Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transiently disrupting a region of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) of a human using ultrasounds in the presence of an ultrasound contrast agent, and uses thereof. The method comprises the application of at least one ultrasound (US) beam with a pressure level higher than 1 MPa and a resonance frequency ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 MHz.

Abstract: A system for treating at least one sensory capacity of a person with the help of a stimulation device comprises an electronic converter of a sensory signal into an electronic signal for controlling at least one transducer for emitting signals that are images of the sensory signal. The stimulation device for direct ultrasound stimulation of the sensory cortex of a brain comprises at least one support that is implantable in a skull and that includes at least one internal wall and at least one ultrasound transducer carried by the support. Means for emitting focused ultrasound waves through the internal wall of the support towards a determined zone of the sensory cortex of the patient's brain in order to generate modulation of the brain activity in the cortex are provided. The ultrasound transducer is driven by the electronic converter to emit focused ultrasound signals that are images of the sensory signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a brain affection, which comprises at least one implantable generator (4) made of non-ferromagnetic material comprising a casing (7), an ultrasound generating treating device (11) positioned into said casing to induce brain affection treatment by emission of ultrasound waves, and means for fastening the implantable casing into the skull. The apparatus further comprises a power controller (PwC) to supply electricity to the treating device of the implantable generator and to set and control its working parameters, and connecting means (6) to connect the power controller and the treating device of the implantable generator. A method for treating a brain affection with such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The percutaneous probe, made in MRI-compatible materials, comprises: a body percutaneously inserted into the tissue of a patient's body organ (8) having a region (10) to be analyzed, treated and monitored during a single medical procedure; at least one information collection sensing device (30,33,34); treatment application transducers (30) 360° disposed to emit focused or defocused therapeutic ultra-sound waves. The computerized system comprises a parametrizable command device (50) adapted to simulate then command a generation of the therapeutic ultra-sound waves, and to monitor the treatment by thermal MRI images.

Abstract: An intracerebral electrode (11) which includes a narrow elongated body (1) for being implanted in a patient's brain. The body has contact pads (2) that are electrically connected to a measuring apparatus, and a mounting member (4) for attachment to the body to the patient's head. The electrode body has a closed distal end (5) and is hollow for receiving a treatment instrument (6). The intracerebral electrode (11) comprises a closed inner fluid flow circuit (20) formed inside the body (1) of the electrode to an area adjacent the closed distal end (5), and a connection mechanism (7) located outside the body which connects the closed inner fluid flow circuit to an outer fluid flow circuit so that fluid, flowing through the outer fluid flow circuit, flows into the electrode through the inner fluid flow circuit and controls the temperature of the electrode (11).

Abstract: An interstitial ultrasound thermal ablation applicator for conformal treatment of inhomogeneous tumor lesions includes: a body having a longitudinal axis, the body defining a hollow central channel along the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of CMUT array transducers mounted on the body, arranged side by side to form a cylindrical shape, having azimuth plans parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body, each of the plurality of CMUT array transducers having elevation dimensions predetermined to steer emitted ultrasonic waves to obtain a conformal volume treatment of the tumor lesions. An electronic driving method for driving an applicator having multiple independent transducer elements arranged in rows and columns includes: controlling focal parameters of each row and column of transducer elements; and controlling a contribution of each row and column of transducer elements in a manner to provide a conformal ablated volume.

Abstract: A system (1) for treating at least one sensory capacity of a person with the help of a stimulation device comprising: an electronic converter (7) of a sensory signal into an electronic signal for controlling at least one transducer for emitting signals that are images of the sensory signal; the stimulation device is a device (3) for direct ultrasound stimulation of the sensory cortex of the patient's brain (B), comprising: at least one support (2) that is implantable in the patient's skull (C) and that includes at least one internal wall (22); and at least one ultrasound transducer (4) carried by the support (2) and including means for emitting focused ultrasound waves (U) through the internal wall (22) of the support towards a determined zone of the sensory cortex of the patient's brain (B) in order to generate modulation of the brain activity in the cortex, the ultrasound transducer (4) being driven by the electronic converter to emit focused ultrasound signals (U) that are images of the sensory signal.

