PROSTATE GLOVE WITH RECEIVER FIBERS

• US 20140121563A1
• Filed: 10/30/2012
• Published: 05/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MedicaMetrix LLC
• Original Assignee: MedicaMetrix, Inc.
• Inventors: LaFarge, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 9,402,547 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0084 for introduction into the body, e.g. by catheters A61B5/1459 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0086 using infrared radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4381 Prostate evaluation or disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided herein that generally involve measuring a prostate or other object. In some embodiments, a membrane can be sealed over a digit extension to form a closed volume. The closed volume can be inflated via an inflation tube, and a reference pattern can be disposed within the closed volume along with a measurement assembly. In use, a user can put on the glove, position the membrane in proximity to a rectal wall overlying a prostate, and inflate the membrane. As the user slides their finger across the rectal wall, optical fibers in the measurement assembly can move relative to a reference pattern, and a controller can sense light reflected through the fibers from the reference pattern. The controller can calculate or estimate various attributes of the prostate based on the reflected light, such as the palpable surface width or volume.

Claims

1. An examination device, comprising:

a membrane defining an interior volume;

a reference pattern disposed within the interior volume of the membrane;

an illumination fiber extending into the interior volume of the membrane and configured to transmit light to the reference pattern through an output window;

a first receiving fiber extending into the interior volume of the membrane and configured to receive light reflected from the reference pattern through a first input window; and

a second receiving fiber extending into the interior volume of the membrane and configured to receive light reflected from the reference pattern through a second input window.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the output window is formed in a terminal distal end of the illumination fiber, the first input window is formed in a terminal distal end of the first receiving fiber, and the second input window is formed in a terminal distal end of the second receiving fiber.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the output window, the first input window, and the second input window are disposed adjacent to one another in a delta configuration.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the reference pattern includes a plurality of indicia arranged along a measurement axis and wherein the first input window and the second input window are arranged in a line that is substantially parallel to the measurement axis.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of indicia include a series of lines spaced equally along the measurement axis.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the illumination fiber, the first receiving fiber, and the second receiving fiber are configured to transmit near infrared light.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the illumination fiber, the first receiving fiber, and the second receiving fiber each have a diameter of approximately 0.5 mm.

8. A method of measuring an object, comprising:

positioning a reference pattern in proximity to an object, the reference pattern comprising alternating light and dark spaces arranged along a measurement axis;

positioning an optical receiver comprising an illumination fiber and first and second receiver fibers over the reference pattern such that an output window of the illumination fiber is aimed at the reference pattern and such that an input window of the first receiving fiber and an input window of the second receiving fiber are disposed along a line that is substantially parallel to the measurement axis;

moving the optical receiver along the line relative to the reference pattern; and

detecting a change in direction of movement of the optical receiver by measuring the light received by the first receiving fiber in time relation to the light received by the second receiving fiber.