Abstract: A device (D1) is intended for producing images of heating tines (HT) coupled to a needle (N) positioned near a chosen tissue part of tissues located in an area of a body. This device (D1) comprises i) a means (ME) for estimating tissue thermal strains, induced by means of the heating tines (HT) into the tissue surrounding the chosen tissue part, from received ultrasound image data, and for deducing relative positions of these heating tines (HT) to the chosen tissue part from the estimated tissue thermal strains, and ii) a means (MC) for combining the received ultrasound image data with position data representative of the deduced relative positions to produce images of the area with thermal strain information showing the relative positions of the heating tines (HT) to the chosen tissue part.

Abstract: A method comprises acquiring at least one magnetic resonance image of a placenta using an ultra-short echo time (UTE) pulse sequence; and processing the at least one magnetic resonance image to generate information indicative of placental calcification. In apparatus embodiments, a gynecology module (20) comprises a digital processor configured to cause a magnetic resonance imaging scanner (10, 12, 14, 16) to acquire at least one magnetic resonance image of a placenta and to process the at least one magnetic resonance image to generate information indicative of placental calcification.

Abstract: A device (D1) is intended for producing images of heating tines (HT) coupled to a needle (N) positioned near a chosen tissue part of tissues located in an area of a body. This device (D1) comprises i) a means (ME) for estimating tissue thermal strains, induced by means of the heating tines (HT) into the tissue surrounding the chosen tissue part, from received ultrasound image data, and for deducing relative positions of these heating tines (HT) to the chosen tissue part from the estimated tissue thermal strains, and ii) a means (MC) for combining the received ultrasound image data with position data representative of the deduced relative positions to produce images of the area with thermal strain information showing the relative positions of the heating tines (HT) to the chosen tissue part.

Abstract: An acoustic device is disclosed having a variably refracting acoustic fluid interface including the boundary between two separate fluid media, means for directing acoustic waves onto the interface, and an acoustic generator or transducer located in one of the fluid media with the acoustic generator having an impedance that is substantially equal to the one said fluid media to minimize signal loss and reflection.