Probe Insertion Guide with User-Directing Features

1 . A probe-insertion guiding apparatus comprising:

(a) a template which comprises a plurality of apertures sized and shaped to accommodate therapeutic probes inserted therethrough;

(b) a command receiver operable to receive a command specifying a template aperture through which a probe is to be inserted; and

(c) at least one of group consisting of:

(i) a first output device operable to output a signal serving to indicate which template aperture is specified by said received command; and

(ii) a probe detection module operable to detect when and where a probe is inserted in one of said plurality of apertures.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising said first output device, and wherein said output signal is sensory signal perceivable by a user.

3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising said first output device, and wherein said output signal is an electronic signal operable to control a servomechanism.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said electronically generated signal is a digital signal.

5 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said electronic signal is an analog signal.

6 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said electronic signal is communicated by a means selected from a group consisting of wired communication, wireless radio communication, optical communication, and infra-red communication.

7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , comprising both said first output device and said probe detection module.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a feedback mechanism operable to inform a user whether or not a probe inserted by said user has been inserted in an aperture specified by a received command.

9 . The apparatus of claim 1 comprising said first output device, and wherein said output device comprises at least one of a group consisting of:

(a) a lighting device operable to highlight a selected aperture;

(b) a pair of lighting devices operable to specify a selected aperture by highlighting a specific row of apertures and a specific column of apertures;

(c) a pair of light beams operable to highlight a portion of a probe positioned near or within a selected aperture;

(d) a LED highlighting module operable to indicate a selected aperture by illuminating selected LEDs, thereby creating a visual pattern which comprises two illuminated lines intersecting at said selected aperture;

(e) an auditory output device operable to emit a characteristic sound when a probe approaches a selected aperture;

(f) a voice output device operable to verbally identify a selected aperture; and

(g) an image output device operable to present to a user an image of said template on which an image of a selected aperture is highlighted.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , comprising a lighting device operable to use colored illumination to highlight a selected aperture.

11 . The apparatus of claim 1 comprising said probe detection device, and wherein said probe detection device comprises at least one of a group consisting of:

(a) a magnetic detector;

(b) a microswitch;

(c) a current detector operable to detect a current in a circuit completed by passage of a probe body between electrical contacts;

(d) a voltage detector operable to detect a voltage in a circuit completed by passage of a probe body between electrical contacts; and

(e) an image-interpretation detector which comprises

(i) a camera operable create a real-time image of said template; and

(ii) image interpretation software operable to detect presence of a probe in or near a selected aperture by algorithmic interpretation of a real-time template image created by said camera.

12 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a feedback module which comprises a second output device and a controller operable to receive input from said probe detection device and to command said second output device to output a pre-defined first signal when said probe detection device reports insertion of a probe in an aperture specified by said received command.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said first output device and said second output device are a common output device.

14 . The apparatus of claim 7 , further comprising a feedback module which comprises a second output device and a controller operable to receive input from said probe detection device and to command said second output device to output a pre-defined second signal when said probe detection device reports insertion of a probe in an aperture different from that specified by said received command.

15 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said controller is further operable to command said second output device to output a pre-defined second signal when said probe detection device reports insertion of a probe in an aperture different from that specified by said received command.

16 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said second output device comprises one or more of a group consisting of:

(a) a generator of light;

(b) a generator of sound;

(c) a voice generator;

(d) an image display;

(e) an electronic signal generator operable to generate a signal detectable by a remote electronic receiver; and

(f) a control-signal generator operable to generate a signal directed to a remote controller operable to control activation of an inserted probe.

17 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising at least one depth detector operable to detect depth of insertion of a probe within an aperture.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said depth detector is an optical reader operable to count markings on an inserted probe as said probe is inserted in an aperture.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , further operable to provide feedback to a user, which feedback provides information relating actual inserted depth of said inserted probe to a probe depth command received by said command receiver.

20 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a reusable frame to which said template is attachable, said frame and said template being so shaped and so positioned when said template is attached to said frame that a probe may traverse said apertures of said template while said template is attached to said frame.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said frame comprises at least one electrical component.

22 . The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said template is designed for one-time use.

23 . A method of guiding probe insertion by a user, comprising:

(a) indicating a next probe location to a user;

(b) detecting an indication that a probe was inserted into the location.