Ultrasound imaging device

Ultrasound imaging device comprising

• an assembly of ultrasound transducers, and
• an acoustic coupling layer coating said assembly of ultrasound transducers, a surface of the acoustic coupling layer opposite to said assembly of ultrasound transducers defining a contact surface with an object or a body to be imaged, wherein the acoustic coupling layer is made of a polymer material activatable by means of an electronic circuit for powering and controlling the device, configured to have a first Young's modulus during a phase of acquisition of an ultrasound image and a second Young's modulus when the device is switched off, wherein:
• a) the acoustic coupling layer is made of a thermoactive polymer, the imaging device further comprising a heating device configured to heat the acoustic coupling layer during a phase of acquisition of an ultrasound image, and to interrupt the heating outside of said acquisition phase;
• or
• b) the acoustic coupling layer is made of a photoactive material the imaging device further comprising a light source configured to irradiate the acoustic coupling layer during a phase of acquisition of an ultrasound image, and to be interrupted outside of said acquisition phase;
• or
• c) the acoustic coupling layer is made of an electroactive material, the electronic circuit for powering and controlling the device being configured to apply an electric biasing to the acoustic coupling layer during a phase of acquisition of an ultrasound image, and to interrupt said electric biasing outside of said acquisition phase, said electric biasing being applied be applied via first and second electrodes in contact with the acoustic coupling layer respectively in the vicinity of two opposite lateral edges of the acoustic coupling layer.