Device for forming an effective sensor-to-tissue contact

• US 8,721,565 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2005
• Issued: 05/13/2014
• 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: Hashimshony, Dan, Cohen, Gil, Geltner, Iddo
• Primary Examiner(s): Towa, Rene
• Assistant Examiner(s): LLOYD, EMILY M
• Application Number:
  US11/196,732
• Publication Number:
  US 20070032739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,204 Days
• Field of Search: 600/587, 600/363
• US Class Current: 600/587
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4381 Prostate evaluation or disorder diagnosis
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6834 using vacuum

Abstract

A device for tissue characterization, comprises a structure; a first mechanism, associated with the structure, configured for exerting a first force on a tissue, for fixing the tissue to the structure, so as to substantially immobilize the tissue; and a second mechanism, associated with the 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 the first force is in opposition to at least a component of the second force, forcing the immobilized tissue against the sensor, and forcing the sensor against the immobilized tissue, bringing about an effective contact between the sensor and the immobilized tissue.

Claims

1. A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

a structure;

a duct system, associated with said structure, said duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure;

a suction source operatively connected to said duct system;

said duct system and said suction source configured to exert a first force on a tissue at said orifices and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a mechanism, associated with said structure, said mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the mechanism and the duct system; and

said spring positioned between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said piston and structure are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to duct system;

wherein said mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the duct system and suction source immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, duct system, suction source, and mechanism combined are configured to bring about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum.

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

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

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

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured to operate at a wavelength λ

, and said sensor is configured for placement with an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor being such that t1<

λ

/3.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured to operate at a wavelength λ

, and said sensor is configured for placement with an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor being such that t1<

λ

/10.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured to operate at a wavelength λ

, and said sensor is configured for placement with an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor being such that t1<

λ

/100.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured for placement such that an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor, is less than 500 Angstroms.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured for placement such that an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor, is less than 50 Angstroms.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is configured for placement such that an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor, is less than 5 Angstroms.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) sensor, a radiofrequency (RF) sensor, a microwave (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.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein said spring is configured to regulate said second force while compressed by exerting a force on said piston in a respectively opposing direction to said second force.

13. A system for tissue characterization, comprising:

a device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising;

a structure;

a duct system, associated with said structure, said duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure;

a suction source operatively connected to said duct system;

said duct system and said suction source configured to exert a first force on a tissue at said orifices and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a mechanism, associated with said structure, said mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the mechanism and the duct system; and

said spring positioned between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said piston and structure are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to duct system;

wherein said mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the duct system and suction source immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, duct system, suction source, and mechanism combined are configured to bring about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum; and

a signal analyzer, configured to be in signal communication with said sensor;

said signal analyzer configured to process an output signal from said sensor to provide said tissue characterization.

14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a signal generator configured to provide the sensor with an input signal.

15. The system of claim 13, and further comprising:

a computer, configured to be in signal communication with said signal analyzer; and

said computer configured to further process said output signal from said signal analyzer.

16. A method for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

providing a device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising;

a structure;

a duct system, associated with said structure, said duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure;

a suction source operatively connected to said duct system;

said duct system and said suction source configured to exert a first force on a tissue at said orifices and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a mechanism, associated with said structure, said mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the mechanism and the duct system; and

said spring positioned between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said piston and structure are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to duct system;

wherein said mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the duct system and suction source immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, duct system, suction source, and mechanism combined are configured to bring about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum;

fixing the tissue to said two or more orifices, thus immobilizing the tissue;

pressing said sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, thereby exerting said second force on the immobilized tissue;

compressing the spring via vacuum, and regulating the compression of the spring via the applied vacuum; and

simultaneously fixing the tissue, pressing the sensor and compressing and regulating the spring, and thus bringing about said effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.

17. A method for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

applying vacuum to a duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of a structure, the duct system operatively connected to a suction source, said suction source providing vacuum to said duct system;

fixing the tissue to all of the two or more orifices at the proximal end of a structure, thus exerting a first force on the tissue at all of said orifices and immobilizing the tissue;

pressing a sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, wherein said sensor is on the proximal end of a piston, thereby exerting a second force on the immobilized tissue;

applying vacuum through at least one connection from the duct system to a spring tunnel that contains a spring, said spring surrounding a portion of the piston and contacting a proximal facing surface of the distal portion of the piston;

compressing the spring in the spring tunnel with the application of the vacuum, wherein said compressing of said spring limits the second force;

regulating the compression of the spring via the vacuum applied through the at least one connection from the duct system to the spring tunnel; and

simultaneously fixing the tissue, pressing the sensor and compressing and regulating the spring, and thus bringing about said effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue.

