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 object of the invention relates to an apparatus for the thermal treatment of biological tissues by means of the application of focused ultrasound waves, the apparatus including: a probe movement system (7) for ensuring: the moving of the focal zone (Z) along a first direction (X), from a distal point (D) of the treatment zone (T) to a proximal point (P) of the treatment zone, in order to create a sequence (S) of elementary treatment zones; the juxtaposition of sequences (S, S1, S2, S3, . . . ) of elementary treatment zones in order to completely cover the treatment zone (T); a control circuit (6) controlling the probe (2), in order to ensure that the ultrasonic power delivered to the focal zone decreases between the distal point (D) and the proximal point (P) of the treatment zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the treatment of a brain affection, which comprises at least one implantable generator (4) made of non-ferromagnetic material comprising a casing (7), an ultrasound generating treating device (11) positioned into said casing to induce brain affection treatment by emission of ultrasound waves, and means for fastening the implantable casing into the skull. The apparatus further comprises a power controller (PwC) to supply electricity to the treating device of the implantable generator and to set and control its working parameters, and connecting means (6) to connect the power controller and the treating device of the implantable generator. A method for treating a brain affection with such an apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating an ocular pathology, including a ring (1) comprising a proximal end intended to be in contact with an eye of a patient, and a distal end intended to receive ultrasound generating means (2), wherein the device additionally includes at least one reflector (3) for reflecting and focusing ultrasound generated by the generation means.

Abstract: An interstitial ultrasound thermal ablation applicator for conformal treatment of inhomogeneous tumor lesions includes: a body having a longitudinal axis, the body defining a hollow central channel along the longitudinal axis; and a plurality of CMUT array transducers mounted on the body, arranged side by side to form a cylindrical shape, having azimuth plans parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body, each of the plurality of CMUT array transducers having elevation dimensions predetermined to steer emitted ultrasonic waves to obtain a conformal volume treatment of the tumor lesions. An electronic driving method for driving an applicator having multiple independent transducer elements arranged in rows and columns includes: controlling focal parameters of each row and column of transducer elements; and controlling a contribution of each row and column of transducer elements in a manner to provide a conformal ablated volume.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating ultrasonic waves focused on a focal zone (5) in order to carry out biological lesions, comprising the activation of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements (3). According to the invention: a target zone, in which homogenization of the supply of energy of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic transducer elements is desired, is chosen, the focusing effect and the acoustic attenuations of the ultrasonic waves on their path between the target zone and the ultrasonic transducer elements (3) are determined, the focusing effect and the acoustic attenuations of the ultrasonic waves are compensated, with ultrasonic transducer elements (3) at least some of which have non-identical emission surfaces such that in the target zone, the supply of energy of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the different ultrasonic transducer elements (3) is more or less identical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a therapeutic probe comprising a transducer (2) for focusing the ultrasonic waves into a first focal area (Z1), the emission surface (8) of which has, within a profile plane (Pp), two concave curve segments (s1) which have a finite length and which are symmetrical relative to a plane of symmetry (A1) or to an axis of symmetry (S). According to the invention: within the profile plane (Pp), both concave curve segments (s1) extend along arcs of first and second non-coincident circles that intersect each other. each curve segment (s1) has an acoustic axis (a) intersecting the axis of symmetry (S) or the plane of symmetry (A1) between the first focal area (Z1) and the emission surface (8), the acoustic axes (a) being spaced apart from each other such that the beams from the emission surface (8) intersect each other so as to create a second focal area (Z2) located in situated between the first focal area (Z1) and the emission surface (8).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treatment of an ocular pathology, the device comprising at least one eye ring wherein the proximal end of said eye ring is suitable to be applied onto the globe and means to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring, said means to generate ultrasound beam presenting a concave segment shape conformed along a single curvature corresponding to a single direction wherein the concavity is designed to be tuned towards the eyeglobe.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treating an ocular pathology, including a ring (1) comprising a proximal end intended to be in contact with an eye of a patient, and a distal end intended to receive ultrasound generating means (2), wherein the device additionally includes at least one reflector (3) for reflecting and focusing ultrasound generated by the generation means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a probe that comprises a piezoelectric therapy transducer having an acoustic axis BB?, and an imaging transducer having an imaging plane, in which the therapy transducer and imaging transducer are mounted in a head which is itself connected to a guide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for treatment of an ocular pathology, the device comprising at least one eye ring (1) wherein the proximal end of said eye ring (1) is suitable to be applied onto the globe and means (2) to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring (1), said means to generate ultrasound beam presenting a concave segment shape conformed along a single curvature corresponding to a single direction wherein the concavity is designed to be tuned towards the eyeglobe.

