Unit 556 Therapeutic Applications
of Ultrasound

History

In January 2001, our unit was reorganized slightly and renamed. INSERM Unit 281, Research on Treatment of Cell Proliferation by Physical Agents, became Unit 556, Research on Therapeutic Applications of Ultrasound. The reorganization was due, in part, to the success of our previous research and to the need to formulate more advanced goals for our work.

Unit 556, under the direction of Jean-Yves Chapelon, comprises essentially the same researchers, personnel, and equipment as that of the former unit, with the addition of specialists in ultrasound and optimization. Staff expertise remains strong in the areas of ultrasound, light, and bioelectric impedance. The research objective, however, has changed slightly to reflect a somewhat more sophisticated goal: to develop effective, non-invasive applications of ultrasound therapies for the benefit of patients and industry.

Under the direction of Dominique Cathignol, the focus of research in Unit 281 from 1985 to 2000 was the detection and treatment of cell proliferation by physical agents, with a particular emphasis on the physical methods used and their interaction on biological media. During this time, several successful technology transfers took place, resulting in patented and commercialized medical equipment, such as the Sonolith® and Ablatherm® devices by EDAP Technomed and the HemoSonic™ monitoring system by Arrow® International.