Abstract: A method of tracing the likely contour of an anatomical element in a sectional image of an anatomical site, the image being composed of pixels having different intensities, the method including the steps of: a) forming columns of pixels passing through the anatomical element; b) assigning each pixel a pixel score representing the probability of the pixel being situated on the contour of the anatomical element; c) constituting a matrix of pixel scores from a plurality of columns of pixels and defining numerous continuous paths of pixels, each passing through a single pixel of each column; d) assigning each continuous path a path score that is a function of the scores of the pixels constituting the continuous path; e) selecting from a set of continuous paths the path that has the best path score, that path representing the likely contour of the anatomical element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a head for imaging and treating an organ or tissue of a living organism, which is suitable for the treatment of thyroid or prostate tumors. The head comprises: an ultrasound probe for emitting waves or radiation in order to supply an image of the tissue or organ to be treated and a treatment mechanism for treating the tissue or organ locally, where the treatment mechanism emits waves or radiation to treat same. The ultrasonic probe divides the treatment mechanism into two parts that are substantially symmetrically identical in relation to the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: An imaging and treatment head for imaging and treating an organ or tissue of a living being, and usable in particular for treating tumors of the prostate or the thyroid. The head includes an ultrasonic probe suitable for emitting waves or radiation so as to provide an imaged representation of an organ or tissue for treatment. The head also includes a treatment mechanism suitable for treating the organ or tissue locally. The treatment mechanism is suitable for emitting waves or radiation so as to treat the organ or the tissue. The head is characterized in that the ultrasonic probe is mounted in a removable manner on an adapter that ensures positioning of the ultrasonic probe relative to the treatment mechanism.

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 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: 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: 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 treatment device and methods for HIFU treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders are provided. The treatment method includes steps of identifying a treatment zone and directing high intensity focused ultrasound energy towards the treatment zone. The treatment device has a first sensor for detecting swallowing motion and a second sensor for tracking the motion of the thyroid and parathyroid tissue with ultrasound imaging.

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: A therapeutic treatment head for treating living tissue (T), the head comprising a casing (1), an ultrasound therapeutic transducer (2) mounted on the casing, and a diaphragm (3) mounted on the casing (1), the diaphragm (3) being designed to come into contact with an application surface (S) of the tissue (T), such as skin; the diaphragm (3), the transducer (2), and the casing (1) together defining a chamber (4) that is filled with an acoustic coupling liquid (L) that flows through the chamber between an inlet (41) and an outlet (42); the transducer (2) being placed in such a manner as to emit ultrasound through a propagation zone (Z) of the chamber towards the diaphragm (3); the head being characterized in that a first temperature sensor (51) is placed close to the inlet (41) and a second temperature sensor (52) is placed close to the outlet (42), the sensors (51, 52) delivering signals that are representative of temperatures.

Abstract: Device for therapeutic treatment, comprising: an acoustic transducer (1) designed to emit power waves towards a target in order to treat the latter, the power waves having a focal point; an imaging probe (2), such as an echography probe, designed to emit waves for providing an image representation of the target and of its environment before, during and after the emission of the power waves issuing from the transducer (1), said probe and said transducer being integrally connected to each other; and a display device (21, 22) designed to display the images taken by the probe (2), 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 focal point of the power waves being situated in the image taken by the probe, characterized in that it additionally comprises detection means (150) for detecting a change of structure of the interference images that is indicative of the efficacy of the power waves (Fu).

Abstract: A method of tracing the likely contour of an anatomical element (S, C) in a sectional image of an anatomical site, the image being composed of pixels (Pi) having different intensities, the method comprising the following steps: a) forming columns (K) of pixels (Pi) passing through the anatomical element (S, C), b) assigning each pixel (Pi) a pixel score representing the probability of the pixel being situated on the contour of the anatomical element (S, C), c) constituting a matrix of pixel scores from a plurality of columns (K) of pixels and defining numerous continuous paths of pixels, each passing through a single pixel of each column, d) assigning each continuous path a path score that is a function of the scores of the pixels constituting the continuous path, e) selecting from a set of continuous paths the path that has the best path score, that path representing the likely contour of the anatomical element.

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: A method for treating a varicose vein comprises heating a dehiscent portion of a wall of the vein so as to produce a localized retraction of collagen. Heating may be via application of high-intensity focused ultrasound energy.

Abstract: The inventive ultrasound treating device comprises a first processing transducer set (11) for transmitting a beam of high-intensity ultrasound waves to a treatable area (3), wherein said beam comprises an aspheric wavefront and forms a focal spot (6) on the treatable area elongated and inclined with respect to the direction of the ultrasound wave propagation and the focal spot (6) length is less than the length of the transducer (11). The inventive device is particularly suitable for treating an elongated area such as vein portions enveloping a pathological valve.

Abstract: A method of determining the real distance between an emitter/receiver face (212) of an imaging probe (2) and a target site, the probe emitting and receiving waves through a propagation medium and living tissue, the method comprising the following successive steps: determining the theoretical distance between the face and the target site when the face is separated from the target site only by the living tissue; determining a distance correction resulting from the fact that the emitted and received waves have passed through the propagation medium; and applying said correction to the theoretical distance so as to obtain the real distance.

Abstract: An imaging and treatment head for imaging and treating an organ or tissue of a living being, and usable in particular for treating tumors of the prostate or the thyroid, said head comprising: imaging means (2), such as an ultrasonic probe, that are suitable for emitting waves or radiation so as to provide an imaged representation of an organ or tissue for treatment; and treatment means (4) that are suitable for treating said organ or tissue locally, the treatment means being suitable for emitting waves or radiation so as to treat the organ or the tissue; said head being characterized in that the imaging means (2) are mounted in removable manner on an adapter (3; 3?) that ensures positioning of the imaging means (2) relative to the treatment means (4).