Development and application of new equipment for transrectal ultrasonography

Abstract

We have successfully developed a new type of equipment for transrectal ultrasonography. The equipment consists of three parts: a transducer assembly, a radial scanner, and a chair. The specially designed transrectal transducer assembly consists of a double tube system; a concave oscillating disc is attached to the rotative inner tube. The t o p of the transducer tube is covered with a water-filled rubber balloon which is kept in contact with the rectal wall. The chair has a hole over which the anus is positioned and the tube with the radial scanner is introduced into the rectum from below. The angle of the. projecting transducer tube can be shifted freely with a lever. The depth of insertion of the transducer is controlled by the scanner handle. This "sitting posture" procedure has several advantages over the lithotomy position. The diagnostic application of this method is described for examination of different intrapelvic organs such as the prostate, the urinary bladder and the uterus.

An Evaluation of the Function of New Special Equipment for Transrectal Ultrasonotomography

“…The new special equipment for transrectal ultrasonotomography previously described (Watanabe et al 1974) was employed for the investigation.…”

“…No basic problems in the procedure were found, although hypotension of unknown origin was observed during the examination in a few cases. transrectal ultrasonotomography; complication; prostate; urinary bladder; seminal vesicles A clinically useful ultrasonotomogram of intrapelvic organs through the transrectal route was successfully obtained in 1967 (Watanabe et al 1968;Watanabe et al 1971) and a new equipment was developed for the procedure in 1973 (Watanabe et al 1974). Since then, this equipment has been used to examine more than 400 patients.…”

“…transrectal ultrasonotomography; complication; prostate; urinary bladder; seminal vesicles A clinically useful ultrasonotomogram of intrapelvic organs through the transrectal route was successfully obtained in 1967 (Watanabe et al 1968;Watanabe et al 1971) and a new equipment was developed for the procedure in 1973 (Watanabe et al 1974). Since then, this equipment has been used to examine more than 400 patients.In this report, the function of the equipment will be evaluated on the basis of data obtained from these cases, while clinical evaluations of the procedure have been reported elsewhere ). …”

“…A clinically useful ultrasonotomogram of intrapelvic organs through the transrectal route was successfully obtained in 1967 (Watanabe et al 1968; Watanabe et al 1971) and a new equipment was developed for the procedure in 1973 (Watanabe et al 1974). Since then, this equipment has been used to examine more than 400 patients.…”

Transrectal ultrasound imaging of the prostate: review and perspectives of recent developments

“…Since the introduction of TRUS by Watanabe et al in 1968 6,7 TRUS has evolved signi®cantly and the application of TRUS to evaluate the condition of the prostate has been well established. Some of the possibilities are undisputed, such as volume measurement of the prostate and guidance of prostate biopsies to areas of interest.…”