Unit 556 Therapeutic Applications
of Ultrasound

Research

INSERM Unit 556 (formerly Unit 281) is a consortium of three interdisciplinary research teams whose focus is the study and optimization of innovative ultrasound therapies. The three teams are oriented toward the development of therapeutic applications.

Team 1, headed by Dominique Cathignol (Research Director-Class 1), investigates the interaction of ultrasound with biological tissue and the associated problems of clinical application. The work is organized around four sub-projects: shock waves and cavitation; intraluminal and interstitial ultrasound applicators; modeling of ultrasound wave propagation; and endoscopic detection of superficial cancers by measurement of auto-fluorescence.

Team 2, headed by Jean-Yves Chapelon (Research Director-Class 2), examines new applications of high-intensity focused ultrasound in the treatment of localized tumors. Four sub-projects are underway to investigate prostate cancer, hepatic metastases, thyroid nodules, and varicosis and vessel occlusions.

Team 3, headed by Yves Angel (Professor-Class 2), specializes in problems of ultrasound modeling and characterization. The team provides theoretical and modeling support for the experimental and clinical work of Teams 1 and 2, notably work toward the development of real-time ultasound beam steering.

Unit 556 is priviliged to have one of the world’s most well-equipped ultrasound laboratories and financial support from EDAP-Technomed and the Rhône-Alpes Futur Foundation.

As shown in the organizational chart, the group includes researchers, teacher-researchers, physicians, doctoral students, engineers, technicians, and support staff, all cooperating closely. Since 1995, numerous students have completed theses under the direction of researchers in Unit 556 (formerly Unit 281).