Minimally invasive sensing system for measuring rigidity of anatomical matter
First Claim
1. A probe for probing rigidity of anatomical matter, the probe comprising:
- a probe shaft comprising a sense rod, wherein the sense rod has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a probe tip configured to contact the anatomical matter; and
a sensor in mechanical communication with the sense rod, wherein the sensor can at least make a measurement chosen from a group consisting of a measurement of the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a change in the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a rigidity of a material on an interior surface of the anatomical matter, a fluid flow rate in an interior of the anatomical matter, a fluid pressure in an interior of the anatomical matter, a viscosity of a fluid in an interior of the anatomical matter, and any combination of thereof.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus are provided for determining relative and absolute properties of anatomical matter, such as biological tissue including arteries as well as other surgical and medical materials. An illustrative apparatus includes a probe for probing the properties of the anatomical matter. The probe includes a probe shaft having a sense rod, where the sense rod has a proximal end and a distal end, and where the distal end has a probe tip that is configured to contact and probe the anatomical matter. The probe also includes a sensor in mechanical communication with the sense rod, where the sensor is configured to at least measure tissue relative tissue rigidity and/or absolute tissue rigidity, including rigidity of a material on an interior surface of the tissue, a fluid flow rate in an interior of the tissue, a fluid pressure in an interior of the tissue, and/or a viscosity of a fluid in an interior of the tissue. The probe optionally includes a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the probe tip, where the thermal sensor can provide additional data, such as data related to inflammation of the tissue. Methods for probing the rigidity and other physical properties of the anatomical matter are also provided.
134 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A probe for probing rigidity of anatomical matter, the probe comprising:
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a probe shaft comprising a sense rod, wherein the sense rod has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a probe tip configured to contact the anatomical matter; and
a sensor in mechanical communication with the sense rod, wherein the sensor can at least make a measurement chosen from a group consisting of a measurement of the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a change in the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a rigidity of a material on an interior surface of the anatomical matter, a fluid flow rate in an interior of the anatomical matter, a fluid pressure in an interior of the anatomical matter, a viscosity of a fluid in an interior of the anatomical matter, and any combination of thereof. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A method for probing rigidity of anatomical matter, comprising:
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contacting the anatomical matter with a probe comprising a probe shaft comprising a sense rod, wherein the sense rod has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a probe tip configured to contact the anatomical matter, and a sensor in mechanical communication with the sense rod, wherein the sensor can make a measurement chosen from a measurement of the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a change in the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a rigidity of a material on an interior surface of the anatomical matter, a fluid flow rate in an interior of the anatomical matter, a fluid pressure in an interior of the anatomical matter, a viscosity of a fluid in an interior of the anatomical matter, and any combination of thereof, wherein the contacting comprises contacting the anatomical matter with the probe tip;
displacing the probe relative to the surface; and
determining the rigidity of the anatomical matter based on at least a signal generated from the sensor. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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29. A method for probing an interior surface of anatomical matter, comprising:
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contacting the anatomical matter with a probe comprising a probe shaft comprising a sense rod, wherein the sense rod has a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end comprises a probe tip configured to contact the anatomical matter, a first sensor in mechanical communication with the sense rod, wherein the sensor can make a measurement chosen from a measurement of the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a change in the rigidity of the anatomical matter, a measurement of a rigidity of a material on an interior surface of the anatomical matter, a fluid flow rate in an interior of the anatomical matter, a fluid pressure in an interior of the anatomical matter, a viscosity of a fluid in an interior of the anatomical matter, and any combination of thereof, and a temperature sensor in thermal communication with the probe tip, wherein the contacting comprises contacting the anatomical matter with the probe tip;
determining information related to the interior surface of the anatomical matter based on at least a signal generated from the first sensor; and
determining a temperature of the anatomical matter based on at least a signal generated from the temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31)
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Specification