Ultrasonic Rod Probe with Pressure-Sensitive Tissue Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound rod probes for rectal or vaginal examinations, particularly for prostate detection, pose a high risk of mechanical injury to the vessel wall during insertion and positioning, especially when using focused high-pressure water jets for prostate treatment, due to restricted mobility and anatomical structure evasion.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a pressure-sensitive element, such as an elastomer nipple, gel pad, or electric pressure sensor on the probe head, which deforms upon contact with biological tissue to alert the surgeon of impending damage, reducing the risk of injury by providing timely feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the ultrasound probe is inserted and advanced during prostate treatment, then the adenoma can be detected and treated, but the risk of injuring the bowel wall increases due to restricted mobility and anatomical structure evasion
Solution Approach 1:
A gel pad is attached to the distal end of the ultrasound probe to act as a cushioning element. This gel pad deforms upon contact with the bowel wall, providing a mechanical buffer that prevents direct mechanical injury to the bowel wall during probe insertion and advancement, while still allowing the ultrasound transducer to function effectively for adenoma detection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the surgeon uses experience and sensitivity to reduce injury risk, then bowel wall injury can be minimized, but the complexity of the surgical procedure increases and requires highly skilled operators
Solution Approach 1:
The gel pad provides tactile feedback to the surgeon during probe insertion by deforming when it contacts the bowel wall. This mechanical feedback mechanism allows the surgeon to sense bowel wall proximity and adjust insertion depth accordingly, reducing injury risk without requiring advanced surgical experience or complex electronic sensing systems
3Ease of operation
If the probe head is rounded for smooth insertion, then insertion ease is improved, but the ability to provide precise tactile feedback about bowel wall contact is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The probe head features a dual-design: the main body has a rounded surface for smooth insertion, while the distal end incorporates a localized gel pad with different mechanical properties. This gel pad has higher deformability specifically at the contact point, providing enhanced tactile feedback about bowel wall contact while maintaining the overall rounded geometry for easy insertion
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The pressure-sensitive elements allow for early detection of potential bowel wall injury, enabling the surgeon to adjust the insertion process, thereby significantly reducing the risk of mechanical damage during probe insertion and positioning.
Implementation Method 1
at least one pressure-sensitive element is attached to the probe head, which element undergoes deformation in response to mechanical contact with an object when a pressure acting between the pressure-sensitive element and the object is exceeded
Data Source
AI summary
Described is an arrangement with an ultrasonic rod probe for carrying out rectal or vaginal examinations, having a distally rounded probe head, at least in which an ultrasonic transducer is integrated. The invention is distinguished by the fact that attached to the probe head is at least one pressure-sensitive element which, in response to mechanical contact with an object, undergoes deformation when a pressure acting between the pressure-sensitive element and the object is exceeded.