Real time mechanical imaging of the prostate
First Claim
1. A method for real time mechanical imaging the prostate comprising the steps of:
- inserting a transrectal probe into a rectum to a predetermined depth, said transrectal probe having a tactile sensor with a linear dimension exceeding an axial length of an average prostate in the range of about 25 mm to about 45 mm;
acquiring pressure response data and motion data from said tactile sensor during movement of said tactile sensor along predetermined trajectories overlaying said prostate;
real time calculating and displaying of one or more pressure profiles which characterize a cross-section of said prostate;
calculating a pattern of pressure gradient responses from said pressure response data and motion data;
synthesizing a mechanical image of the prostate and its inner structure from said pressure gradient responses; and
displaying said one or more pressure profiles and said mechanical image.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for real time mechanically imaging the prostate with a transrectal probe. In the method, the prostate image is synthesized and displayed in real time during the examination process. In a preferred embodiment, a compact prostate examination device comprises a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head with a tactile sensor longer than the axial length of an average prostate, an electronic unit and a display. As the pressure sensing part of the head is pressed against and moved over the prostate, it generates signals characterizing mechanical structure of the examined area. An accelerometer based motion tracking system is mounted in the probe for determining the position of the pressure transducer array during prostate examination. The electronic unit incorporated into the handle of the probe receives the pressure and motion data to calculate mechanical and geometrical features of the prostate and displays it on the display.
183 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for real time mechanical imaging the prostate comprising the steps of:
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inserting a transrectal probe into a rectum to a predetermined depth, said transrectal probe having a tactile sensor with a linear dimension exceeding an axial length of an average prostate in the range of about 25 mm to about 45 mm;
acquiring pressure response data and motion data from said tactile sensor during movement of said tactile sensor along predetermined trajectories overlaying said prostate;
real time calculating and displaying of one or more pressure profiles which characterize a cross-section of said prostate;
calculating a pattern of pressure gradient responses from said pressure response data and motion data;
synthesizing a mechanical image of the prostate and its inner structure from said pressure gradient responses; and
displaying said one or more pressure profiles and said mechanical image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
adjusting of an initial pressing site to locate the prostate under a center of said tactile sensor.
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4. The method of claim 1 wherein said predetermined trajectories are formed of at least one radial trajectory passing through the sphincter along the axis of rectum and at least one lateral trajectory passing from one side of the prostate to the other.
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5. The method of claim 2 wherein said periodic pressing is accompanied with oscillating said tactile sensor along the probe axis.
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6. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure profiles are displayed in real time as a function of the deformation of prostate produced by said tactile sensor pressed against the prostate.
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7. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure profiles are displayed as a function of the force applied to said tactile sensor while pressing against the prostate.
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8. The method of claim 1 wherein said motion data is obtained from an accelerometer based motion tracking system and position of said tactile sensor relative to the prostate is calculated by the step of integrating linear and angular accelerations.
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9. The method of claim 1 wherein said motion data is obtained from a magnetometer based motion tracking system.
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10. The method of claim 1 wherein said pressure profiles are displayed as a plurality of color coded lines which gradually disappear losing their brightness and contrast.
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11. The method of claim 10 wherein said color coded lines disappear with a time constant of about 1 second.
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12. A device for real time mechanical imaging of the prostate comprising:
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a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head with tactile sensor connected by a shaft to a handle, said tactile sensor having a linear dimension exceeding an axial length of an average prostate in the range of about 25 mm to about 45 mm;
an electronic unit receiving pressure response data and motion data from said tactile sensor;
means for real time calculating pressure profiles which characterize cross-section of the prostate from said pressure response data and motion data;
means for calculating mechanical images of the prostate from said pressure response data and motion data;
a display coupled to said handle for displaying said pressure profiles and said mechanical images of the prostate and its inner structure; and
a control wheel mounted on said handle, said control wheel operating to control said electronic unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method for real time mechanical imaging tissues or glands comprising the steps of:
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applying a probe to said tissues or glands or adjacent to said tissues or glands;
acquiring pressure response data and motion data from said tactile sensor during movement of said tactile sensor along predetermined trajectories;
real time calculating and displaying of one or more pressure profiles which characterize a cross-section of said tissues or glands;
real time calculating a pattern of pressure gradient responses from said pressure response data and motion data;
real time synthesizing a mechanical image of said tissues or glands and its inner structure from said pressure gradient responses; and
real time displaying of said one or more pressure profiles and said mechanical image during examination of said tissue or gland. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A system for real time mechanical imaging tissues or glands comprising the steps of:
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means for applying a probe to said tissues or glands or adjacent to said tissues or glands;
means for acquiring pressure response data and motion data from said tactile sensor during movement of said tactile sensor along predetermined trajectories;
means for real time calculating and displaying of one or more pressure profiles which characterize a cross-section of said tissues or glands;
means for calculating a pattern of pressure gradient responses from said pressure response data and motion data;
means for synthesizing a mechanical image of said tissues or glands and its inner structure from said pressure gradient responses; and
means for displaying said one or more pressure profiles and said mechanical image during examination of said tissue or gland. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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Specification