Patent Abstract:
A holistically integrated ultrasonic system for examining, mapping, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the prostate gland in a male human includes an ultrasonic transrectal probe and an ultrasonic transurethral probe. Each of these probes is adapted to pulse and to receive, as well as to produce and operate within a liquid-filled volume of the lumen into which they are inserted. Each probe is in operative communication with an integrated patient support platform and an integrated expert system. The integrated expert system collects data transmitted by sensors in the transrectal and transurethral probes and produces level-of-suspicion mapping of the prostate gland with cancer probability assessments for areas contained within the level-of-suspicion mapping. The integrated expert system communicates with, and provides targeting coordinates for operation of an automated slave biopsy subsystem and directs a biopsy needle to a selected point within the prostate gland. The biopsy needle includes a means for extracting a biopsy tissue sample from the prostate gland. The integrated patient support platform includes a multi-degree of freedom positioning chair which optimizes positioning of a patient for scanning and biopsy procedures and affords repeatability thereof.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/362,992, filed Mar. 11, 2002 for “Integrated System for Examination, Diagnosis, Mapping, and Treatment of Prostate Problems.” 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    This invention relates generally to medical devices. It relates particularly to a holistically integrated ultrasonic system and process for examining, mapping, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the prostate gland in a male human, especially prostate cancer.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    Prostate gland problems are widespread in the male population, especially the older male population. In particular, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer are all-too-common in men over 50 years of age. Indeed, prostate cancer is the cause of death in about 40,000 men each year, making it the Number Two cancer killer of men in the United States, second only to lung cancer. However, if prostate cancer is detected early and treated effectively, the chance of survival of one afflicted with this disease improves significantly. Unfortunately, methodS of detection of prostate cancer employed today are found seriously wanting, even in the hand of the highly skilled, as many early stage cancers still go undetected and/or an undue multiplicity of painful biopsies are required for diagnosis.  
           [0006]    In an attempt to enhance the efficiency and efficacy of methods and systems of detection of prostate cancer, medical science turned to ultrasonics, and for several years ultrasonics has been applied in accomplishing diagnostic examinations of the prostate gland of the human male. As examples of advances made in this and related are as are the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,282,472; 5,398,690; 5,810,731; 5,952,828; 5,178,147; 5,919,139; 5,952,828; and 6,165,128. Notwithstanding the achievements of these inventions, the fact remains that no examining system or technique presently exists which provides the high degree of resolution and the accompanying precision which are absolutely necessary for an accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer, nor is the required repeatability of result achieved. Moreover, no technique, method, or system of the related art provides a holistically integrated ultrasonic approach which combines examining, mapping, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the prostate gland, especially cancer, in a male human, with a minimum of physical and mental discomfort.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    It is accordingly a primary object of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages presented by systems and processes of the Related Art. This object is achieved, and attending benefits are acquired, by the provision of a holistically integrated ultrasonic system for examining, mapping, diagnosing and treating diseases of the prostate gland in a male human.  
           [0008]    The first factor in the holistically integrated ultrasonic system of the present invention is means to reliably detect and map prostate cancer in early stages. However, success in the area of reliable detection and mapping will not be readily accepted and utilized appropriately, unless a second factor is integrated into the system. The second factor (a highly reliable follow-on biopsy or the application of a precisely guided reactive sensor to cancer tissue contact) is the means to reliably confirm the findings of the first factor.  
           [0009]    Delivery of an integrated system comprising the above two factors yields opportunities to treat prostate cancer at times when the probability for successful treatment is high. Therefore, the present invention includes a third factor that provides for vastly improving the results of today&#39;s treatment modalities, as well as the introduction of new, effective, and patient friendly treatment modalities for prostate cancer in early stages.  
           [0010]    To achieve consistent and reliable detection across the total spectrum of prostate cancer conditions, the present invention includes a fourth factor, which is an expert system, which provides the ability to utilize and integrate, in real time, data from several sensor inputs with several analytical techniques (this is not feasible with the limitations of human performance, but is achievable with the present expert system). The fifth factor in the instant system is cost-effectiveness to lower the overall health care cost associated with prostate cancer detection and treatment.  
           [0011]    In the operation of the holistically integrated ultrasonic system according to the present invention, the following are applied:  
           [0012]    (1) More than one ultrasonic sensor package working together in an integrated manner;  
           [0013]    (2) Multiple analytical techniques;  
           [0014]    (3) A constant, effective medium for superior ultrasonic sensor performance;  
           [0015]    (4) High frequency ultrasound versus the lower frequency used in today&#39;s technology;  
           [0016]    (5) Level-of-suspicion prostate cancer mapping;  
           [0017]    (6) An automated slave biopsy subsystem with precision targeting; and  
           [0018]    (7) A design philosophy to create a friendly patient and doctor experience.  
           [0019]    As a result, the present invention has the capacity to:  
           [0020]    (1) Provide early prostate cancer detection when the cancer or cancers are small;  
           [0021]    (2) Automatically and clearly identify what has changed between successive examinations;  
           [0022]    (3) Track treatment impact in real time for certain treatment modalities, and for others, to provide tracking over different time periods;  
           [0023]    (4) Provide new, patient friendly, treatment options;  
           [0024]    (5) Produce the matching of system output with pathology findings as proof of system performance.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0025]    [0025]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the overall system of the present invention, showing the major elements thereof.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing both transrectal and transurethral systems in place in the rectum and the prostatic urethra respectively. It also shows an overlapping beam pattern from the two ultrasound systems with a detected tumor being sonically illuminated from both sides. It further shows a slaved biopsy needle deployed into said tumor.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 3A, 3B and  3 C are cross-sectional schematic showing in the beam patterns emanating from each ultrasound system (transrectal and transurethral) separately and then in the actual overlapping pattern. Each pattern is superimposed on an outline of a diseased prostate showing the bi-directional scanning of a tumor section lying in the scan plane.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIGS. 4A, 4B and  4 C are a schematic showing a top view, a side view and a cross-sectional view of a chair mechanism according to the present invention.  
