Portable combined transillumination and ultrasonic apparatus for examining the breast or testicle.

摘要

Portable breast or testicle examination equipment comprises a light source 7 for illuminating tissue via a light guide 5. In addition, ultrasonic transmitting means, e.g. piezoelectric sensors/transmitters (13, 14, see Figure 5) are disposed centrally 9 in the light guide 5. The device thus provides means for applying both light based diagnostics, via transillumination, and also ultrasonic methods to determine, for example, the velocity of blood flow in the tissue by Doppler frequency shift methods. Therefore, the apparatus provides a portable, home-based method for examining breasts or testicles and alerting the user on a need to go for a full, clinical checkup. The user may be alerted by audible means such as a loudspeaker if the apparatus detects vascular conditions that indicate a tumour or possible cancer and, as shown in Figure 8, the apparatus may be provided in a carry case.