Method for generation mechanical waves by generation of interfacial acoustic radiation force

1. A method for generation generating and imaging of mechanical waves within a viscoelastic medium, comprising:

a step for utilizing acoustic force generating means for generating an acoustic radiation force within the viscoelastic medium by the application of focalized acoustic waves focused on an interface delimiting two zones having distinct acoustic properties, the acoustic radiation force causing the propagation of precisely generated mechanical waves in the viscoelastic medium; coupled with an imaging step of the medium, the coupling being such that propagation of the mechanical waves generated in the medium is imaged, the step for generating being carried out by application of acoustic waves focused on an interface delimiting two zones having distinct acoustic properties coupling an imaging modality to the acoustic force generating means; and utilizing the coupled imaging modality to provide an image of the propagation of the precisely generated mechanical waves.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the acoustic waves are ultrasound waves.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the interface the acoustic waves on which are focused is an interface present between two zones of distinct acoustic properties present within the viscoelastic medium.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the interface on which the acoustic waves are focused is an artificial membrane placed in contact with the surface of the viscoelastic medium and enclosing a medium known as coupling medium placed between a device for applying the acoustic waves and the surface of the viscoelastic medium, the coupling medium and the viscoelastic medium defining two zones of distinct acoustic properties.

5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the artificial membrane has a composition selected to minimize the acoustic impedance contrast while increasing the amplitude of the mechanical waves.

6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the artificial membrane has thickness selected to minimize the acoustic impedance contrast while increasing the amplitude of the mechanical waves.

7. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the artificial membrane has a non-uniform composition determined spatially so as to increase the amplitude of the mechanical waves in a region of interest of the viscoelastic medium.

8. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the artificial membrane has a non-uniform thickness determined spatially so as to increase the amplitude of the mechanical waves in a region of interest of the viscoelastic medium.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein application of acoustic waves focused on the interface is completed successively at a plurality of points of the interface, this plurality of points and the succession of the focussings being determined so as to increase the amplitude of the mechanical waves in a region of interest of the viscoelastic medium.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method is coupled with a method of ultrasound treatment for monitoring the effect of the treatment.

11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the ultrasound treatment method is suitable for being controlled as a function of the results of the imaging step of the medium.

12. An artificial membrane having a composition and/or a thickness selected to minimize the acoustic impedance contrast while increasing the amplitude of the mechanical waves intended to be placed partially in contact with the surface of a viscoelastic medium and intended to enclose a medium known as coupling medium placed between a device for generation of acoustic waves and a viscoelastic medium to serve as interface during execution of a method according to one of the preceding claims.