         [0029]    [0029]FIGS. 5A, 5B and  5 C show the same three views of the chair, but define the locations of the multiple actuators which produce the excitation sound waves used for the dynamic elastography feature according to the present invention.  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 6 is an illustration of the impingement of elastography exitation pressure waves arriving at an area of differential stiffness, so that by varying the direction, frequency and power of the impinging waves, it is possible to maximize the ultrasonically detectable differential vibration of a tumor thus produced.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIGS. 7A, 7B and  7 C show the same three views of the chair, but define the locations of the field generating elements for the magnetic position sensing system used in conjunction with the floating transrectal probe, shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 8 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the floating transrectal prove in situ. The drawing shows the relationship of the magnetic field produced by generating elements to the sensing coils located at either end of the floating probe.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 9 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the floating transrectal prove in situ within the body.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 10 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing both the transrectal and the transurethral probes in situ with the special diagnostic needle deployed into a detected tumor.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 11 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the transurethral catheter/catheter feeder assembly in situ. The drawing shows the fiber optic viewer/guide in situ within the catheter and protruding into the urinary bladder. The upper end of the fiber optic terminates in a small video camera which feeds a display used by the doctor for guidance and to assist in diagnosis. The water feed line is shown attached to the catheter feeder.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 12 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the same view as in FIG. 11 but with the fiber optic viewer/guide withdrawn from the catheter/catheter feeder assembly.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 13 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the same view as in FIG. 12 but with the transurethral ultrasound prove inserted through the catheter feeder into the catheter.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 14 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing a close-up cross section of the catheter within the urethra. The distal opening of the catheter is shown with the fiber optic viewer/guide protruding through the distal opening.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 15 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the details of the catheter/catheter feeder assembly.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 16A and 16B are sectional, schematic views showing a front pseudo-perspective and a side cross sectional view of the transrectal probe.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 17 and 18 are sectional, schematic views showing the relationship of the dual beams emitted by the dual ultrasound scanners in the transrectal ultrasound probe. As the beams sweep across a tumor they cause different angles of acoustic shadow as shown.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIGS. 19, 20 and  21  are sectional, schematic views showing three cross sections through the transrectal probe.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 22 is a sectional, schematic, view showing a side view of a condom covering the entire body of the transrectal probe.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 23 is a sectional, schematic view illustrating that the transrectal probe body is flexible in the saggital plan in the region of the curved neck.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 24 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the transrectal probe body in situ within the body. The drawing illustrates that the slaved biopsy needle penetrates the condom when it is deployed.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIGS. 25A and 25B are sectional, schematic views showing the method by which the transrectal probe body is removably attached to the slaved biopsy needle mechanism housing. The non-symmetrical nesting inner and outer cone docking design guides the transrectal probe body to the proper position and alignment on the slaved biopsy needle mechanism housing and the magnetic latch holds it in place. These views show the elements before engagement.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 26 is a sectional, schematic view showing the same elements as in FIGS. 25A and 25B after engagement is complete.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 27 is a sectional, schematic view showing the slaved biopsy mechanism within the housing. The drawing illustrates the relationship of the moving parts of the mechanism at the nominal rest position.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 28 is a sectional, schematic view showing the same elements as in FIG. 27 with the angular mechanism at the extreme of its travel.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 29 is a sectional, schematic showing the same mechanism as in FIGS. 27 and 28 as it is carried within an angularly adjustable housing to facilitate optimal engagement with the patient regardless of anatomical variation.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIGS. 30, 31,  32 , and  33  are sectional, schematic, anatomical views showing a sequence of the operation of a special tool with is deployed into a detected tumor. FIG. 30 shows a macerating cutter deployed within the tumor. FIG. 31 shows the tool reducing the volume containing the tumor to a liquid state. FIG. 32 shows the liquid extracted leaving a cavity where the tumor was. FIG. 33 shows the cavity filled with a collagen gel derived from the patients own tissues and carrying the appropriate dosage of anti-cancer drugs.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIGS. 34, 35,  36  and  37  are sectional, schematic, anatomical views showing a similar set of sequences as in FIGS.  34 - 37 . These drawings differ only in that instead of filling the cavity, a vacuum system is used to collapse the cavity. A tissue adhesive is then used to seal the opening.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing the cutting mechanism of the slaved biopsy needle.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIGS. 39, 40 and  41  are a three-part cutaway, side view of the biopsy needle showing how the forward movement of the slider pushes the blades to follow the curved guides and meet at the needle tip. The needle is then extracted containing the tissue sample.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIGS. 42 and 43 are a set of perspective drawings of the square-end cutting biopsy needle. FIG. 43 shows the open end of the needle as it would appear during the harvesting phase of a biopsy. FIG. 42 shows the cutting blades fully extended to cut off and enclose the tissue sample.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIGS. 44A, 44B,  44 C, and  44 D are a set of drawings showing the square cross section of the needle and the fit of the cutting blades within the side plate guides.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of an alternate curved biopsy needle.  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 46 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing a patient in position of the integrated patient support platform.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0059]    Following is a listing of elements constituting the system of the present invention, along with their corresponding reference numerals, as employed in the accompanying drawings.  
