

Abstract: A device (1) and a method for therapeutic treatment comprising an acoustic treatment transducer (2) able to emit high intensity waves (HIFU) toward a target (3) in order to treat the target. The high intensity waves have a focal point. The device com-prises at least one detector (15) for detecting a change of tis-sue properties caused by the high intensity waves in the target (3). The device (1) further comprises at least one means for time measurement able to measure the time tmark from the beginning of the emission of a pulse of HIFU until a change of tissue properties is detected or means for detecting the frequency of appearance of changes of tissue properties.

Abstract: A coupling liquid for ultrasound devices, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The coupling liquid comprises a liquid aqueous solution of at least one hydrophilic polymer having an average molecular mass of between 30,000 and 70,000 and at least one alcohol with a carbon chain of 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a container (10) for an ultrasound coupling liquid having a thin wall.

Abstract: A treatment device and methods for HIFU treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders are provided. The treatment device comprises the first sensor for detecting swallowing motion and the second sensor for tracking the motion of the thyroid and parathyroid tissue with ultrasound imaging. Thus, the treatment device allows for safe and non-invasive use of HIFU on thyroid and parathyroid tissue of patients by synchronizing HIFU pulse delivery with patient swallowing and/or directing the applicator of HIFU energy to follow the appropriate tissue when the patient moves.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound probe head (1), especially for HIFU treatment, comprising a treatment ultrasound transducer (2) and an imaging ultrasound transducer (3). The imaging transducer (3) comprises a shield element (4) configured such that most of the energy of ultrasound waves (10) reflected in the direction of the imaging transducer (3) are held back by said shield element (4). The shield element (4) is configured in such a way as not to interfere with the emission of the imaging ultrasound waves (7).

Abstract: A method of operating a device (1) for treatment of a tissue (6) of a living being and such a device (1) including a transducer (2) comprising at least two subtransducers (2?, 2?), each for emitting a sub-beam (8?) of ultrasound waves, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound waves, for irradiating the tissue (6). Each of the sub-beams (8?) is focused on or focusable onto a focal point (F). In order to reduce skin burns, the intersection Area (Asi) of a skin surface (7) for each sub-beam (8?) is evaluated and a power (Psi) and/or a duration (tsi) of the irradiation, for every sub-transducer (2?, 2?), is determined as a rate of the total power (Ptotal) or duration (ttotal) depending from the evaluated intersection area (Asi).

Abstract: To determine the elastic modulus of biologic tissue, a sequence of elasticity images and a sequence of B-mode ultrasound images are acquired simultaneously. Then, at least one sub-sequence of the B-mode ultrasound images representing a resting state is generated from said sequence of B-mode ultrasound images. Based on the sub-sequence of the B-mode ultrasound images, a subsequence of the elasticity images is generated by selecting and/or modifying those elasticity images. Finally, the elastic modulus is determined based on the sub-sequence of the elasticity images. Also disclosed are a method for determining changes of the elastic modulus of a tissue, a method of identifying biological tissue based on the determined elastic modulus and a device for determining the elastic modulus of a biological tissue.

Abstract: Non-invasive device for locating a structure (N2), such as a nerve, in a region of a body having an external surface (Se), the device comprising: a focused ultrasonic transducer (1), advantageously of the HIFU type, designed to produce an ultrasound beam (Fu) through the external surface (Se) in the region, the beam (Fu) having a focal point that can be positioned on the structure (N2); monitoring means (3) for detecting a response of the structure when this is subjected to a stimulation; and stimulation means (1; 4) for stimulating the structure (N2), which delivers a response detected by the monitoring means (3), the stimulation means comprising the ultrasonic transducer (1) capable of delivering an ultrasound beam (Fu) to said structure (N2), so as to disturb it, characterized in that the device includes: an imager (2, 21, 22) mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer (1) so that the imager follows the focal point of the transducer so as to display, on an image, the position of the focal point of t

Abstract: This invention relates to a coupling liquid for ultrasound devices, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). The coupling liquid comprises a liquid aqueous solution of at least one hydrophilic polymer having an average molecular mass of between 30,000 and 70,000 and at least one alcohol with a carbon chain of 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a container (10) for an ultrasound coupling liquid having a thin wall.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for treatment of an organ or tissue of a living being. The device comprises at least one treatment transducer for emission of ultrasound waves, preferably high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) waves, focusable on a focal point within or on the surface of said organ or tissue, as well as means for rotating said treatment transducer around an axis which intersects said focal point. The device further comprises synchronization means for synchronizing the rotation of the treatment transducer with at least the emission of ultrasound waves from said treatment transducer and/or an additional imaging transducer.

Abstract: This invention concerns a cover member, especially for a HIFU head, comprising a peripheral outer wall, an open first side configured to partially cover an ultrasound head and a closed second side comprising a flexible membrane adapted for contact with a patient's skin, characterized in that the cover member is removeably attachable to the tip of said ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A device for therapeutic treatment includes an acoustic transducer designed to emit power waves to treat a target, and an imaging probe designed to emit waves for providing an image representation of the target and its environment before, during and after the emission of the power waves issuing from the transducer. The probe and the transducer are integrally connected to one another other. The device also includes a display for displaying images taken by the probe, namely images at rest, taken before and/or after emission of the power waves, and interference images, taken during the emission of the power waves. The device additionally comprises a detector for detecting a change of structure of the interference images that is indicative of the efficacy of the power waves.