SLAVED BIOPSY DEVICE, ANALYSIS APPARATUS, AND PROCESS

摘要

A computer controlled rectal biopsy probe (10) is employed to receive an ultrasonic signal from an ultrasonic transmitter (39). Biopsy probe (10) is provided with a gimbaled head portion (12), and an elongated shaft portion (14). The aft end of probe (10) is gear connected to a stepper motor (16) via gears (17, 18) to effect controlled rotation of the probe. The mapping probe signal is employed by the biopsy probe to position a biopsy needle (34) within the rectal wall (29) in alignment with a suspect prostate tumor (35) detected by the mapping probe (40). The biopsy needle is computer controlled to penetrate the rectal wall, extend into the center of suspect tumor, and cut a tissue sample therefrom.