System for the ablation or the monitoring of a zone of the heart by ultrasounds and associated methods

A method for ablating a zone of a heart by generation of a beam of focussed ultrasound signals, the method comprising:

• acquiring at least one frequency of an electrocardiogram of the heart;
• determining at least one position of a targeted zone in the heart;
• generating a beam of focussed ultrasound signals in the targeted zone of which:
• an amplitude is continuous and is comprised in the range of values [1-100 MPa];
• a duration of application of the focussed beam being applied over a period above 1 ms;
• controlling a position of the focussed zone of the beam on the position of the targeted zone calculated in real time by a positioning system;
• performing an active monitoring in real time of a temperature in the focussed zone or a zone neighbouring the focussed zone from an acquisition of image(s).

A system for the ablation or the monitoring of a zone of a heart by ultrasounds comprising:

• a measuring system configured to measure an electrical activity of the heart to acquire an electrocardiogram;
• a phased array configured to generate a beam of focussed ultrasound signals focussed on at least one targeted zone of the heart;
• an imaging system configured to determine an image of a transcostal wall projected in an image plane of the phased array by taking into consideration a position and a direction of the phased array and making it possible to deactivate elements of the phased array in accordance with a position of said elements with regard to a position of the projected image of the transcostal wall;
• a positioning system coupled to the phased array in such a way as to control a position of at least one focussed zone of at least one beam of focussed ultrasound signals on a position of the at least one targeted zone;
• a monitoring system configured to measure a temperature and a tissue deformation in the targeted zone;
• a device configured to measure a level of cavitation in the targeted zone.