Abstract: An elastography device comprising: a probe that comprises a protruding part to be applied against the body of a subject, a low frequency vibrator arranged to move the protruding part, at least one ultrasound emitter and one ultrasound receiver; and an electronic unit. The electronic unit is adapted to alternatively control the elastography device so that it operates (a) in a guidance mode to determine whether the probe is correctly positioned in front of a region of the body to be probed to carry out a measurement of a mechanical property of the probed region and (b) in a measurement. In the guidance mode, the vibrator delivers a plurality of successive probing pulses (PRB), each being a transient, low frequency mechanical pulse, and the electronic unit determines a propagation quality indicator (Q) representative of an aptitude of the probed region to transmit the probing pulse.

Abstract: A system for characterizing tissue includes a probe that delivers a continuous and periodic mechanical vibration to a tissue of a subject; an ultrasound emitter that emits a sequence of ultrasound shots and an ultrasound receiver that receives corresponding echo signals to track how the tissue is moved by the periodic mechanical vibration delivered to the tissue; and a control module programmed to provide homogeneity information to an operator of the system, the homogeneity information being determined from at least some of the echo signals and being representative of the ability of the tissue to transmit elastic waves and of the homogeneity of the tissue with respect to the propagation of elastic waves.

Abstract: A system for characterizing tissue includes a probe that delivers a continuous and periodic mechanical vibration to a tissue of a subject; an ultrasound emitter that emits a sequence of ultrasound shots and an ultrasound receiver that receives corresponding echo signals to track how the tissue is moved by the periodic mechanical vibration delivered to the tissue; and a control module programmed to provide homogeneity information to an operator of the system, the homogeneity information being determined from at least some of the echo signals and being representative of the ability of the tissue to transmit elastic waves and of the homogeneity of the tissue with respect to the propagation of elastic waves.

Abstract: A system for characterizing tissue includes a probe that delivers a continuous and periodic mechanical vibration to a tissue of a subject; an ultrasound emitter that emits a sequence of ultrasound shots and an ultrasound receiver that receives corresponding echo signals to track how the tissue is moved by the periodic mechanical vibration delivered to the tissue; and a control module programmed to provide homogeneity information to an operator of the system, the homogeneity information being determined from at least some of the echo signals and being representative of the ability of the tissue to transmit elastic waves and of the homogeneity of the tissue with respect to the propagation of elastic waves.