Patent ID: 6824516
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: A61B,A61N,G16H,Y02A

Abstract:
A holistically integrated ultrasonic system for examining, mapping, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the prostate gland in a male human, the system comprising:an ultrasonic transrectal probe and an ultrasonic transurethral probe, each of which is outfitted to pulse and to receive, and each of which is in operative communication with an integrated patient support platform; the ultrasonic transrectal probe adapted to produce and operate within a liquid-filled volume of the rectum of the male human, and the ultrasonic transurethral probe adapted to produce and operate within a liquid-filled volume of the urethra of the male human; the ultrasonic transrectal probe being adapted to remain in a fixed position after being inserted into the rectum of the male human, and the ultrasonic transrectal probe having ultrasonic sensors therein which are adapted for movement by a motor controlled by a computer, so that ultrasonic scans of the prostate gland are effected; the ultrasonic transurethral probe being adapted to remain in a fixed position after being inserted into the urethra of the male human, and the ultrasonic transurethral probe having ultrasonic sensors therein which are adapted for movement by a motor controlled by a computer, so that ultrasonic scans of the prostate gland are effected; the ultrasonic transrectal probe containing an integrated position sensor suite which provides angular and relational data to an integrated expert system; an integrated expert system which collects data transmitted by sensors in the ultrasonic transrectal and the ultrasonic transurethral probes, utilizing analytical techniques and integrated results to produce level-of-suspicion mapping of the prostate gland with cancer probability assessments for areas contained within the level-of-suspicion mapping.