Abstract: A device (1) and method to treat a patient (P) with High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), wherein the device (1) performs a movement of an imaging device (4) along a longitudinal axis (8a, 8b) while acquiring images.

Abstract: A method of performing a heat treatment of blood vessels (6), such as varicose veins, in order to coagulate the vessel walls (2). Bubbles (4) are selectively created in the blood (3), such that the formation of blood coagula is avoided during the treatment due to cavitation (5).

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and a device to treat vessels. In particular, the invention is directed at a method to occlude varicose veins while avoiding the formation of bubble clouds in the tissue surrounding the vessel and/or their interaction with the ultrasound beam. The invention is further directed at a device adapted to perform the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) and a method to avoid artefacts in second circulation mode imaging during ultrasound treatments of the human body (P). Specifically and amongst other effects, the invention provides a way to adequately control, in particular turn on and off, the fluid circulation (12) in a cavity (7) such as to avoid artefacts while still enabling practical imaging.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of non-invasively treating a varicose vein (2), for example the Great saphenous vein (GSV), wherein the vein or the vein system to be treated is divided into sections (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) with a length (11) separated by a spacing (s1). The sections can be pre-defined before the treatment, for example to target a junction (4) to a tributary (3), or with respect to the sapheno-femoral junction (8), and can vary in length and location, for example to avoid a sensitive structure (7) such as nerves.

Abstract: A method of localizing and preferably visualizing a vein within a limb, preferably within a leg, of a patient, with an imaging device. The method includes the following steps of: fully or partially collapsing at least a segment of the vein to be localized at a collapsing site during a collapsing step; inducing blood flow within the vein at the collapsing site, while the segment of the vein is fully or partially collapsed, during a pumping step; and visualizing the collapsing site with the imaging device in an imaging step, at least during the pumping step.

Abstract: An ultrasound treatment device (1) which comprises a probe head (2) that comprises an ultrasound transducer (3) and an imaging device (4), a deformable coupling balloon (5) with a cavity (6), between the probe head (2) and the coupling balloon (5) filled with a coupling liquid (7), a pressure sensor (9) for determining the pressure of the coupling liquid (7) in the cavity (6), a fluid control system (10), and a controller unit (13). The device (1) is adapted to switch between at least first and second operating modes (I, II). In the first operating mode (I), the pressure of the coupling liquid (7) is maintained at a first pressure value (P1), and, in the second operating mode (II), the pressure of the coupling liquid (7) is maintained to a second pressure value (P2) which is higher than the first pressure value (P1).

Abstract: A device for therapeutic treatment which comprises a HIFU transducer for generating and transmitting HIFU pulses to a target. The HIFU transducer is operable in at least a probing mode, during a probing phase, and in a treatment mode, during a treatment phase. In the probing phase the HIFU transducer is operated with at least one probing operation characteristic. The probing operation characteristic includes emission of a pulse with a focal point. During the treatment phase, the HIFU transducer operates with at least one treatment operation characteristic different from the probing operation characteristic. The device further comprises a detector designed to detect a change of tissue properties caused by the HIFU pulses in the target during the probing phase. The device further comprises a computer or microprocessor for determining at least one probing parameter necessary to achieve the change of tissue properties detected by the detector during the probing phase.

Abstract: A device for therapeutic treatment which comprises a HIFU transducer for generating and transmitting HIFU pulses to a target. The HIFU transducer is operable in at least a probing mode, during a probing phase, and in a treatment mode, during a treatment phase. In the probing phase the HIFU transducer is operated with at least one probing operation characteristic. The probing operation characteristic includes emission of a pulse with a focal point. During the treatment phase, the HIFU transducer operates with at least one treatment operation characteristic different from the probing operation characteristic. The device further comprises a detector designed to detect a change of tissue properties caused by the HIFU pulses in the target during the probing phase. The device further comprises a computer or microprocessor for determining at least one probing parameter necessary to achieve the change of tissue properties detected by the detector during the probing phase.