Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining and/or monitoring the state of health and/or balance of the intestinal microbiota of an individual, said method being characterised by the steps of: typing the bacterial populations present in a sample isolated from an individual, preferably a faecal sample, said populations being representative of the intestinal microbiota of the individual; and measuring a series of indices of the microbiota which provide information on the individual's state of health. The indices are the diversity index, the index of anti-inflammatory and/or immunomodulating potential, the index of association between said intestinal microbiota and at least one pathological condition, and the index of association between said intestinal microbiota and systemic aging. All the indices are calculated compared to a reference microbiota consisting of that of a population of healthy individuals.

Abstract: A description is given of a method of spectral analysis of a radio frequency ultrasonic signal reflected by a structure subjected to echographic examination, comprising the steps of: a) transmitting an ultrasonic excitation signal into a portion of said structure under examination; b) receiving a radio frequency response signal from said structure; c) applying a time-frequency transform to said radio frequency response signal, dividing the radio frequency response signal into a plurality of frequency bands; d) calculating a local spectral parameter from the values of the time-frequency transform.

Abstract: The method decomposes the radio frequency signal into sub-bands by filtering, for example with a time-frequency transform. From the coefficients acquired through decomposition a matrix of spectral coefficients is obtained, from which local estimators are obtained, constituted in particular by the coefficients of the interpolating polynomials. The statistical distribution of the local estimators is evaluated in windows overlaid on the ultrasound frame. The conformation of the distribution histograms of the spectral coefficients provides a parameter which, combined with the local estimators, provides weighted local estimators, which contain spectral information useful in the identification of specific structures in the organ subjected to ultrasound analysis.

Abstract: The method comprises the phases of: sending a series of excitation ultrasonic signals to a volume being investigated, by means of an array of transducers aligned in a transverse direction (x), said ultrasonic signals propagating in depth in said volume according to a direction of propagation (y); acquiring, by means of said transducers, signals reflected from reflectors located in the volume being investigated; performing on said reflected signals a transform in the transverse direction from a spatial domain (x,y), defined by said transverse direction (x) and by said direction of propagation (y), to a first transformed domain; applying, in the transformed domain, a two-dimensional transformation, to straighten every curved image (Ip1, Ip2, Ip3) of a reflector in said volume being investigated and make it essentially orthogonal to the direction of propagation (y); compressing, in the transverse direction (x) each of the straightened curves (Im1, Im2, Im3) to concentrate said straightened image in a zone center

Abstract: What is described is an echographic examination method, in which an echographic contrast medium or agent, injected into a blood vessel and comprising a plurality of microbubbles, is sent by means of the blood circulation to a part of a living body under investigation and said part is struck by an ultrasonic excitation signal at an excitation frequency (f0), and in which the microbubbles struck by the ultrasonic excitation signal generate an echo signal at a frequency different from the excitation frequency, said signal being used to, generate an image. The excitation signal exerts a pressure of 30 kPa to 1 MPa on said microbubbles, the microbubbles emitting a stable signal at not less than one subharmonic of the excitation frequency, said stable signal being processed to generate images.

Abstract: The method comprises the phases of: sending a series of excitation ultrasonic signals to a volume being investigated, by means of an array of transducers aligned in a transverse direction (x), said ultrasonic signals propagating in depth in said volume according to a direction of propagation (y); acquiring, by means of said transducers, signals reflected from reflectors located in the volume being investigated; performing on said reflected signals a transform in the transverse direction from a spatial domain (x,y), defined by said transverse direction (x) and by said direction of propagation (y), to a first transformed domain; applying, in the transformed domain, a two-dimensional transformation, to straighten every curved image (Ip1, Ip2, Ip3) of a reflector in said volume being investigated and make it essentially orthogonal to the direction of propagation (y); compressing, in the transverse direction (x) each of the straightened curves (Im1, Im2, Im3) to concentrate said straightened image in a zone center

Abstract: A description is given of a method of spectral analysis of a radio frequency ultrasonic signal reflected by a structure subjected to echographic examination, comprising the steps of: a) transmitting an ultrasonic excitation signal into a portion of said structure under examination; b) receiving a radio frequency response signal from said structure; c) applying a time-frequency transform to said radio frequency response signal, dividing the radio frequency response signal into a plurality of frequency bands; d) calculating a local spectral parameter from the values of the time-frequency transform.

Abstract: The opto-acoustic generator of ultrasound waves comprises an optical fiber associated to a laser-energy source, and an opto-acoustic transducer which is applied to said fiber and is designed to be impinged upon by the laser beam and to absorb partially the energy, converting it into thermal energy, thus bringing about the formation of ultrasound waves by the thermo-acoustic effect. Said opto-acoustic transducer consists of a layer or film containing prevalently graphite, which is applied on a surface of said optical fiber.

Abstract: The opto-acoustic generator of ultrasound waves comprises an optical fiber associated to a laser-energy source, and an opto-acoustic transducer which is applied to said fiber and is designed to be impinged upon by the laser beam and to absorb partially the energy, converting it into thermal energy, thus bringing about the formation of ultrasound waves by the thermo-acoustic effect. Said opto-acoustic transducer consists of a layer or film containing prevalently graphite, which is applied on a surface of said optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of analyzing an ultrasonic signal is described.