                                       1   patient chair       2   transurethral actuation mechanism       3   control panel       4   data display monitor       5   transrectural actuation mechanism       6   chair vertical movement       7   chair angle adjustment mechanism       8   overall urotech system       9   a, b duplex support structure a) chair b) transrectal system       10   electronics cabinet, including software package       11   transurethral probe support arm       12   foley balloon on transurethral catheter       13   transurethral catheter       14   a, b dual transrectal ultrasound scanners       15   ultrasound scan beam emitted by transurethral ultrasound scanner       16   ultrasound scan beam emitted by transrectal ultrasound scanners       17   chair pivot       18   transrectal ultrasound probe tip (entire)       19   frontal cavity within 18       20   support plate for chair pivot       21   a, b, chair hip fence adjusters       22   a, b chair hip fences       23   lateral chair adjustment       24   chair angle adjustment driver       25   chair saggital axis pivot point       26   in chair dynamic elastography exciters       27   belt mounted dynamic elastography exciters       28   belt       29   a, b hip fence mounted dynamic elastography exciters       30   stiffness node       31   representational dynamic elastography exciters       32   node showing movement in response to impinging pressure wave       33   floating transrectal probe umbilical       35   magnetic drive coils for magnetic position sensing system       36   magnetic field emitted by said coils       38   floating transrectal probe       40   a, b magnetic position sensing coils in floating trausrectal probe       41   prostate       42   urinary bladder       43   rectum       44   transrectal probe body (entire)       45   biopsy needle       46   tumor       47   transurethral ultrasound scanner       48   a, b bioimpedance sensing coils       50   tip of transurethral fiber optic viewer       51   head of penis       53   catheter feeder       54   water line to catheter feeder       55   transurethral video camera       56   transurethral fiber optic viewer       57   transurethral water line luer fitting       60   transurethral ultrasonic scanner movement       61   water bolus       62   urethra       63   upper sphincter of prostate       64   lumen of catheter       69   distal opening of catheter       70   instrument port of catheter feeder       71   sealing 0 ring of catheter feeder       72   luer fitting of catheter feeder       73   push in latch of catheter feeder       74   catheter coupler of catheter feeder       80   transurethral probe support structure       81   transrectal probe condom cover       82   head of condom cover       83   gimbal of needle guide       84   slot driver for transrectal dynamic elastography exciter       85   distal opening in condom head-for transrectal-fiber optic viewer       86   distal opening of water fill line       87   distal opening of air bleed line       88   lumen of fiber optic viewer passage       89   lumen of water line       90   lumen of air bleed line       91   driver for slot firing dynamic elastography exciter       92   water supply       95   water supply line into condom       98   seal around fiber optic viewer       99   transrectal fiber optic viewer       100   transrectal video camera       101   a, b ultrasound beams emitted by transrectal ultrasound scanners           14a, b       102   acoustic shadow       103   bleed air outlet catch container       104   thermal needle       105   volume to be necrotized       109   transrectal docking support structure       110   inner docking cone       111   lower magnetic latch       112   upper magnetic latch       113   outer docking cone       120   slaved biopsy device support structure       121   rotary movement       122   angular movement       123   depth of penetration movement       124   needle drive       125   needle guide       126   slaved biopsy mechanism cover       130   macerating needle       131   macerating flail       132   cavity created by macerating flail       133   cavity filled with gel       135   collapsed cavity       180   endcutting biopsy needle (entire)       181   cross section of square needle       182   square slider       183   a, b tissue cuffing blades on square slider       184   pressure relief lumen       185   flexible push rod       186   a, b, c side view cutaway of needle showing movement of the           tissue cutting capsule with the blades following the curve           of the tip and meeting to shear off tissue sample.       187   a, b views of the tip of the needle showing details of the           opening and the tapered edge fence along which the tissue           cutting blades run.       188   alternative curved needle configuration.                  
 
         [0060]    Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a schematic view of overall system showing the major elements thereof. The entire system is identified as  8 . Subsystems are as follows: the adjustable, swiveling patient chair  1  is supported on vertical movement  6  which is in turn mounted on  9   a  one of the duplex support structures. The second duplex support structure  9   b  carries the transrectal actuation system designated as  5 .  5  is surmounted by the transrectal probe dock shown with transrectal probe  44  latched in place. Located behind and in fixed relationship to  9   a, b  is the electronic cabinet  10 . On the end of cabinet  10 , which is adjacent to the position of the patient&#39;s groin area is mounted the transurethral actuation system  2 . Said transurethral actuation system  2  has 3 degrees of freedom: it can be pulled forward to intersect the central axis of the patient. It can be moved several inches along that axis to accommodate patient variability. It can also be moved in the vertical plane to permit the distal end of the transurethral drive support arm  11  to be positioned in the proper relationship to the head of the patient&#39;s penis. On the forward face of cabinet  10  is mounted data display monitor  4  and control panel  3 . Both monitor  4  and control panel  3  are at the distal end of an adjustable arm, permitting them to be positioned at the ideal position for the physician.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 2 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the probe portion  18  of transrectal probe body  44  in place in the rectum  43  and adjacent to the prostate  41 . The transrectal probe body  44  is shown as a transparency to show the one of the transrectal scanners  19   a, b  passing through the base and into the cavity  20 . The second transrectal scanner  19   b  is directly behind  19   a  on the other side of the probe centerline. The transparency of  44  also shows the locating cone/gimbal support  88  within probe body  44 . The transurethral scanner  47  moves within the transurethral catheter  52  which has been inserted by the physician through the urethra  61  and the prostate  41  into urinary bladder  42  where it is anchored by foley balloon  12 . Overlapping ultrasound beams  15 - 16  are emitted by transurethral scanner  47  and transrectal scanner  14  respectively. A tumor  46  is shown in the beam path and being scanned from both sides. FIG. 2 also shows a biopsy needle  45  deployed through gimbal  83  into said tumor.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIGS. 3A, 3B, and  3 C are cross-sectional schematics showing the beam patterns  16 ,  15  emanating from each ultrasound scanner (transrectal  14  and transurethral  47 ) separately and then in the actual overlapping pattern. Each pattern is superimposed on an outline of a diseased prostate  41  showing the bi-directional scanning of a tumor section  46  lying in the scan plane.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIGS. 4A, 4B and  4 C are schematics showing a top view, a side view and a cross-sectional view of the patient chair  1  together with its associated mechanisms. FIG. 4A shows the chair  1  pivoting around pivot  17  which is in turn mounted on support platform  11 . FIG. 4B shows the lateral movement  23  for adjusting the patient position relative to center line. FIG. 4C shows the elevation mechanism  24  and the tilting action of the chair  1  proper.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIGS. 5A, 5B and  5 C show the same three views of the chair but define the locations of the multiple actuators  26   a, b, c, d, e  in the chair back,  27   a, b, c  in the belt,  28  and  29   a, b  in the hip fences, and  22   a, b  which produce the excitation sound waves used for the dynamic elastography feature.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 6 shows the impingement of elastography pressure waves arriving at an area of differential stiffness, so that by varying the direction, frequency, and power of the impinging waves, it is possible to maximize the ultrasonically detectable differential vibration of the tumor.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIGS. 7A, 7B and  7 C show the same three views of the chair as in FIGS.  5 A-C but define the locations of the field generating elements  35   a, b  for the magnetic position sensing system used in conjunction with the floating transrectal probe  38  which will be shown in FIG. 8.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 8 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the above mentioned floating transrectal probe  38  in situ. The drawing shows the relationship of the magnetic field  36  produced by above said generating elements to the sensing coils  40   a, b  located at either end of said floating probe  38 .  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 9 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing said floating transrectal probe  38  in situ within the rectum  43 . The drawing particularly references the location of the two magnetic sensing coils  40   a, b  relative to the probe body and the attachment of said probe body to the umbilical  33 .  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 10 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing both the transrectal probe tip  18  and the transurethral probe  47  in situ with a special diagnostic needle  45  deployed into a detected tumor  46 . Said diagnostic needle as shown in the enlarged inset carries a pair of detection coils  48   a, b  that measure the effective radio-frequency bio-impedance of the tumor. Said bioimpedance has been shown to vary with the stage of the tumor.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 11 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the transurethral catheter  52  and catheter feeder  53  in situ. The drawing shows the fiber optic viewer/guide  56  in situ within the catheter  13  and protruding into the urinary bladder  42 . The upper end of the fiber optic terminates in a small video camera  55  which feeds a display used by the doctor for guidance and to assist in diagnosis. The water feed line  54  is shown attached to the catheter feeder  53 , via luer fitting  57 .  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 12 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the same view as in FIG. 11, but with the fiber optic viewer/guide withdrawn from the catheter/catheter feeder assembly.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 13 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the same view as in FIG. 12, but with the transurethral ultrasound probe  47  inserted through the catheter into the catheter  52  as far as the correct starting position at the distal end of the catheter just within the upper sphincter of the prostatatic urethra  53 .  
