Imaging probe adapter

Abstract

An imaging probe adapter for measuring the properties of a lumen like the vaginal canal, the rectum, or anal sphincter. The device has an adapter body with a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the adapter body may be formed into an insertion tip capable of easy insertion into the appropriate lumenal structure. An inflatable pressure chamber covers the distal end of the adapter body. A baseplate formed on the proximal end of the adapter body incorporates fluid channels for inflating the pressure chamber and a probe channel that receives an ultrasound probe or other suitable imaging probe. The device is used to measure and model lumenal biomechanical properties such as stiffness, compliance, elastic versus viscous contributions to overall stiffness, and total displacement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging probe adapter for measuring the properties of a lumen, comprising:
 an adapter body with a proximal end and a distal end, where the distal end is adapted for insertion into the lumen and the proximal end forms a baseplate adapted to remain outside the lumen,   a pressure chamber capable of being inflated with a liquid,   a probe channel formed in the adapter body for receiving an imaging probe capable of measuring the deformation and geometry of the pressure chamber,   one or more flow channels in the baseplate in communication with the pressure chamber, and   a system for inflating and deflating the pressure chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 1 , the pressure chamber further comprising:
 a balloon having two ends, with one end secured to the distal end of the adapter body and the other end secured to the baseplate.   
     
     
         3 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 1 , in which the system for inflating and deflating the pressure chamber further comprises a pump connected by tubing to the one or more flow channels in the baseplate. 
     
     
         4 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 3 , further comprising the pump being a syringe pump or peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         5 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising a system for measuring the internal pressure of the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 5 , in which the system for measuring the internal pressure of the pressure chamber is pressure transmission tubing connecting the pressure chamber via a flow channel to a pressure transducer that is external to the adapter. 
     
     
         7 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 5 , in which the system for measuring the internal pressure of the pressure chamber is a pressure transducer mounted in the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 1 , further comprising channels formed in the baseplate to allow wiring or tubing to pass through the baseplate into the pressure chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The imaging probe adapter of  claim 1 , where the probe channel formed in the adapter body is adapted to receive an endoanal ultrasound probe. 
     
     
         10 . A method for measuring the structural integrity and structural health of the female pelvic floor, comprising:
 inserting an imaging probe into an imaging probe adapter,   where the imaging probe adapter comprises an adapter body with a proximal end and a distal end, and where the distal end is adapted for insertion into the lumen and the proximal end forms a baseplate adapted to remain outside the lumen, a probe channel formed in the adapter body for receiving an imaging probe, a pressure chamber capable of being inflated with a fluid, one or more flow channels in the baseplate in communication with the pressure chamber, and a system for inflating and deflating the pressure chamber;   inserting the distal end of the imaging probe adapter into a patient's vagina;   inflating the imaging probe adapter pressure chamber with fluid;   obtaining pressure measurements of the pressure chamber;   using the imaging probe to obtain measurements of the deformation of the pressure chamber;   using the imaging probe to obtain measurements of the geometry of the pressure chamber; and   resolving the obtained measurements to model vaginal biomechanical properties at one or more locations within the vagina.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising using the obtained measurements to create a graphic representation of the 3-dimensional shape of the vagina under various pressures. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising using the obtained measurements to create a graphic representation of the 3-dimensional shape of the vagina under various pressures accompanied or overlaid by a map describing various biomechanical properties. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising using the obtained measurements to create a map depicting biomechanical properties along the vaginal geometry. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , where the mapped biomechanical properties may include one or more biomechanical properties such as stiffness, compliance, elastic versus viscous contributions to overall stiffness, or total displacement. 
     
     
         15 . A method for measuring the properties of a lumen, comprising:
 inserting an imaging probe into an imaging probe adapter,   where the imaging probe adapter comprises an adapter body with a proximal end and a distal end, and where the distal end is adapted for insertion into the lumen and the proximal end forms a baseplate adapted to remain outside the lumen, a probe channel formed in the adapter body for receiving an imaging probe, a pressure chamber capable of being inflated with a fluid, one or more fluid channels in the baseplate in communication with the pressure chamber, and a system for inflating and deflating the pressure chamber;   inserting the distal end of the imaging probe adapter into a lumen;   inflating the imaging probe adapter pressure chamber with fluid;   obtaining pressure measurements of the pressure chamber;   using the imaging probe to obtain measurements of the deformation of the pressure chamber;   using the imaging probe to obtain measurements of the geometry of the pressure chamber; and   resolving the obtained measurements to model lumenal biomechanical properties at one or more locations within the lumen.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising using the obtained measurements to create a graphic representation of the 3-dimensional shape of the lumen under various pressures. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising using the obtained measurements to create a map depicting biomechanical properties along the lumenal geometry. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , where the mapped biomechanical properties may include one or more biomechanical properties such as stiffness, compliance, elastic versus viscous contributions to overall stiffness, or total displacement.