Abstract: A system to localize a micro-device inside a target body part, including: a micro-device remotely steered and controlled from outside the target body part, a control unit including a memory for storing one ultrasound image of the target body part, one probe being brought in contact with a securing body part of the patient, and at least one tracker connected to the micro-device. The probe and the tracker communicate with ultrasounds, the control unit being thus able to localize, in real time, the tracker within an internal referential defined with regards to the probe, and the control unit displays, on a screen, the ultrasound image and displays, in real time, the localization of the micro-device on the ultrasound image.

Abstract: A device tracking system for monitoring a target body structure and localizing a device inside the target body structure. The device tracking system includes: a control unit, a device having one steering element to be handled outside the target body structure and one steerable element to be introduced inside the target body structure, one probe to be removably secured to the patient, and one tracker to be secured to the steerable element. The control unit stores one ultrasound image of the target body structure. The probe and the tracker communicate, and the control unit is able to localize, in real time, the steerable element. The control unit displays, the stored ultrasound image and displays, in real time, the localisation of the at steerable element on the at least one ultrasound image.

Abstract: A device for preserving a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, notably animal semen or a preservation medium containing embryos or tissue samples, comprises a tube (11) made of a weldable plastics material. The tube allows a service state in which a receiving portion (21) intended to contain the said predetermined dose has a circular cross-section whereas a sealing portion (22) comprises a welded pinch (19) and a transition zone (23). Over at least part of the sealing portion a differentiating edge region (28) gives the external surface of the tube a visual appearance different from the visual appearance of the external surface of the tube outside of the differentiating edge region. A range comprises such a device and a similar device but without the differentiating edge region.

Abstract: A method for determining a flow rate and/or a concentration of particles of a fluid flowing in a chamber, which includes the steps of: producing an ultrasound beam of a given frequency with a first transducer such that all fluid components traveling through an intersection region between the ultrasound beam and the chamber are insonated by the first transducer; receiving Doppler-shifted ultrasound signals generated by the fluid components in the insonated region of the chamber with a second transducer; acquiring the ultrasound signals received by the second transducer during an acquisition time; obtaining a Doppler Power Spectrum of the acquired ultrasound signals; and determining the flow rate and/or the concentration of particles of the fluid by adjustment between, on the one hand, the obtained Doppler Power Spectrum and, on the other hand, a model of the Doppler Power Spectrum.

Abstract: A device for preserving a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, notably animal semen or a preservation medium containing embryos or tissue samples, comprises a tube (11) made of a weldable plastics material. The tube allows a service state in which a receiving portion (21) intended to contain the said predetermined dose has a circular cross-section whereas a sealing portion (22) comprises a welded pinch (19) and a transition zone (23). Over at least part of the sealing portion a differentiating edge region (28) gives the external surface of the tube a visual appearance different from the visual appearance of the external surface of the tube outside of the differentiating edge region. A range comprises such a device and a similar device but without the differentiating edge region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an emulsion comprises drops in an external solution, the drops containing a fluid. The fluid is moved along a first main channel, a portion of the fluid moving in the first main channel is withdrawn via a plurality of microchannels positioned in parallel between the first main channel and a second main channel filled with external solution, the drops are formed by hydrodynamic focusing when the fluid passes from each microchannel into the second main channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which comprises emitting ultrasound into a liquid mixture containing first and second reagents in separate phases initially separated by a liquid precursor-gas barrier, the ultrasound having a high enough energy level to vaporize the precursor gas, such as to contact the reagents and thus to activate a chemical reaction therebetween.

Abstract: A method of high-resolution ultrasound imaging, in which transducers are made to emit ultrasound waves in a field of observations containing micro bubbles, by making the micro bubbles burst one by one in tandem with the emissions of ultrasound waves. At each shot j of an ultrasound wave, raw reverberated signals Sj(i,t) picked up by each transducer i are recorded, and then differential signals Vj(i,t) representative of variations between successive raw signals are determined, a parabolic function Pj(x) is fitted to the differential signals corresponding to each shot j, and then a crest Aj(x0,y0) of this function Pj, corresponding to the position of the micro bubble destroyed between shots j?1 and j, is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which comprises emitting ultrasound into a liquid mixture containing first and second reagents in separate phases initially separated by a liquid precursor-gas barrier, the ultrasound having a high enough energy level to vaporise the precursor gas, such as to contact the reagents and thus to activate a chemical reaction therebetween.

Abstract: A method of high-resolution ultrasound imaging, in which transducers are made to emit ultrasound waves in a field of observations containing micro bubbles, by making the micro bubbles burst one by one in tandem with the emissions of ultrasound waves. At each shot j of an ultrasound wave, raw reverberated signals Sj(i,t) picked up by each transducer i are recorded, and then differential signals Vj(i,t) representative of variations between successive raw signals are determined, a parabolic function Pj(x) is fitted to the differential signals corresponding to each shot j, and then a crest Aj(x0,y0) of this function Pj, corresponding to the position of the micro bubble destroyed between shots j-1 and j, is determined.

Abstract: The invention relates to an emulsion that can be activated by ultrasounds, comprising, in an emulsion in an aqueous solution, microparticles having a diameter of less than 10 ?m and containing an active agent and a gaseous precursor in a liquid form, encapsulated by a first emulsifier. The microparticles contain nanoparticles smaller than 1 ?m, in an emulsion in the gaseous precursor, each nanoparticle comprising an inner liquid that contains the active agent and is encapsulated by a second emulsifier.

Abstract: To mark an area of interest in a target medium, an initially inactivated and ultrasound-activatable optical marker is added to the medium, and then an ultrasound activation beam is emitted, being focused on the area of interest in order to locally activate the marker, which then colors the area of interest.