         [0073]    [0073]FIG. 14 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing a close-up cross section of the catheter  13  within the urethra  62 . The distal opening of the catheter  69  is shown with the fiber optic viewer/guide  56  protruding through said distal opening  69 . The water filling the catheter  64  and being extruded through said distal opening to form a leading bolus  61  is shown.  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 15 is a sectional, schematic view showing the details of the catheter  13 /catheter feeder  53  assembly. Shown are the passageways, the luer fitting for the water inlet  72 , the sealing O-ring  71  which minimizes water leakage around inserted probes, and the push-in latch  73  used to attach the catheter feeder to the receptacle at the distal end of the transurethral locating arm.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIGS. 16A and 16B are sectional, schematic views showing a front pseudo-perspective and a side cross sectional view of the transrectal probe  18  general layout. In said front pseudo-perspective view (FIG. 16A) the two complimentary scanning ultrasound systems  14   a,b  are shown, resident in the forward (towards the prostate) looking cavity/window  19  on the ventral side of the transrectal probe. Said front pseudo-perspective view also shows the slot aperture  84  which is one element of the dynamic elastography multi angle excitation system. Cavity  19  is a cutaway of the front of the rigid probe tip support structure  80  which is shaped to conform to the covering condom  81 . The condom covers the entire surface of the probe tip  18  and probe body  44 . Housed within the thickened back wall of the condom are lumens to accommodate a fiber optic viewer, a water fill line and an air bleed line, all of which terminate in openings in the end cap of the condom (detailed in FIG. 21). The condom forms the front wall of the cavity  19  which houses the dual ultrasound scanners  14   a, b  to act as an acoustically transparent window.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIGS. 17 and 18 are sectional, schematic views showing the relationship of the dual beams  101   a, b  emitted by the dual ultrasound scanners  14   a, b  in said transrectal ultrasound probe. As the beams sweep across a tumor  46  they cause different angles of acoustic shadow  102  as shown.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIGS. 19, 20, and  21  are sectional, schematic views showing three cross sections through said transrectal probe. FIG. 19 shows the custom silicon condum  81  which has a thickened back wall housing three lumens. The central lumen  88  is a passageway for a fiber optic viewer permitting visual inspection of the rectum during insertion of the transrectal probe. On either side of said lumen are two other lumens, one for filling the rectum with water  89  to act as a carrier for the ultrasound and one to act as an air bleed  90  for any entrapped air in the rectum. FIG. 20 shows the backbone  80  of the transrectal probe, flattened on the back to conform to the inside shape of said condum  81 . The front is cutaway to form the cavity  19  housing the dual ultrasound scanners  14   a, b.  Between the ultrasound scanners is shown a cross section of the generator  91  for the dynamic elastography exciter. FIG. 21 shows the condum  81  in place surrounding and conforming to the backbone  80 . The front of the condom  81  forms the outside wall of the cavity  19  housing the dual ultrasound scanners  14   a, b.    
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 22 is a sectional, schematic view showing a side view of the condum  81  covering the entire body  44  of the transrectal probe. The aforementioned lumens continue down the back face of the body and are terminated in appended tubes  95   a, b  for inputting water, bleeding air and for the intromission of the fiber optic viewer  91 , which passes into lumen  88  through a seal  98  terminated to a video camera  94 .  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 23 is a sectional, schematic view illustrating that the transrectal probe body  44  at the junction with the probe tip  18  is flexible in the region of the curved neck in the sagittal plane.  
         [0080]    [0080]FIG. 24 is a sectional, schematic, anatomical view showing the transrectal probe tip  18  in situ within the rectum  43 . The drawing illustrates that the slaved biopsy needle  104  penetrates the condum  81  when it is deployed into tumor  46  within prostate  41 .  
         [0081]    [0081]FIGS. 25A and 25B are sectional, schematic views showing the method by which the transrectal probe body  44  is removably attached to the slaved biopsy needle mechanism housing. The non-symmetrical nesting inner  110  and outer cone  113  docking design guides the transrectal probe body  44  to the proper position and alignment on said slaved biopsy needle mechanism support structure  109 , and the magnetic latch  111 - 112  holds it in place. These views show the elements before engagement.  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 26 a is a sectional, schematic view showing the same elements as in FIGS. 25A and 25B after engagement is complete, with cones  110  nested into cone  113  bringing gimbal  83  into the proper position inside the probe tip  18 .  
         [0083]    [0083]FIG. 27 is a sectional, schematic view showing the slaved biopsy mechanism within the housing. The drawing illustrates the relationship of the moving parts of said mechanism at the nominal rest position.  120  is the support structure,  121  is the rotary movement,  122  is the angular movement,  123  is the depth of penetration movement.  124  is the needle drive,  125  is the needle guide tube, which is suspended from gimbal  83 , which is mounted to the tip of inner cone  110 . The entire mechanism is housed within cover  126 .  
