Device for palpation and mechanical imaging of the prostate
First Claim
1. A method for mechanically imaging a prostate comprising the steps of:
- acquiring position data and pressure response data of a pressure sensor assembly during movement of said pressure sensor assembly along predetermined trajectories overlaying said prostate;
determining a plurality of positions and measured pressures of said pressure sensor assembly from said position data and said pressure response data;
calculating a pattern of pressure responses and pressure gradient responses from the determined plurality of positions and measured pressures; and
generating a mechanical image of the prostate from the calculated pressure responses and pressure gradient responses.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for mechanically imaging the prostate with a prostate examination device. In the method, position data and pressure response data are acquired along predetermined trajectories overlaying the prostate by periodic pressing or sliding of a pressure sensor assembly attached to a probe against the prostate. In a preferred embodiment, the prostate examination device comprises a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head connected by a shaft to a handle. A support is connected to the probe for providing a point of rest for the shaft during the prostate examination. As the pressure sensor assembly is pressed against and moved over the prostate, it generates signals in response to forces imposed on the pressure sensor assembly. A positioning system is coupled to the support and probe for determining position data of the pressure sensor assembly during prostate examination. An electronic unit receives the data from the pressure sensor assembly and the position data from the positioning system and determines a structure of the prostate.
63 Citations
32 Claims
-
1. A method for mechanically imaging a prostate comprising the steps of:
-
acquiring position data and pressure response data of a pressure sensor assembly during movement of said pressure sensor assembly along predetermined trajectories overlaying said prostate; determining a plurality of positions and measured pressures of said pressure sensor assembly from said position data and said pressure response data; calculating a pattern of pressure responses and pressure gradient responses from the determined plurality of positions and measured pressures; and generating a mechanical image of the prostate from the calculated pressure responses and pressure gradient responses. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A prostate examination device comprising:
-
a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head connected by a shaft to a handle; support means connected to said probe for providing a point of rest for said shaft during a prostate examination; a pressure sensor assembly coupled to said head for generating signals in response to forces imposed on said pressure sensor assembly as said pressure sensor assembly is pressed against and moved over the prostate; a positioning system coupled to said support means and probe for determining position data of said pressure sensor assembly during prostate examination; and an electronic unit for receiving said signals from said pressure sensor assembly and said position data from said positioning system, determining and displaying a structure of said prostate from said pressure sensor signals and said position data. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
-
-
31. A prostate examination device comprising:
-
a probe sized to fit within the rectum and having a head connected by a shaft to a handle; a pressure sensor assembly coupled to said head for generating signals in response to forces imposed on said pressure sensor assembly as said pressure sensor assembly is pressed against and moved over the prostate; a positioning system comprising a triaxial accelerometer; and an electronic unit for receiving said signals from said pressure sensor assembly and said position data from said positioning system and determining and displaying a structural image of said prostate from said pressure response signals and said position data. - View Dependent Claims (32)
-
Specification