System for examining, mapping, diagnosing, and treating diseases of the prostate

摘要

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.