Abstract: An intracerebral probe (11) comprising a first part (20) with laser or cryogenic treatment means and further comprising a hollow second part (22) surrounding the first, the first part sliding inside the second part along its longitudinal axis (A); and a plurality of detectors (16) distributed along a portion of the second part (22) in such a manner as to be capable of identifying a brain dysfunction zone along the longitudinal axis (A) of the second part. Advantageously, the probe presents a lateral treatment window enabling the action of the treatment means to be directed. The invention also provides a kit and a treatment system including such a probe, and the use thereof of treating cell dysfunctions that give rise to neurological or psychiatric symptoms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a brain affection, which comprises at least one implantable generator (4) made of non-ferromagnetic material comprising a casing (7), an ultrasound generating treating device (11) positioned into said casing to induce brain affection treatment by emission of ultrasound waves, and means for fastening the implantable casing into the skull. The apparatus further comprises a power controller (PwC) to supply electricity to the treating device of the implantable generator and to set and control its working parameters, and connecting means (6) to connect the power controller and the treating device of the implantable generator. A method for treating a brain affection with such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An intracerebral electrode (11) which includes a narrow elongated body (1) for being implanted in a patient's brain. The body has contact pads (2) that are electrically connected to a measuring apparatus, and a mounting member (4) for attachment to the body to the patient's head. The electrode body has a closed distal end (5) and is hollow for receiving a treatment instrument (6). The intracerebral electrode (11) comprises a closed inner fluid flow circuit (20) formed inside the body (1) of the electrode to an area adjacent the closed distal end (5), and a connection mechanism (7) located outside the body which connects the closed inner fluid flow circuit to an outer fluid flow circuit so that fluid, flowing through the outer fluid flow circuit, flows into the electrode through the inner fluid flow circuit and controls the temperature of the electrode (11).

Abstract: The percutaneous probe, made in MRI-compatible materials, comprises: a body percutaneously inserted into the tissue of a patient's body organ (8) having a region (10) to be analyzed, treated and monitored during a single medical procedure; at least one information collection sensing device (30,33,34); treatment application transducers (30) 360° disposed to emit focused or defocused therapeutic ultra-sound waves. The computerized system comprises a parametrizable command device (50) adapted to simulate then command a generation of the therapeutic ultra-sound waves, and to monitor the treatment by thermal MRI images.

Abstract: An intracerebral probe (11) comprising a first part (20) with laser or cryogenic treatment means and further comprising a hollow second part (22) surrounding the first, the first part sliding inside the second part along its longitudinal axis (A); and a plurality of detectors (16) distributed along a portion of the second part (22) in such a manner as to be capable of identifying a brain dysfunction zone along the longitudinal axis (A) of the second part. Advantageously, the probe presents a lateral treatment window enabling the action of the treatment means to be directed. The invention also provides a kit and a treatment system including such a probe, and the use thereof of treating cell dysfunctions that give rise to neurological or psychiatric symptoms.

Abstract: A method and system for making inquiries to a large community via Internet. A requester at his system defines a request for an action or information, and it is propagated by electronic mails through a recursive process. On a Web page, the requester describes his request and specifies a reward for those acting or participating in finding those who acted successfully. Then the requester submits his request and provides the electronic mail addresses of the first persons to propagate to. In response to the submission, the server system generates electronic messages containing the request to the electronic mails identifiers given. The user system receiving one of the electronic message displays an HTML document proposing whether to act on the request or to propagate it to a list of his acquaintances creating a new level below him in the tree. By fulfilling successfully the request, a user may receive a reward.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may either expand spontaneously, in situ, as the patient grows or be expanded by surgical intervention by balloon dilatation. The distensible annuloplasty ring of the invention may be usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The ring may include a solid core of non-elastic material which plastically retains its shape upon natural expansion of the annulus, or after surgical expansion. A discontinuity may be positioned along the anterior side of the ring or around the posterior side.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may either expand spontaneously, in situ, as the patient grows or be expanded by surgical intervention by balloon dilatation. The distensible annuloplasty ring of the invention may be usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The ring may include a solid core of non-elastic material which plastically retains its shape upon natural expansion of the annulus, or after surgical expansion. A discontinuity may be positioned along the anterior side of the ring or around the posterior side.

Abstract: An expandable annuloplasty ring which may either expand spontaneously, in situ, as the patient grows or be expanded by surgical intervention by balloon dilatation. The distensible annuloplasty ring of the invention may be usable in pediatric patients whose growth, subsequent to surgical implantation of the ring, will necessitate subsequent enlargement of the ring to accommodate growth of the annulus. The ring may include relatively expandable segments to enable the enlargement thereof. The ring segments may include engaging teeth which cooperate with notches or slots formed in the tubes to provide some resistance to ring distention, while preventing collapse of the ring in the opposite direction. The teeth may be of different sizes or shapes to regulate the amount of force needed to expand the ring at different stages of the patient's growth.