Monday, November 30, 2009

ProUroScan Uses Mechanical Sensoring to Visualize Prostate

Filed under: Urology

ProUroCare Medical out of Eden Prairie, MN has filed an application with the FDA to receive approval for the firm's prostate analysis tool. The ProUroScan device uses what's known as "elasticity imaging technology" to measure the stiffness of the prostate by applying pressure to the organ and feeling the physical resistance through a sensor.

Here's more from the company about its technology:

During a procedure similar in nature to the digital rectal examination for men, the clinician inserts the tip of the system's probe into the patient's rectum and palpates the prostate. Sensitive sensors on the head of the probe collect a sequence of pressure patterns when the probe is pressed against the prostate. The device consequently measures the prostate's elasticity. Each scan produces an image of the prostate and compares elasticity measurements across the gland.

Using a sophisticated positioning system and complex mathematical algorithms, the ProUroScan technology is able to assemble the individual images it generates into a composite image, or "map" of the prostate. Tissue exhibiting comparatively less elastic properties is identified by darker colors on the map, similar to how areas of precipitation are displayed on a weather radar map.

Press release: ProUroCare Medical Announces Filing of 510(k) For Prostate Imaging System... (.pdf)

Product page: ProUroScan Prostate Imaging System...

(hat tip: Minneapolis Star Tribune)

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