         [0084]    [0084]FIG. 28 is a sectional, schematic view showing the same elements as in FIG. 27, with the angular mechanism  122  at the extreme of its travel.  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 29 is a sectional, schematic showing the same mechanism as in FIGS. 27 and 28 as it is carried within an angularly adjustable cone support structure  109  to facilitate optimal engagement with the patient regardless of anatomical variation.  
         [0086]    [0086]FIGS. 30, 31,  32  and  33  are sectional, schematic, anatomical views showing a sequence of the operation of a special tool which is deployed into a detected tumor. FIG. 30 shows a macerating needle and flail  130 / 131  deployed within tumor  46 . FIG. 31 shows the tool reducing the volume containing the tumor to a liquid state. FIG. 32 shows the liquid extracted through the macerating needle  130  after removal of the macerating flail  131  leaving a cavity  132  where the tumor was. FIG. 33 shows the cavity filled with a collagen gel  133  derived from the patients own tissues and carrying the appropriate dosage of anti-cancer drugs.  
         [0087]    [0087]FIGS. 34, 35,  36  and  37  are sectional, schematic, anatomical views showing a similar set of sequential views. The drawing differs only in that instead of filling the cavity, a vacuum working through needle  130 , after removal of the flail, is used to collapse the cavity as shown at  135 . A tissue adhesive is then used to seal the opening.  
         [0088]    [0088]FIG. 38 shows the cutting element of the end harvesting biopsy needle. The cutting element consists of two thin square ended cutting blades permanently attached to opposite faces of a square slider element which is in turn mounted the end of a flexible push rod. Said push rod can be activated by any of a number of spring loaded, pneumatic, or electro-magnetic mechanisms, which can be manually or automatically controlled. The slider element and the pushrod have a central lumen to relieve gas pressure from gas that could be trapped inside the needle when it is being forced into the tissue during the harvesting phase.  
         [0089]    [0089]FIGS. 39, 40, and  41  show three cutaway views of the needle from the side. In FIG. 39 the cutting element is fully retracted leaving the mouth of the needle open. FIG. 40 shows the cutting element being advanced, with the cutting blades beginning to follow the curvature of the spear point side plate guides. FIG. 41 shows the blades advanced until they meet at the tip of the needle, separating and enclosing the harvested tissue for extraction.  
         [0090]    [0090]FIGS. 42 and 43 are a set of drawings showing the square cross section of the needle and the configuration and fit of the guides with the cutting blades. FIG. 42 shows the cutting blades fully extended to cut off and enclose a tissue sample. FIG. 43 shows the open end of the needle during the harvesting phase of the biopsy.  
         [0091]    [0091]FIGS. 44A, 44B,  44 C, and  44 D are a set of drawings showing the square cross section of the needle and the fit of the cutting blades within the side plate guides.  
         [0092]    [0092]FIG. 45 shows an alternative curved needle with the same cutting mechanism for situations where such a shape would be desirable. Because the push rod is flexible, the degree of curvature is arbitrary and is tailored to the need.  
         [0093]    [0093]FIG. 46 is a sectional, schematic view showing a patient in position on the integrated support platform. The drawing illustrates the use of a laser cross hair generator  161  to assist the doctor in positioning the patient&#39;s anus at the proper point in space for correct alignment of all of the complimentary system elements.  
         [0094]    A detailed description of the making and using of the instant system follows. The patient is reclined on a powered, adjustable chair at an angle between 0 and 20 degrees up from the horizontal, depending on the anatomical requirements of the individual for the comfortable placement of the dual diagnostic probes. This adjustment is under the full control of the doctor. The chair itself rotates and lowers for ease of patient entry. After the patient is seated the chair elevates and rotates to align the patient on centerline and reclines to the angle selected by the doctor. A laser cross hair provides a reference point in 3D space for the optimal initial positioning of the patient. The final positioning of the patient is recorded in the data file for the procedure, so that any subsequent examination can be returned to the same alignment to ensure repeatability. Additional functional elements mounted to the chair include, but are not necessarily limited to: sub-elements of the magnetic position sensor used to track and record the absolute position of the transrectal probe. The ventral set of driver elements for the dynamic elastography analysis augmentation sub-system. Various baseline physiological monitors are incorporated into the chair cushions to simplify the monitoring of patient status.  
