Abstract:
A Method for measuring heart contractility of a patient, in which a mechanical shear wave is propagated through the heart and observation of the propagation leads to determine a shear wave propagation parameter representative of the elasticity of the heart is disclosed. The value of the propagation parameter at the end of a systole is sampled, which leads to a parameter representative of the end systolic elastance.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a device (1) for the insonification of an environment or medium, which is designed to generate a beam of focussed waves around a point in a so-called focus zone (20), used for imaging the medium or changing the properties of the medium, with the insonification device (1) having an intrinsic or extrinsic support structure on which is installed a network of a predetermined number of ultrasound transducers (12) that are designed to be controlled independently for generation of the focussed wave beam.According to the invention, the transducers (12) used for the generation of the focussed wave beam are located in a homogeneous spatial distribution along at least two concentric spirals (11) that are wound onto a three-dimensional concave area (10) whose shape and size are chosen to allow optimal focusing of the beam at a predetermined focal length, and whose concave side is oriented toward the focus zone (20).
Abstract:
The invention concerns a method for optimizing the focusing of waves in a zone of interest of a medium, with the waves being emitted by a network of sources to the medium through an aberration-inducing element that introduces an initially indeterminate phase shift. The method according to the invention proposes to use M−1 successive modifications of the emitted wave, each giving rise to a perturbation. According to the invention, the M perturbations are measured in the zone of interest at each modification of the phase and/or amplitude distributions, and these measurements are used to deduce optimal focusing characteristics to maximize the perturbation induced in the zone of interest.
Abstract:
Method for measuring a physical parameter in soft tissues of a mammal, in which a mechanical shear wave is propagated through the soft tissues and observation of the propagation leads to determine values of a shear wave propagation parameter. The physical parameter is computed on the basis of these values.
Abstract:
The invention relates to an insonification device (100) comprising a plurality of elementary ultrasonic transducers (110) each comprising at least one electro-acoustic element (111) and distributed on a chassis (120, 140) so that the electro-acoustic elements (111) are distributed on a so-called front surface (120′) of the device (100) intended to be placed facing the medium to be insonified. According to the invention, as each transducer (110) comprises a longitudinal body (113) made in a heat conducting material at the so-called front end of which the electro-acoustic element (111) is placed, the chassis (120, 140) comprises a sealed cooling chamber (130) placed behind the front surface (120′), crossed by the bodies of the transducers (113) and intended to be gone through by a coolant fluid flow.
Abstract:
A Method for measuring heart contractility of a patient, in which a mechanical shear wave is propagated through the heart and observation of the propagation leads to determine a shear wave propagation parameter representative of the elasticity of the heart is disclosed. The value of the propagation parameter at the end of a systole is sampled, which leads to a parameter representative of the end systolic elastance.