Abstract: A device for treatment of an ocular pathology characterized in that it comprises at least one eye ring (1) wherein the proximal end of said eye ring (1) is suitable to he applied onto the globe and means (2,17) to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring (1), said means to generate ultrasound beam presenting a concave segment shape conformed along a single curvature corresponding to a single direction wherein the concavity is designed to be tuned towards the eyeglobe.

Abstract: A therapeutic endocavity probe for treating tissues in particular of the prostate by emission of focused ultrasonic waves, including a support forming a guide tube extended by a mounting head for at least one therapy transducer component with an active surface emitting focused ultrasonic waves and having a spherical front of a total surface area in which a surface window is laid out for mounting an imaging transducer. According to the invention, the therapy transducer component has a front face having a total surface area equal to the sum of the active surface area equal to 1,500 mm2±200 mm2, and of the surface area of the window for letting through the imaging transducer, the ratio of the surface area of the window over the active surface area of the therapy transducer component being less than or equal to 0.45.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of treating an ocular pathology by generating high intensity focused ultrasound onto at least one eye's area, said method comprises at least the following steps of: —positioning onto the eye a device capable of directing high intensity focused ultrasound onto at least one annular segment, —and generating high intensity focused ultrasound energy onto said segment to treat at least one annular segment in the eye. Another embodiment of the invention concerns a device for treatment of an ocular pathology comprising at least one eye ring (1) wherein the proximal end of said eye ring (1) is suitable to be applied onto the globe and circular means (2,17) to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring (1) capable of treating the whole circumference of the eye in one step.

Abstract: A method for treating a varicose vein comprises heating a dehiscent portion of a wall of the vein so as to produce a localized retraction of collagen. Heating may be via application of high-intensity focused ultrasound energy.

Abstract: The inventive ultrasound treating device comprises a first processing transducer set (11) for transmitting a beam of high-intensity ultrasound waves to a treatable area (3), wherein said beam comprises an aspheric wavefront and forms a focal spot (6) on the treatable area elongated and inclined with respect to the direction of the ultrasound wave propagation and the focal spot (6) length is less than the length of the transducer (11). The inventive device is particularly suitable for treating an elongated area such as vein portions enveloping a pathological valve.

Abstract: A therapy apparatus for treating tissues by emission of focused ultrasound waves, includes a probe having a transducer formed by ultrasound elements distributed in several categories (N1 to NM) on a face for emission of focused ultrasound waves which is a surface of revolution generated by the rotation of a curve segment around an axis of symmetry, with the categories of ultrasound elements define independent and substantially contiguous focal volumes, and a control circuit including a signal generator for independently activating, alternately and substantially consecutively, the ultrasound emitter categories in such a way as to ensure continuous insonification in a ring shape originating from different categories of ultrasound emitters.

Abstract: A surgical coagulation instrument having a planar ultrasound transducer without a membrane, mounted in the region of an end of a câble is provided The instrument additionally has a fluid circuit. It is useful for intra-cavity or laparoscopic treatment, without the use of the membrane. The fluid acts simultaneously as an ultrasound coupling fluid and probe cooling fluid.

Abstract: A therapeutic endocavity probe for treating tissues in particular of the prostate by emission of focused ultrasonic waves, including a support forming a guide tube extended by a mounting head for at least one therapy transducer component with an active surface emitting focused ultrasonic waves and having a spherical front of a total surface area in which a surface window is laid out for mounting an imaging transducer. According to the invention, the therapy transducer component has a front face having a total surface area equal to the sum of the active surface area equal to 1,500 mm2 ±200 mm2, and of the surface area of the window for letting through the imaging transducer, the ratio of the surface area of the window over the active surface area of the therapy transducer component being less than or equal to 0.45.

Abstract: The inventive ultrasound treating device comprises a first processing transducer set (11) for transmitting a beam of high-intensity ultrasound waves to a treatable area (3), wherein said beam comprises an aspheric wavefront and forms a focal spot (6) on the treatable area elongated and inclined with respect to the direction of the ultrasound wave propagation and the focal spot (6) length is less than the length of the transducer (11). The inventive device is particularly suitable for treating an elongated area such as vein portions enveloping a pathological valve.