         [0095]    The dual diagnostic probes are the transurethral and the transrectal. The description and usage is as follows: Interaction with the doctors has lead to a definition of the relationship and procedures for the use of said probes. The transurethral subsystem consists of several elements. The ultrasound sensor drive system, which has a linear drive, a rotational drive and a signal/power/mechanical connector, is mounted on a movable structure above the area of the patient&#39;s groin. This facilitates the introduction of the transurethral probe with the penis in essentially a vertical position, as is commonly done for the introduction of other types of catheters. The drive system can be slidably moved in the vertical plane for adjustment to anatomical patient variability. It can also be slidably moved away from the patient for working clearance during other parts of the procedure. Towards the distal tip of the transurethral drive vertical movement is the signal/power/mechanical connector for the ultrasound diagnostic probe. At the distal tip of the vertical movement is the receptacle into which is inserted the catheter feeder which forms the upper end of the transurethral catheter. This serves the twofold purpose of maintaining the proper relationship between the top of the catheter and the transurethral drive for connecting the ultrasound diagnostic probe, and it also serves to hold the relationship between the catheter and the patient after the catheter/fiberscope combination has been inserted into the correct position within the patient&#39;s prostate. The transurethral catheter is 12-14 French in diameter and of a length to suit the individual patient. The catheter is inserted by the doctor through the penis, the prostate and into the bladder using a coaxially contained, articulated fiber optic scope as a guide. At the beginning of the procedure, said articulated fiber optic is threaded through the length of the catheter, such that the articulated portion protrudes through a small opening in the distal end of the catheter. A flow of water is introduced into the lumen of the catheter via the catheter feeder device to which the proximal end of the catheter is attached. The catheter and catheter feeder are permanently connected and supplied as a single unit. The catheter feeder performs a number of functions. The catheter feeder consists of a plastic block with a passageway from top to bottom. In a recessed gallery at the top of the passageway there is a soft, silicone rubber O-ring through which the fiber optic and diagnostic probes are inserted so that they go through the passageway and into the catheter. The O-ring forms a seal to insure that the water, which is introduced into the passageway via a side port, flows down through the passageway and into the catheter that is attached to the bottom of the catheter feeder by a spigot fitting. The water flows around the fiber optic and out through the tip opening around the shaft of the fiber optic. This forms a bolus of water ahead of the catheter as it is advanced through the urethra. The bolus serves both to open the urethra for the passage of the fiber optic guide and the catheter and to lubricate the interior of the urethra. Said water flow also may carry a topical anesthetic to reduce any patient discomfort during the procedure. Said water is introduced under a low pressure via the leuer fitting mounted on the side port of the catheter feeder. The distal end of the catheter may have additional openings to ensure a completely wetted outer surface. The physician uses a viewing screen to guide the fiber optic, via the articulation, through the urethra, into the bladder, The interior of the urethra, the prostate and the bladder can be viewed in this manner, which at the same time the fiber optic shaft acts as a coaxial guide wire for the catheter. After optical examination of the bladder, the fiber optic is withdrawn to a point just within the upper sphincter of the prostate. The distal tip of the catheter is now advanced to be coincident with the fiber optic tip, thus placing it in the correct relationship to the prostate for the diagnostic scan procedure. The vertical movement of the ultrasound drive mechanism is now unlatched and manually moved down to a point immediately adjacent to the catheter feeder block, where it is reached into immobility. Said catheter feeder block is fitted with a rearward projecting latching mechanism, which is now inserted into the distal receptacle, thus holding the correct relationship between the patient and the transurethral ultrasound drive mechanism for the remainder of the procedure. At this time the fiber optic is withdrawn completely from the lumen of the catheter through the catheter feeder. Water continues to flow into the lumen of the catheter as the fiber optic is withdrawn, via the side port of the catheter feeder. This leaves the lumen filled with water for the insertion of the ultrasonic diagnostic probe.  
         [0096]    The Physician now inserts the ultrasound (or other desired modality) examination probe through the upper port of the catheter feeder. The distal end of the examination probe is advanced until it reaches the distal end of the catheter which is already in place. The tip opening that allowed the passage of the fiber optic is smaller than the diagnostic probe, so that the end of the catheter stops the forward movement of the diagnostic probe at the right place. The water eases the movement of the examination probe and the amount that is forced out of the tip opening will fill the prostatic urethra so that an inserted ultrasonic examination transducer assembly can operate in a water bath that fills the lumen of organ. The intent is to give optimal ultrasonic transmission into the volume of the prostate.  
         [0097]    A second diagnostic probe is introduced transrectally. Said probe is flexibly mounted to better accommodate minor anatomical variations between patients. Said probe contains passageways within the probe cover to flood the rectum with water, again for optimal ultrasonic transmission. A second passageway serves to bleed off any displaced air as the rectum is filled with water. Said probe also contains a second optical system which is resident within a third passageway in the probe cover, giving a wide field of view in front of the distal end of the probe. The interior of the rectum can thus be examined for abnormalities during the insertion period of residence and removal of the probe from the body.  
         [0098]    A preferred embodiment of the transrectal probe is described as follows: instead of a single oscillating ultrasonic transducer head which steps vertically though the rectum, the transrectal probe is mechanically modified to accommodate two scanning head assemblies. The two assemblies are identical in size and structure, and are mounted such that they view the area of the prostate in parallel with some separation between them. Mechanically these two assemblies are linked in such a manner that they step along the longitudinal axis together. Further, the driving electronics can pulse and/or receive from each assembly simultaneously or in sequence, providing a further means for shadow analysis in the overall diagnostic capabilities. Such an arrangement can accommodate phased arrays or each assembly can operate at different frequencies to increase the potential capability of the system.  
         [0099]    A second alternative embodiment of the transrectal probe is optimized for patient comfort in cases where there is not an expectation of a requirement for a biopsy. In these circumstances a self-contained transrectal probe does not require the enlarged neck of the biopsy probe, therefore only a small cable passes through the anus for the dual purposes of extracting the data gathering probe and for carrying the electrical and data signals to and from the control apparatus. Functionally, said probe serves the same diagnostic purpose as the previously described transrectal probe. It differs only in that the location and angle of the probe is determined and recorded by a magnetic positioning system. Said free floating system has the virtues of a) minimal distention of the anus during the examination (the primary source of discomfort to the patient associated with the transrectal examination.) and b) essentially infinite flexibility to accommodate itself to variations in the rectal anatomy and angle between patients. At the same time it provides recorded information on the exact positioning of the probe within the rectum, such that should the patient require a rescan, and/or a biopsy at a later time, the second probe insertion can be to the same spatial coordinates and angle as the first for repeatability.  
         [0100]    The two ultrasound scanners (transrectal and transurethral) move axially through the volume of space containing the prostate in sequential steps numbered from the point of origin at one end of the mechanical movements to the hard stop at the other end of the movement. Each step corresponds to a scan slice. The ultrasonic data is acquired as a series of tomographic type slices, each of which is approximately 1-2 mm thick.  
         [0101]    The software assembles the acquired slice data into a 3-dimensional image stack for volumetric analysis and then presentation to the doctor as a level of suspicion map of the patient&#39;s prostate. The location in space of any suspect area is determined by the computer and displayed to the physician. The numbered slice in which it occurs defines the axial location of each detected structure.  
         [0102]    In order to improve speed of actuation, mechanical robustness, safety and patient comfort, the biopsy needle uses an offset biopsy system which computes triangles for the vertical axis as well as for the location within the slice.  
         [0103]    Said offset mechanism permits the use of mechanical movements similar to those used in high precision machine tools for aiming control. Said offset mechanism also permits the use of a pneumatically driven biopsy needle activation system which will fire the biopsy needle exactly to the physician designated point, take the biopsy sample and then extract the needle very rapidly for minimum patient trauma. A side benefit to the high speed of the pneumatic system is that the inertia of the tissue into which it is being fired will tend to lessen the possibility of the needle penetration of the prostate displacing the organ, which can push the target area out of alignment.  
