Abstract: Method and system for localizing a region of interest in a medium in which cavitation occurs. Method for localizing a region of interest (R) in a medium (M) in which cavitation occurs, the method comprising the steps consisting in: producing cavitation in the region of interest (R), the cavitation generating an acoustic signal, at each of at least three separate positions, detecting a cavitation signal representative of the acoustic signal of the cavitation, for at least two pairs of cavitation signals, determining a delay between the cavitation signals of each pair of cavitation signals, calculating a localization of the region of interest (R) based on the delays and the positions.

Abstract: This device (2) for generating ultrasonic waves in a target region of a soft solid, includes at least two ultrasound sources (32), light sources (40) distributed around a central axis (X2) of the device (2), for enlightening a zone of the soft solid via subsurface scattering, and a video camera (50), for capturing images of the zone enlightened by the lighting means. The ultrasound source (32), the light sources (40) and the video camera (50) are mounted on a body of the device (20) and oriented toward a common target zone which includes a focal point of the ultrasound sources (32). A boresight of the video camera is aligned on the central axis (X2).

Abstract: Method and system for localizing a region of interest in a medium in which cavitation occurs. Method for localizing a region of interest (R) in a medium (M) in which cavitation occurs, the method comprising the steps consisting in: producing cavitation in the region of interest (R), the cavitation generating an acoustic signal, at each of at least three separate positions, detecting a cavitation signal representative of the acoustic signal of the cavitation, for at least two pairs of cavitation signals, determining a delay between the cavitation signals of each pair of cavitation signals, calculating a localization of the region of interest (R) based on the delays and the positions.

Abstract: This device (2) for generating ultrasonic waves in a target region of a soft solid, includes at least two ultrasound sources (32), light sources (40) distributed around a central axis (X2) of the device (2), for enlightening a zone of the soft solid via subsurface scattering, and a video camera (50), for capturing images of the zone enlightened by the lighting means. The ultrasound source (32), the light sources (40) and the video camera (50) are mounted on a body of the device (20) and oriented toward a common target zone which includes a focal point of the ultrasound sources (32). A boresight of the video camera is aligned on the central axis (X2).

Abstract: The method determines parameters to generate confocal ultrasound beams (B1,B2) inside a medium (4), and uses a device (1) comprising first and second ultrasound means (11,12) and first and second displacement members (13,14) for moving the ultrasound means (11,12). The parameters include signals s1,s2 to the ultrasound means (11,12), and the positions x1,x2 of the ultrasound means (11,12). The parameters are optimized for having a minimum amplitude a1,a2 of the signals s1,s2 and having an acoustic effect inside the medium (4).

