PSA Biosensor: Clinical Staging of Prostate Cancer
PSA concentration can be measured within minutes, from either in-vivo or ex-vivo tissue fluid samples
Introducer / Needle
Detail of InvivoSense Probe
The PSA Biosensor is a single use / disposable InvivoSense probe that consists of a combined fibre optic/hydrogel sensor protected within a polymer tube. The tube diameter is 1mm.
PSA concentration measurements are taken by analysing reflected infra-red light response.
SmartGel
SmartGel location and mechanism of action. Enzyme = PSA
At the tip of the InvivoSense Probe is a 5nL volume droplet of “SmartGel”. In the case of Prostate cancer, the enzyme is PSA. It biochemically reacts with the SmartGel polymer chain cross-links, breaks them, and the gel expands.
Tissue Fluid Sampling
Diagram illustrating probe position and PSA measurement
The InvivoSense PSA Biosensor can be used to detect PSA in-vivo or ex-vivo tissue fluid. The probe is inserted from a transrectal position under transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) imaging guidance, for in vivo sampling, in a similar manner as a biopsy needle. Ex-vivo PSA measurements are performed on tissue fluid from biopsy tissue samples.The probe is also being considered for PSA lymph node sampling before radical prostatectomy procedures.
In-vivo and ex-vivo tissue fluid samples
Accurate between 1mg/L-1g/L PSA concentration
Ongoing clinical trials in UK and Norway