         [0104]    Said offset mechanism also permits the easy removal and replacement of the biopsy needle and the contained sample. An improved biopsy needle has been designed to further enhance the capability of the system. Conventional biopsy needles use a beveled tip and take the tissue sample by shearing the tissue on the long axis of the sample. Both of these design features have undesirable side effects. The beveled tip can cause the needle to deflect to the side (“plane”) as it passes through the tissue, particularly if the path of the needle happens to intersect a denser tissue area at an angle. An additional deficiency of current biopsy needles is that the longitudinal shearing action of their sample gathering mechanism can produce more tissue distortion than the pathologists would like to see, thereby making diagnosis more difficult. If the tissue is too dense the current design will sometimes not retrieve a tissue sample. The improved needle design has a square section, bilaterally symmetrical “javelin” point, which has little or no tendency to deviate from the desired path. It is an end harvesting design that cuts and encloses the tissue sample via to opposing cutting blades that “nip” off the tissue sample. Such an arrangement produces less distortion of the tissue for more accurate examination and analysis by the pathologist.  
         [0105]    As a safety feature, when the physician has selected the biopsy site, the computer will set the X and Y needle guide movements to the correct position and then will set the Z movement to control the depth of penetration. The boundaries of the prostate are shown on screen along with the slice number and computed location of the point to be biopsied.  
         [0106]    For further safety consideration an independent sensor mounted on each axis of the movement verifies the actual position that the mechanical movements have taken in response to the computer command. That position will be displayed on screen and should agree with the computed slice number. The physician makes that comparison and if satisfied with the concordance he activates the “Biopsy Armed” control. Only when this step has been accomplished does the computer give access to the “Activate Biopsy Needle” command box. This functionality is not disclosed by any other biopsy system.  
         [0107]    An alternative method of determining if a detected, suspicious area is in fact malignant is disclosed herein. A miniature coil, mounted on the transurethral probe is used to impose a pulsating field on the volume of the prostate. This field is detected by a complimentary coil mounted on a specially modified biopsy needle. The sensitivity of the sensing coil is modulated by the bioimpedance of the tissue immediately surrounding the tip of said biopsy needle, i.e. the area of suspicion into which it has been directed. Studies have shown that the bioimpedance of a malignant cancer differs markedly from that of a benign tumor, or from normal tissue. This data can be used to corroborate, or to give a quick indication of the threat posed by that area of suspicion. This technique appears to offer advantages over the laser florescent technique that has been reported in the literature, since it works over a volume of tissue and does not require the direct exposure necessary for laser florescence. An alternative embodiment would use two coils mounted directly on the biopsy needle. Such an arrangement would give a more localized reading. The physician interacts with the computer via sealed, sterilizable touch controls. He or she uses a touch pad to select the target of interest for biopsy by sliding the intersection of a set of full screen cross hairs to the center of the desired area and touching the select button.  
         [0108]    Most of the controls take the form of a series of nested menus of on screen dialog boxes. The control menus are hierarchical with only a small number of context sensitive controls on screen at any one time. There is a full time, context sensitive help window that defines the functionality of whatever control is currently selected. For activities where it is appropriate for safety reasons, the help window will be supplemented with a prerequisite check list, each element of which must be checked off by the physician before the next one is displayed. All check list elements must be cleared before the command functionality is enabled.  
         [0109]    A special chair is incorporated for maximum flexibility and accuracy in the positioning of the patient for these and other urological procedures. The chair is designed for ease of patient entry and exit. It quickly adapts to the size of the individual patient for comfort, and has multiple degrees of freedom for positioning of the patient. The system incorporates a laser cross-hair alignment system to assist the physician in moving the patient so that the patient&#39;s anus is in the optimal position for insertion of the transrectal sensor probe.  
         [0110]    The transrectal system uses dual side scanning ultrasound probes. The upper portion of the probe comprises the scanning transducer capsule and is less than 1 inch in diameter and less than 4 inches long, having a conical, rounded tip. In use the exterior surface is completely covered by a disposable cover. The cover is made from a material which has prior FDA approval. The scanning transducer capsule houses the scanning transducer systems which move longitudinally through the capsule in parallel. The transducer heads move along the longitudinal axis in a series of steps of about 2 mm. Each step corresponds to a sequentially numbered data slice taken transversely through the prostate. At each step both transducer heads would scan through the volume containing the prostate. The result is a series of broad, thin, scans into the prostate which overlap the complimentary scans being performed by the coordinated second system operating within the urethra. The overall effect is that of electronically dissecting the prostate into a large number of thin slices. Those slices are then integrated and analyzed by the expert system software and a level of suspicion map is presented to the doctor. Additionally, if desired, those slices can then be examined and manipulated by the physician in the virtual space provided by the computer. A second alternative transrectal sensor arrangement is to separate the transmitting and receiving functions to different types of transducers for the purpose of optimizing their respective functions.  
         [0111]    The transrectal scanning transducer biopsy capsule is mounted on a hinge joint so that it has a fore-aft movement range in the sagittal plane to accommodate patient anatomic variability. A magnetic locating system is provided to give the precise location and relationship of the transurethral and transrectal probes, for data correlation.  
         [0112]    Below the base of the sensor capsule, the remainder of the transrectal probe consists of a curved neck, which passes through the anus. The sensor capsule is mounted to the top of a handpiece, which is held by the physician if manual insertion is desired. The handpiece terminates at the top in a rounded bulge which serves as a stop to prevent it from being inserted too far into the rectum. The lower end of the handpiece couples, and is latched to the top of the canister that houses the slaved biopsy mechanism. The outer surface of the neck is covered by a continuation of the covering of the sensor capsule that acts as a seal to retain the water that has been injected into the rectum to provide an optimum ultrasonic environment, as well as accommodating the flex of the nodding movement.  
         [0113]    The neck of the transrectal probe removably encloses the gimbal needle exit that is the pivot point for the aforementioned offset biopsy mechanism. The offset biopsy mechanism consists of the following parts:  
         [0114]    The spherical gimbal for the biopsy mechanism is mounted in a socket at the top of a hollow, cone shaped support structure. The exit of the needle guide tube passes through the center of the spherical gimbal. The needle tube hangs from the gimbal down through the cone, which gives it complete freedom to be moved to any angle within the boundary of the cone. The upper end of the tube is flush with the surface of the sphere, while the lower end protrudes downwards and functions as a coupler between the gimbal and the remainder of the slaved biopsy mechanism.  
