Method and a dual-array transducer probe for real time mechanical imaging of prostate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transrectal probe and method for real time mechanical imaging of a prostate. The probe is equipped with dual-array pressure sensors—one on the probe head and another on the shaft of the probe spaced away from the head with an angular and linear offset forming an S-shaped transition between the shaft and the head of the probe. The addition of the shaft pressure sensor array together with orientation tracking sensors allows precise calculation of the current head position throughout the examination of the prostate. Display means are used to guide the user in the proper manipulation of the probe in order to reduce the forces on surrounding tissues and organs and to minimize patient's discomfort.

1 . A transrectal probe for mechanical imaging of a prostate comprising:
 a probe head sized to fit inside a rectum and equipped with a head pressure sensor array, said probe head having a distal end and a proximal end, said probe head defining a longitudinal probe head axis, and   a probe shaft defining a longitudinal probe shaft axis, said probe shaft having an S-shaped distal end attached to said proximal end of the probe head, said S-shaped distal end defining a linear offset between said longitudinal probe head axis and said longitudinal probe shaft axis,   whereby said S-shaped distal end of said probe shaft configured to minimize disturbance of surrounding tissues and organs when said prostate is compressed by said probe head during examination procedure.   
     
     
         2 . The transrectal probe as in  claim 1 , wherein said probe head including a straight segment containing said head pressure sensor array, said straight segment being about 25 mm (1 inch) to about 50 mm (2 inches) long. 
     
     
         3 . The transrectal prove as in  claim 1 , wherein said linear offset ranging between about 4 mm ( 5/32 of an inch) and 15 mm ( 19/32 of an inch). 
     
     
         4 . The transrectal probe as in  claim 3 , wherein said linear offset is about 10 mm (⅜ of an inch). 
     
     
         5 . The transrectal probe as in  claim 1 , wherein said S-shaped distal end of the probe shaft shaped to define an angular offset between said longitudinal probe head axis and said longitudinal probe shaft axis. 
     
     
         6 . The transrectal probe as in  claim 5 , wherein said angular offset ranging between about 4 degrees and 12 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The transrectal probe as in  claim 1 , wherein said probe shaft further including a shaft pressure sensor array, said head pressure array spaced away from said shaft pressure sensor array by about 40 mm (1 9/16 inches) to 80 mm (3⅛ inches) as measured between the centers of the respective pressure sensor arrays. 
     
     
         8 . A dual-array transrectal probe for mechanical imaging of a prostate, said probe comprising:
 a probe head sized to fit inside a rectum and equipped with a two-dimensional head pressure sensor array, and   a probe shaft attached to said probe head, said probe shaft including a shaft pressure sensor array.   
     
     
         9 . The dual-array transrectal probe as in  claim 8 , wherein said shaft pressure sensor array comprising at least one linear pressure sensor array. 
     
     
         10 . The dual-array transrectal probe as in  claim 9 , wherein said shaft pressure sensor array comprising at least two linear pressure sensor arrays. 
     
     
         11 . The dual-array transrectal probe as in  claim 10 , wherein said shaft pressure array comprising three linear pressure sensor arrays. 
     
     
         12 . The dual-array transrectal probe as in  claim 11 , wherein said three linear pressure sensor arrays are parallel to each other and to said probe shaft and spaced equally about the periphery thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The dual-array transrectal probe as in  claim 8 , wherein said shaft pressure sensor array is a two-dimensional pressure sensor array. 
     
     
         14 . A dual-array transrectal probe system for mechanical imaging of a prostate comprising:
 a probe head sized to fit inside a rectum and equipped with a two-dimensional head pressure sensor array adapted to obtain a head pressure response data when said probe head is pressed against said prostate,   a probe shaft attached to said probe head to form a transrectal probe, said probe shaft including a shaft pressure sensor array adapted to obtain a shaft pressure response data,   an electronic unit connected to said transrectal probe and adapted to receiving said head and shaft pressure response data, and   a processing and display means connected to said electronic unit, said processing and display means further including
 a means for generating a mechanical image of said prostate from at least said head pressure response data, 
 a means for calculating the position of a sphincter from said shaft pressure response data, and 
 a means for simultaneous displaying in real time of said mechanical image of the prostate and said position of the sphincter spaced apart from said prostate during the examination thereof. 
   
     
     
         15 . The system as in  claim 14 , wherein said probe head further including orientation tracking means adapted to provide positional and angular data of the location of said probe head. 
     
     
         16 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein said means for generating said mechanical image of said prostate further including means for tracking the position and direction of movement of said probe head from said orientation tracking means in combination with said shaft pressure response data. 
     
     
         17 . The system as in  claim 14 , wherein said means for locating the position of said sphincter including means for generating at least a two-dimensional mechanical image of said sphincter. 
     
     
         18 . The system as in  claim 14  further equipped with an alarm means indicating excessive compression force, said alarm means triggered when said shaft pressure response data exceeds a predetermined level of sphincter pressure force.