Apparatus for measuring mechanical parameters of the prostate and for imaging the prostate using such parameters
First Claim
1. A transrectal probe for measuring mechanical properties of the prostate gland comprising:
- a control handle;
a probe shaft having an axis, said shaft extending from said handle; and
a tip at the end of said shaft for pressing against tissue overlying surfaces of the prostate gland, said tip comprising a position sensor for measuring the position of said tip and an array of force sensors for measuring a pattern of pressure when said tip is pressed against said tissue.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A pressure force sensing array is used to measure the surface stress pattern on soft tissues. The pattern of mechanical stress and the changes in the pattern as a function of the applied pressure, position of the array and time are processed to construct an image of the internal structure of the tissues. The detected parameters and processed image provide information useful in the detection and diagnosis of soft tissue pathologies such as breast and prostate tumors. The present invention relates to an apparatus particularly useful for mechanical imaging of the prostate which comprises a transrectal probe. The probe includes a probe shaft, a position sensor for determining the position of the tip and an array of force sensors for determining the pattern of pressure from tissue deformed by the tip.
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Citations
9 Claims
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1. A transrectal probe for measuring mechanical properties of the prostate gland comprising:
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a control handle; a probe shaft having an axis, said shaft extending from said handle; and a tip at the end of said shaft for pressing against tissue overlying surfaces of the prostate gland, said tip comprising a position sensor for measuring the position of said tip and an array of force sensors for measuring a pattern of pressure when said tip is pressed against said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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Specification