Device for forming an effective sensor-to-tissue contact

• US 20070032739A1
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dune Medical Devices Ltd. (Dilon Technologies LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dune Medical Devices Ltd. (Dilon Technologies LLC)
• Inventors: Geltner, Iddo, Hashimshony, Dan, Cohen, Gil
• Granted Patent: US 8,721,565 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/552
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4381 Prostate evaluation or disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6834 using vacuum

Abstract

A device and method for tissue characterization are provided, the device comprising: a structure; a first mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to said structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and a second mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue, wherein at least a component of said first force is in opposition to at least a component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, bringing about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.

Claims

1. A device for tissue characterization, comprising:

a structure;

a first mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to said structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and

a second mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue,

wherein at least a component of said first force is in opposition to at least a component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, bringing about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said effective contact is a contact level of 95%

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said effective contact is a contact level of 99%

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said effective contact is a contact level of 99.8%

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a sensor of a wavelength λ

, and an average distance t1, between external-most surfaces of the tissue and said sensor is such that t1<

λ

/3.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a sensor of a wavelength λ

, and an average distance t1, between external-most surfaces of the tissue and said sensor is such that t1<

λ

/10.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is a sensor of a wavelength λ

, and an average distance t1, between external-most surfaces of the tissue and said sensor is such that t1<

λ

/100.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein an average distance t1, between external-most surfaces of the tissue and said sensor, is less than 500 Angstroms.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein an average distance t1, between external-most surfaces of the tissue and said sensor, is less than 50 Angstroms.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein an average distance t1, between external-most surfaces of the tissue and said sensor, is less than 5 Angstroms.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said first mechanism is a suction source, for fixing and substantially immobilizing the tissue, by suction.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said first mechanism is a gripping device, for gripping the tissue.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein said second mechanism is a piston, configured for sliding proximally and distally, and containing said sensor at a proximal end thereof.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein said piston is further configured for vibrating laterally, as it slides proximally, to provide a gliding-sweeping motion against the tissue.

15. The device of claim 13, wherein said piston is configured to slide proximally a predetermined distance.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein said piston is configured to slide proximally until a predetermined force is reached.

17. The device of claim 13, and further including a spring, for regulating said second force.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, an MRI sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an X-ray sensor, an ultrasound sensor, a temperature sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

19. A system for tissue characterization, comprising:

a device for tissue characterization, which comprises;

a structure;

a first mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to said structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and

a second mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue,

wherein at least a component of said first force is in opposition to at least a component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, thus bringing about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue; and

a signal analyzer, in signal communication with said sensor.

20. The system of claim 19, and further including a signal generator.

21. The system of claim 19, and further including a computer, in communication with said signal analyzer.

22. A method for tissue characterization, comprising:

providing a device for tissue characterization, which comprises;

a structure;

a first mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to said structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and

a second mechanism, associated with said structure, configured for pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue,

wherein at least a component of said first force is in opposition to at least a component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, thus bringing about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue;

fixing the tissue to said structure, thus substantially immobilizing the tissue; and

pressing said sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting said second force on the immobilized tissue, wherein at least said component of said first force is in opposition to at least said component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, thus bringing about said effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.

23. A method of tissue characterization, comprising:

exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to a structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and

pressing a sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue, wherein at least a component of said first force is in opposition to at least a component of said second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against said sensor, and forcing said sensor against the immobilized tissue, thus bringing about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.