Abstract: It consists of a system for palpation of the rectal face of the prostate that transforms the information collected into objective, reproducible and useful information. The system makes it possible to identify areas of high rigidity reaching the entire peripheral area, transforming a diagnostic maneuver for prostate cancer into an objective one, which until now has been subjective and unreliable. All this in a short space of time, carried out in a less aggressive and more objective way than rectal examination. The device consists of a manual electronic instrument with a handle (1) and a scanning rod (3), which includes at least two concentric force/pressure sensors of different heights, as well as an ultrasonic imaging system which, through means of connection to external devices for analysis/control, allows the data obtained to be analyzed and the anatomy of the prostate being analyzed to be visualized in real time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for the controlled fragmentation of solids by means of acoustic beams, comprising at least one acoustic beam generation unit (100); and one feedback and control unit (200) of said generation unit (100). Advantageously, the acoustic beams generated by the system are acoustic vortex beams; and the feedback and control unit (200) further comprises a feedback subsystem (12), configured to receive the information relating to the fragmented solids and to utilize it so as to adapt the operation of the acoustic beam generation unit (100). Given that the generation of shearing stresses is more efficient using vortex beams, the amplitudes of the ultrasonic field needed to fragment the calculi are much lower than in current extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy techniques. Likewise, the system minimizes unwanted effects on soft tissues surrounding the solid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for obtaining elastic properties of a soft solid by means of quasi-omnidirectional transverse waves generated by a focused ultrasound beam, with a helical phase profile that produces an acoustic vortex that generates a transverse wave front, not only in the direction perpendicular to the ultrasound beam but also in the same direction as the ultrasound beam. The invention also allows control of the transverse wave front generated, which facilitates the carrying out of elastography studies at different frequencies and increases the amplitude of the transverse waves produced, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a lens for an ultrasound apparatus, as well as to an apparatus comprising the lens. The method comprises choosing a source point, providing a treatment volume situated inside a bone tissue model, providing a plurality of nodes distributed inside the treatment volume, and simulating the emission of a spherical wave from each of the nodes. Thus, a simulated wave front is created, in which each spherical wave has an amplitude and a phase, there being at least two nodes with different amplitudes and/or phases. The simulated wave front is received on a receiving surface. On the basis of the processed results, a holographic lens surface is designed, which can generate a wave pattern equivalent to the simulated wave.