18. A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

a structure;

a first mechanism, associated with said structure, said first mechanism comprising a suction source and a duct system with two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure, said first mechanism configured to exert a first force on a tissue and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a second mechanism, associated with said structure, said second mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, a spring tunnel, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said second mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the spring tunnel of the second mechanism and the duct system of the first mechanism; and

said spring positioned in the spring tunnel between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said spring tunnel and piston are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to said duct system;

wherein said second mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the first mechanism immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, first mechanism, and second mechanism combined are configured to cause an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum.

19. A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

a structure;

a duct system, associated with said structure, said duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure;

a suction source operatively connected to said duct system;

said duct system and said suction source configured to exert a first force on a tissue at said orifices and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a mechanism, associated with said structure, said mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the mechanism and the duct system; and

said spring positioned between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said piston and structure are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to duct system;

wherein said mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the duct system and suction source immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, duct system, suction source, and mechanism combined are configured to bring about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum;

wherein said sensor is configured to operate at a wavelength λ

, and said sensor is configured for placement with an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor, such that t1<

λ

/3.

20. A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

a structure;

a first mechanism, associated with said structure, said first mechanism comprising a suction source and a duct system with two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure, said first mechanism configured to exert a first force on a tissue and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a second mechanism, associated with said structure, said second mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, a spring tunnel, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said second mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the spring tunnel of the second mechanism and the duct system of the first mechanism; and

said spring positioned in the spring tunnel between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said spring tunnel and piston are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to said duct system;

wherein said second mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the first mechanism immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, first mechanism, and second mechanism combined are configured to cause an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum;

wherein said sensor is configured to operate at a wavelength λ

, and said sensor is configured for placement with an average distance t1, between the external surface of the tissue and said sensor, such that t1<

λ

/3.

21. A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

a structure;

a duct system, associated with said structure, said duct system comprising two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure;

a suction source operatively connected to said duct system;

said duct system and said suction source configured to exert a first force on a tissue at said orifices and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a mechanism, associated with said structure, said mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the mechanism and the duct system; and

said spring positioned between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said piston and structure are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to duct system;

wherein said mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the duct system and suction source immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, duct system, suction source, and mechanism combined are configured to bring about an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum;

wherein said effective contact is a contact level of at least 95%.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein said sensor is one member of the group of sensors consisting of:

an optical sensor, an MRI sensor, an RF sensor, a MW sensor, an X-ray sensor, an ultrasound sensor, an infrared thermography sensor, a biosensor, a chemical sensor, and a mechanical sensor.

23. A device for providing effective contact between a sensor and tissue, comprising:

a structure;

a first mechanism, associated with said structure, said first mechanism comprising a suction source and a duct system with two or more orifices at the proximal end of the structure, said first mechanism configured to exert a first force on a tissue and to fix the tissue to said structure, so as to immobilize the tissue;

a second mechanism, associated with said structure, said second mechanism comprising a piston, a spring, a spring tunnel, and a sensor;

said sensor is on the proximal end of said piston;

said second mechanism configured to press the sensor against an external surface of the immobilized tissue and to thereby exert a second force on the immobilized tissue;

at least one connection between the spring tunnel of the second mechanism and the duct system of the first mechanism; and

said spring positioned in the spring tunnel between a portion of the piston and a portion of the structure, such that said spring is configured to regulate the second force when compressed, wherein said spring tunnel and piston are configured to cause the spring to be compressed via vacuum from the suction source when vacuum is applied to said duct system;

wherein said second mechanism is configured to exert the second force in a direction opposite to said first force and to force the immobilized tissue against the sensor while the first mechanism immobilizes the tissue;

wherein said structure, first mechanism, and second mechanism combined are configured to cause an effective contact between said sensor and the immobilized tissue by simultaneously immobilizing the tissue, pressing the sensor against the external surface of the immobilized tissue, and regulating the force applied by the sensor with compression of the spring controlled by the vacuum;

wherein said effective contact is a contact level of at least 95%.