         [0115]    Said gimbal is mounted at the tip of a supporting cone that is permanently mounted to the top of the canister that houses the X, Y, Z biopsy needle positioning mechanism and the biopsy activation mechanism.  
         [0116]    When the transrectal probe handpiece is placed on the top of the said canister, said gimbal and cone pass into and are seated into a close fitting conical socket internal to the transrectal probe handpiece.  
         [0117]    When the transrectal probe handpiece is seated onto said support cone, it locks into place. When the locking action takes place, the gimbal cone fills the internal socket of the transrectal handpiece and fixes the geometric relationship between the slaved biopsy exit point and the transrectal sensor movement thus providing known coordinate inputs for the system software. Just below and adjacent to the point at which the needle will exit through the probe cover, said cover is provided with an inflatable ridge which serves to push any adjacent anal tissue down and away from the space through which the biopsy needle will be fired. Outside of the cone socket, the wall of the cover neck houses a number of lumens which lie along the slope of the outer cone, and through which pass the various mechanical elements which actuate the movement of the scanner. Ducts that provide for removal of any gas present in the rectum and the introduction of the ultrasonic water medium, and the deployment of a fiber optic system for the examination of the interior of the rectum are provided in the thickened back wall of the disposable probe cover. Since the feed tubes for water are extensions of the disposable cover; they are also disposable for the sake of cleanliness between patients. The concept of incorporating passageways into a modified condom-type cover for the probe rather than having them internal isolates the interior of the diagnostic probe and greatly simplifies the process of cleaning and sterilization.  
         [0118]    As an enhancement to the overall system in order to increase the sensitivity of the mapping, analysis and detection systems, the capability of performing an acoustic/ultrasonic technique called Dynamic Elastography is added as a sub-system to the set of available diagnostic techniques available in the present system. This embodiment differs from previous examples of the technique in that it uses a far more sophisticated method of excitation. Other implementations of the technique have used: focused ultrasound shear waves, mechanical cam type tissue displacement, or acoustic voice coil type exciters. All of the above use uniaxial presentation and a limited frequency and power capability.  
         [0119]    In the present invention, the intent is to provide higher coercive force, a broader excitation spectrum, and the capability for the selection of different angles of excitation presentation. The result is to provide a high available power, tunable excitation, where the angle of presentation to the prostate can be varied to excite different stiffness modes within the prostate, thereby enhancing the positive effects of dynamic elastography on the data acquisition from, and analysis of, any existing pathology within the prostate. The excitation elements are based on piezo-electric material. Piezo-electric materials produce a higher coercive force than other types of acoustic generators and are therefore, perfectly suited and give more capability than any previous technique for dynamic elastography. One set of transducers are applied externally to the lower abdomen. The transducers are housed in an adjustable belt like arrangement. A second set of transducers are mounted on slidably “hip fences” which are adjusted to snugly fit against the patient&#39;s hips, which are incorporated into the specially designed chair of the present system. A third set of transducers are below the patient&#39;s lower back. A fourth set of transducers are embedded in the surface of the transrectal probe, above and below the window through which the diagnostic ultrasound scans the prostate interior. By using combinations of these transducer groups, excitation waves can be produced in the prostate from many different directions. This means that any available mode of vibration within the prostate can be excited, with positive impact on the identification, location, and diagnosis of any pathologic conditions existing within the prostate. These transducers impose a modulated, frequency swept, sound wave to the abdomen, which causes a vibration of the internal structures, including the prostate. Because vibration interacts most strongly with the visco-elastic properties of various tissues, this technique will cause areas of different “stiffness” to vibrate differentially. The movement pattern is then detected by pulse-echo doppler ultrasound interrogation contained in the present system. This technique has the potential to enhance and make visible prostate cancers that would not normally be detectable owing to small size or lack of distinguishing characteristics in normal grey-scale imaging. A further enhancement to the system is the inclusion of the ability to do doppler blood flow measurements over time (4-D).  
         [0120]    Because of the coherent archiving of the patient data all measurements and scans can be accurately repeated at time intervals, and automatic digital correlation is used to produce a time-variation history for each detected condition which tracks, and quantifies the progression of the condition, a further aspect of the expert system.  
         [0121]    A further enhancement to the present slaved biopsy sub-system is the inclusion of a treatment system which is appropriate for intervention in the case of small, detected and confirmed cancers. A special biopsy needle is available which can be fired into the detected cancer and will stop in place within the cancer. The embedded tip of the needle contains a heating element that can elevate the temperature of the surrounding tissue to above the 43 degree C. temperature, which will kill the cancer cells. Because the necrotized tissue produces a different ultrasonic return than living tissue, the area of killed tissue can be monitored real time to verify that the volume of killed tissue is larger than the previously mapped volume of the detected cancer. Archiving of this data would also permit tracking the condition over time to verify that all of the cancer was indeed killed.  
         [0122]    A further enhancement of the present slaved biopsy sub-system is to provide the ability to inject high potency, anti-cancer drugs embedded in a viscous carrier, directly into a detected tumor if it is too large to use the hyperthermic technique described above. A further enhancement of the present system is to provide an endo-surgical system to deal with large detected cancers. The system uses a special needle to homogenize the tissue within the tumor and then aspirate the resulting debris. Once the cancer has been destroyed, the total removal of the malignant tissue is verified by the laser florescence technique (or by the use of the described bioimpedance system from within the created cavity, or alternatively by overlaying the ultrasonically mapped image of the cavity onto the stored image of the detected tumor mass.) Depending on the size of the created cavity, said cavity can be closed by creating a vacuum within the cavity to collapse it and then injecting a tissue adhesive to seal the cavity. Cavities that are too large for this technique are closed by filling them with a collagen gel that has been infused with the appropriate mixture of drugs. In order to absolutely preclude any “foreign body” reactions to the collagen gel, said collagen could be derived from the hair and fingernail clippings of that patient. Such a procedure produces a collagen gel that is completely biocompatible with that patient.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8