Institut National De La Sante Et De La Recherche Medicale

Technomed International

Technomed International, S.a.

Other

Thomson-csf

Technomed International Societe Anonyme

Lcc.cice-compagnie Europenne De Composants Electroniques

Bernard Lacruche

Dominique Cathignol

Jean-Louis Mestas

Francois Lacoste

Gerard Hascoet

Michel Lebailly

Jean-Paul Aschwanden

The invention relates to an apparatus for a real-time tracking and imaging of objects. The apparatus comprises of a real-time image forming device, a device for coupling the image forming device with a wave generator generating waves adapted to effect appropriate treatment of said object directed towards a target focus, wherein the coupling device includes a device for displacing the image forming device relative to said target focus. The invention offers the advantage of great positional freedom for the image forming device, enhanced resolution and safe observation of objects within the body of a mammal, and in particular a human being. The object is in particular selected from a concretion, a bone or a tumor, notably a cancerous tumor.

Apparatus for real-time tracking and imaging of objects within the body

Apparatus and method for generating shockwaves for the destruction of

The invention relates to a device for providing improved electrical contact between an electrical conductor and an electrode. The device is characterized in that it comprises a fixed position nut-forming contact element made of an electrically conductive material and including an axial bore through which the electrode passes, the electrical conductor terminating at the nut-forming element in the form of a connection tab. The nut-forming element advantageously comprises two half-disks for facilitating assembly and disassembly while providing improved electrical contact during operation.

Device for improving electrical contact between an electrical conductor

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.

System for initializing positions of target locating arm and device for

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.

Piezoelectric device with reduced negative waves, and use of said device

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.

A method and device for improving the discharge regime between two

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.

Apparatus for generating high frequency shock waves of which the

The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for detecting and correcting the positions of electrodes. The device comprises means for advancing the electrodes to cause them to advance and retract, preferably in an individual and independent manner, together with detector means (10) capable of being disposed at and of being retracted from the focus (F) at which an electric arc or discharge is to be provided between the electrodes (2, 4) and said detector means being suitable for detecting the presence of an electrode at said focus. Position correction then consists in successively bringing each electrode to the focus (F) into contact with said detector means which are advantageously constituted by a rod (12) of an actuator (14), prior to retracting each electrode through a predetermined distance d. The invention makes it possible to detect and correct the positions of electrodes at will, in an entirely simple manner capable of being automated.

Method and apparatus for detecting and correcting the positions of

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.

Device for advancing an electrode-holder element and use thereof in a

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.

Device for advancing an electrode-holder element in an apparatus

A micropackage (1) for encapsulating an electronic component (5), includes a body fitted with a plurality of external connection tabs (2) which pass underneath the body (at 3) and which terminate in tips (17) located underneath the body. The body is made of a material which is not wettable by solder (e.g. plastics or ceramics). At least one groove (15) is formed in the underside of the body in the proximity of said tips (17). The, or each, groove is filled with solder (16) in contact with the tips. This enables the micropackage to be placed on an interconnection substrate (8) having a pattern of conductive tracks (10) matching the external connection tabs (2), and to be soldered thereto by melting the solder so that it is drawn along the tabs by capillarity to occupy the spaces (18) around the points (3) where the tabs (2) touch the tracks (10).

Micropackage for encapsulating an electronic component

The present invention concerns a housing carrier for an integrated circuit. It comprises at least two rows of output conductors disposed at regular intervals on the periphery of a housing along a given pitch, these conductors presenting end parts extending from the housing with a view to electrically connecting the housing on an utilization circuit, and wherein the rows are staggered with respect to one another.

Growing community of inventors

Lyons, France

Bernard Lacruche