Abstract: The method determines parameters to generate confocal ultrasound beams (B1,B2) inside a medium (4), and uses a device (1) comprising first and second ultrasound means (11,12) and first and second displacement members (13,14) for moving the ultrasound means (11,12). The parameters include signals s1,s2 to the ultrasound means (11,12), and the positions x1,x2 of the ultrasound means (11,12). The parameters are optimized for having a minimum amplitude a1,a2 of the signals s1,s2 and having an acoustic effect inside the medium (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an acoustic sensor, and also to the sensor. The sensor comprises a piezoelectric sheet (12) mounted on a support (14) and electrically connected to electrodes (16,18) connected by electrical conductors (20,22) to a measurement device, characterized in that the assembly constituted by the sheet (12) and its support (14) is coated with a one-piece polymerizable coating layer (24) which is preferably electrically insulating, such that the portion (24a) of the coating layer (24) overlying the sheet (12) constitutes a protective layer which is rendered non-detachable or essentially non-detachable from the piezoelectric sheet (12). The method for manufacturing this sensor is extremely simple and inexpensive, and the protective layer is non-detachable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing an electric discharge between two electrodes. This method characterized in that the resistance to the passage of the electric arc, at least between the electrodes, is considerably reduced so as to bring it to a resistance value near to or slightly higher than the critical resistance, by interposing at least between the electrodes, an electrically conductive electrolyte contained in an essentially closed reservoir surrounding the electrodes. The invention makes it possible to improve the rate of discharge of an electric current produced between the electrodes, by eliminating substantially completely the latency time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for manufacturing a device generating shockwaves which are only slightly, if at all, felt be the patients.This shockwave generating device comprises a truncated ellipsoidal reflector (12) which has a ratio (b)/(a) greater than 0.69, and preferably between 0.60 and 0.85 and a connection (14) supplying electric current to the electrodes (6, 8), which connection comprises a capacitor (18) having a capacitance less than or equal to 500 nanofarads.The result is a reduction of the energy density at skin level of the emitted shockwaves which are only slightly, if at all, felt by the patients, thus permitting a treatment without anaesthesia.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and device for discharging an electric current between two electrodes, comprising considerably reducing the resistance to the passage of electric current at least between the electrodes so as to bring it to a resistance value near to or slightly higher than the critical resistance by interposing a conductive electrolyte between electrodes. This improves the rate of discharge of an electric current produced between the electrodes, by eliminating substantially completely the latency time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coordinating the initial positions in three dimensions of a device (10) for triggering and focusing shots and a locating arm (14). The apparatus includes structure (20) for calibrating the distance (D) between the free end (14a) of the locating arm (14) and the device (10) for triggering and focusing shots, the calibration structure (20) preferably comprising a link member (22). The invention improves the accuracy with which a target is located and, therefore, the effectiveness with which it is destroyed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device generating ultrasonic waves focused in a ocal point. Said generator device comprises a plurality of transducer elements arranged externally on a support means for focusing into a focal point, such as a circular dome, and is characterized in that the transducer elements are divided into at least two groups of transducer elements, of which the resonance frequency differs in such a way that the principal positive ultrasonic waves produced by each group add up together and the positive and negative secondary ultrasonic waves are at least partly cancelled, thus reducing significantly the negative waves. This device can be advantageously used for extracorporeal lithotripsy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for improving the dische regime of an electric arc produced between two electrodes. The device is characterized in that it includes means an insulating element (32), preferably spherical in shape, for increasing the resistance to the passage of the electric arc (A) between ends of the electrodes (12, 14). By using the invention it is possible to obtain an arc discharge of the critically damped type. The method and the device are preferably used in shock wave generator apparatus for hydraulic lithotripsy.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for generating high frequency shock waves, which comprises a generator of shock waves by electric discharge between at least two electrodes disposed at least in part in a chamber filled with liquid, and advantageously supplied intermittently with electric current from a source of electric current via a supply connection, the generator device allowing the focusing of the shock waves on a target, and is characterized in that the supply connection for supplying electric current to the electrodes is disposed inside a substantially closed tubular element in order to limit or prevent electro-magnetic leakages. This tubular element is preferably mounted to move in any point in space relatively to the frame and supports the shock wave generating device. Thanks to this apparatus, electro-magnetic leakages are limited or prevented and patients' safety is therefore improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for advancing an electrode-holder elem in particular mounted on a pulse generating apparatus of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,559,227 to Rieber. This advance device comprises a radially projecting element fast with the rear part of the electrode-holder element and member for controlling same, the radially projecting element being formed by a toothed wheel of fixed axial position with respect to the insulating support and controlled in rotation by two pistons mounted symmetrically on either side of the wheel to control a rotation in both directions. This device allows a greater precision of the advance of the electrodes and an increase in the efficiency of destruction of the targets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for advancing an electrode-holder elem in particular mounted on a pulse generating apparatus of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,559,227 to Rieber. This advance device comprises a radially projecting element fast with the rear part of the electrode-holder element and a member for controlling same, the radially projecting element being formed by a toothed wheel of fixed axial position with respect to the insulating support and controlled in rotation by two pistons mounted symmetrically on either side of the wheel to control a rotation in both directions. This device allows a greater precision of the advance of the electrode and an increase in the efficiency of destruction of the targets.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating high frequency shock waves having a truncated ellipsoidal reflector is provided. The apparatus has a cavity which constitutes a chamber for reflecting shock waves, the chamber being filled with a dielectric liquid such as water or oil. The apparatus also has a shock wave generator device which generally has two electrodes and a source for selectively and substantially instantaneously providing an electric voltage to the electrodes. The equipotential screen is fast with the ellipsoidal reflector and is grounded by the support formed by the ellipsoidal reflector. This equipotential screen limits electric leakage and thus renders the apparatus safer in operation for destroying targets such as tissues, biliary concretions, kidney stones, etc.