| abstract |
A device for the treatment or prevention of valvular disease, the device comprising: an ultrasound probe (2) located outside a heart (H) of a patient (P) capable of generating ultrasound waves focused inside the heart, and suitable for generating a pressure at the focal point sufficient to cause cavitation, an imaging device (4) for mapping in real time a treatment area (C) of a patient's heart valve, the treatment area comprising at least one leaflet of the heart valve, - A controller (5, 7, 8) configured to drive the ultrasound probe to emit a sequence of focused ultrasound waves, the controller being further configured to manipulate the focused ultrasound waves to scan the entire treatment area to soften tissue in the treatment area. A method for treating or preventing valvular disease performed using the device. |