Patent Application
20120302890
N/A
The invention generally relates to a unique method of holding an ultra-sound probe used to provide brachytherapy.
The concept of insertion of radioactive sources into the prostate for the treatment of prostate cancer has a long history and dates back to the turn of the century. Many patients with prostate cancer were treated by this method in the 1960s and 1970s. At that time the radioactive seeds were placed in the prostate through an open surgical incision in the lower abdomen. Because of the uncertainty of seed placement by this method, this technique was abandoned.
By the late 1980s, technologic and scientific advances in trans-rectal ultrasound imaging had revived interest in seed implantation for the treatment of prostate cancer. The introduction of trans-rectal ultrasound probes made possible real time interactive placement of radioactive seeds into the prostate. The doctor inserts an ultrasound probe into the rectum and attaches it to a stabilizing device which holds the tool for the duration of the treatment. In addition, the development of 3-D simulation software (similar to 3D glasses used for film viewing) allows accurate determination of the dose delivered to the prostate and surrounding structures, bladder, urethra and rectum. These new tools have permitted the refinement of interstitial brachytherapy for prostate cancer and have resulted in a more accurate method of delivering the dose to the prostate gland.
There are many different tools in providing assistance to the physicians when providing radioactive seeds in the patient. There is an ultra-sound machine that uses a stepper/stabilizer to hold the probe. The stepper/stabilizer will be connected to a medical chair. Below will discussed all the component parts of the stepper/stabilizer.
The stepper is light weight state-of-the-art precision stepping device. The stepper's modular design is adaptable to a variety of transrectal transducers. The stepper features a secure centerline detent featuring 90 degree clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation with easy-to-read marking scales from either side.
The cradle is a device that is connected to the stepper. The cradle is a device that holds an ultrasound probe in a fixed position. The cradle is fixed to the stepper; the stepper allows a gentle fixed distance movement of forwards and backwards. Each step taken by the stepper is a precise measured movement. The cradle will move forward with the ultrasound probe depending on the movement of the stepper.
An ultrasound imaging system with an endo-rectal ultrasound probe. The rectal probe must be able to image in transverse section at least. It is advantageous to use a multi-plane probe to visualize any longitudinal plane in order to see the needle path. The frequency of the probe should range between 5 and 8 MHz in order to achieve the necessary spatial resolution as well as the necessary penetration depth. The endo-rectal ultrasound probe is fixed by the cradle that is connected to the stepper.
The precision stepper enables the user to advance and retract an endo-rectal ultrasound probe in the rectum to image the prostate. The endo-rectal probe is inserted into and fixed to the stepper and positioned by moving the stepper/probe combination. Any endo-rectal probe from any producer can be fit to the stepper. Probe can be rotated around the probe's long axis (±45°). The probe locks into the adjustable center position. Movable length of the probe with the stepper: 100 mm. Scale for position recognition. Step width: 2.5 mm or 5 mm selectable as well as free analog movement in and out of the rectum. Additional free analogue movement of the probe to define the exact starting point for stepwise movement: 50 mm. Template is movable (100 mm) in the direction parallel to the ER probe's long axis and can be fixed in any position.
Needle guide grid system for brachytherapy needles: Matrix of 13×13 individual channels (all channels for 18 Gauge needles—standard) 2 nomenclatures (reversible) of the needle channel rows: 1 to 7 (every second row with number, front side of template) or 0 to 12 (every row with number, back side of template) Row spacing: 5 mm in both cases. 2 nomenclatures (reversible) of the needle channel columns: A to G (every second row with letter, front side of template) or A to M (every row with letter, back side of template). Column spacing: 5 mm in both cases. The template is made of a material used for implants. It is thus fully bio-compatible.
Device that supports the stepper is the stabilizer. The stabilizer is connected to the guide rails of an OR table by a specific table holder. The stabilizer and stepper can be moved and positioned manually by the integrated handle and fixed or loosed in its position in space by turning one knob.
However, recently there have been many different problems with the cradle. The problems with the cradle are the ultra-sound probe will not stay in a fixed position, therefore, not allowing proper align of needle grid to the image on the display screen. Another problem with the cradle is that the cradle does not allow for proper 90° degree calibration, thus providing some reference point to medical personnel at a 90° degree point. Another problem with the cradle is that when providing medical treatment for the patient by the medical personnel, all moving parts on the cradle may come undone, therefore, causing the cradle to be disassembled. The disassembled cradle causes delay in providing treatment to patients. Another problem with many cradles are the needle path verification. The needle path verification can be time consuming when the medical personnel have to calibrate the cradle holding the ultra-sound probe to the needle grid. Many cradles require that the medical personnel remove or adjust the ultra-sound probe, this is very time consuming and does not provide efficient medical treatment. Therefore, there is a need in the art to improve the calibration of the ultra-sound probe and the needle path verification. Furthermore, it would be appreciated to one skilled in the art to allow medical personnel to improve patient treatment time, and provide an efficient treatment for medical personnel.
According to one general aspect, a cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure which a cradle is connected to a stepper-stabilizer via a plurality of cradle fix holes; wherein the cradle further comprises, a locking knob that is attached to a side of the cradle used for tightening and loosening; a capture knob that is mounted inside the locking knob to prevent the locking knob from detaching from the cradle; a clamp that is connected on top of the cradle used to wrap over and on top of a probe; a probe lock fixer that is attached to the clamp that fastens to the probe when the clamp is in a closed position which results in anchoring the probe inside a probe space; a micro-adjuster that is connected to both sides of the cradle; a cradle base affixed between the cradle and the stepper-stabilizer that allows for movement change in angular rotation of the horizontal axis of the cradle while being connected to the stepper-stabilizer; a plurality of roller-bearings attached between the cradle base and the cradle that rotates the cradle in a smooth angular rotation on the horizontal axis; and a perpendicular locker attached along a rail of the cradle base used to fix the cradle in a set predetermine angle.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the micro-adjuster is used to allow the cradle to be calibrated to a predetermined angle with or without the probe affixed to cradle.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the micro-adjuster is used rotates the cradle a maximum of 10° (+/−) via mechanically altering the cradle railing used to connect the cradle base.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the micro-adjuster is altered the perpendicular lock is alter in the same number of angular degrees as the micro-adjuster.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the micro-adjuster maybe altered by a screw or a release button for quick calibration.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the clamp rotates on a hinge adjoined to the cradle.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the clamp is set to lock by tightening the locking knob.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the clamp pushes down on the probe via the probe lock fixer.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the probe lock fixer is in a concave fashion to allow from maximum surface area of the probe lock fixer to touch the probe thereby resulting in no angular movement of the probe.
Further, the cradle used to hold a probe used to image a patient prior and during medical procedure wherein the probe space is used to place the probe within the cradle.
The invention generally relates to treatment of prostate cancer treatment by using a stepper-stabilizer to image the patient prior to inserting radioactive seeds for dose treatment.
