Thermal monitoring

A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement, comprising:

• (a) a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user;
• (b) an elongate shaft extending from the handle, the elongate shaft capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape prior to insertion into a patient;
• (c) a probe portion having a first external circumference and being arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft, at a position opposite the handle portion, shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of the patient, the probe portion including a plurality of channels radially disposed along an outer surface of the probe portion and extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the probe portion, the channels configured to cause compression of the probe portion to a second smaller circumference when the probe portion passes through the anal sphincter;
• and
• (d) a temperature sensing element arranged within the distal probe portion, adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient.

A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement, comprising:

• (a) a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user;
• (b) an elongate shaft extending from the handle, the elongate shaft capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape prior to insertion into a patient;
• (c) a probe portion arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft, at a position opposite the handle portion, shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of the patient, the probe portion being provided on a rigid element separate from the shaft, the rigid element engaging a distal end of the shaft to support the probe portion thereon, the probe portion including a plurality of channels radially disposed along an outer surface of the probe portion and extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the probe portion, the channels configured to flex transversely and cause compression of the probe portion when the probe portion passes through the anal sphincter;
• and
• (d) a temperature sensing element arranged within the distal probe portion, adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient.

A rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement, comprising:

• (a) a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user;
• (b) an elongate shaft extending from the handle, the elongate shaft capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape prior to insertion into a patient;
• (c) a probe portion shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of the patient, the probe portion including a plurality of channels radially spaced about an outer surface of the probe portion and extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the probe portion, the channels configured to flex to cause compression of the probe portion when the probe portion passes through the anal sphincter;
• (d) a cover element, covering at least a portion of the distal probe portion, the cover element being made from a resilient material;
• and
• (e) a temperature sensing element arranged within the distal probe portion, beneath the cover element, adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient.

A method of inserting a rectal thermal monitor for transrectal prostate temperature measurement into a rectum of a patient, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a rectal thermal monitor comprising:
• (i) a handle arranged in a proximal end portion of the monitor for gripping by a user;
• (ii) an elongate shaft extending from the handle, the elongate shaft capable of being bent into a shape by the user and of retaining the shape prior to insertion into a patient;
• (iii) a probe portion arranged on a distal end portion of the shaft, at a position opposite the handle portion, shaped to facilitate insertion through an anal sphincter and into a rectum of the patient, the probe portion including a plurality of channels radially spaced about an outer surface of the probe portion and extending between a proximal end and a distal end of the probe portion, the channels configured to flex and to cause compression of the probe when the probe portion passes through the anal sphincter;
• (iv) a cover element, covering at least a portion of the distal probe portion, the cover element being made from a resilient material;
• and
• (v) a temperature sensing element arranged within the distal probe portion, beneath the cover element, adapted and configured to sense a temperature of the prostate of the patient through the rectum wall of the patient, the temperature sensing element being supported by the shaft of the monitor by a support extending between the shaft and the temperature sensor;
• (b) aligning a distal end of the probe portion with the anal sphincter of the patient;
• (c) urging the probe portion through the anal sphincter and into the rectum of the patient;
• and
• (d) adjusting the rectal thermal monitor to contact a portion of the rectum wall for which temperature is to be measured.