Prostate Tactile Sensing for Quantified Cancer Self-Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prostate cancer diagnosis methods, such as digital rectal examinations and ultrasound examinations, rely heavily on subjective medical staff judgment and lack quantifiable data, leading to low reliability and discomfort for patients, and there is a need for a more reliable and accessible self-diagnosis method.
Innovation Solution
A prostate cancer diagnosis system using a tactile sensor to visualize tactile sensations as images, combined with a mobile device for analyzing tactile sensation data to diagnose prostate cancer, allowing for self-diagnosis and reducing reliance on medical experts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If digital rectal examination is performed by medical staff using tactile sensation, then prostate disease can be diagnosed, but the subjective judgment of medical staff intervenes significantly and reliability is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical tactile sensation system with an electrochemical sensing system. Instead of relying on medical staff's finger palpation, the system uses a sensor that detects electrical properties of prostate tissue to objectively measure tissue characteristics, eliminating subjective human judgment and improving both reliability and measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sensing device between the examination target and the observer. The sensor acts as a mediator that converts physical tissue properties into electrical signals, which are then processed to provide objective diagnosis data, removing the need for direct human tactile interaction.
2Measurement precision
If ultrasound probe is inserted through the anus to obtain prostate images, then visual information can be obtained, but it causes shame and pain to patients and requires alternating insertion with digital examination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical ultrasound probe insertion with a non-invasive electrical sensing system. Instead of inserting a probe through the anus, the system applies electrodes to the prostate tissue to detect electrical properties, eliminating the physical intrusion that causes patient discomfort and shame while maintaining diagnostic capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables patients to perform self-examination at home using the sensor device, eliminating the need for medical staff insertion and reducing the psychological burden of clinical examinations. The device is designed to be used independently by the patient without requiring insertion through the anus.
3Ease of operation
If digital rectal examination is performed by inserting finger into rectum, then prostate can be touched directly, but examination information cannot be quantified and sharing with other medical staff is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical finger palpation system with an electrical sensing system that automatically quantifies tissue properties. The sensor detects electrical characteristics of the prostate tissue and converts them into numerical data, enabling objective measurement, storage, and sharing of examination information without requiring direct manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the prostate tissue characteristics through electrical sensing. Instead of relying on the physical finger's tactile perception, the system generates an electrical signal representation of the tissue properties that can be stored, transmitted, and analyzed objectively, preserving examination information without loss.
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 system increases the reliability of prostate cancer palpation, reduces costs, and enables early self-examination and continuous monitoring, encouraging voluntary screening by eliminating patient aversion and shame, and allowing real-time monitoring of prostate cancer development.
Implementation Method 1
visualize the tactile sensation as an image by using electrodes applied according to changes in elasticity of prostate tissue to which pressure is applied
Implementation Method 2
using electrodes applied according to changes in elasticity of prostate tissue to which pressure is applied
Data Source
AI summary
A prostate cancer diagnosis system and method for predicting prostate cancer by digitally converting tactile sensations of a user is proposed, and according to the proposed system and method, the system is configured to include a prostate cancer measurement device configured to visualize the tactile sensation as an image by using electrodes applied according to changes in elasticity of prostate tissue to which pressure is applied, and a mobile device configured to receive visualized prostate tactile sensation numerical data from the prostate cancer measurement device, analyze presence or absence of the tissue on the basis of the prostate tactile sensation numerical data, and diagnose the prostate cancer through a result of analyzing the numerical data, so as to output the diagnosis, wherein palpation of the prostate cancer can be caused by using a small tactile sensor and easy diagnosis of an early-stage prostate nodule is possible without relying on experts.