The first step is for your doctor to take a 360° scan of your prostate using a standard 2D ultrasound system connected to Artemis. Next, Artemis automatically converts the standard 2D ultrasound image into an enhanced 3D prostate image. Your physician can easily adjust the prostate boundary and contour to customize the image even further.

The result is a clear 3D prostate rendering that provides full 3D rotational functionality along with real-time views of the prostate in multiple planes – coronal (top), sagittal (side) and transverse (front). The visualization experience is amazing, allowing your doctors to see the entire prostate as one clear complete image. The power of 3D helps to increase your physician’s ability to examine the prostate for abnormalities or suspicious areas that might otherwise not be detected. By seeing the gland in 3D it’s easier for your doctor to be sure the entire prostate is examined correctly. Likewise, it’s easy to find any areas of potential concern.

Artemis and MRI (An Optional Scanning Module)

The Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Fusion Module allows physicians to integrate three images (MRI, 3D-Artemis rendering, and real-time ultrasound images) into one single visual.

MRI is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body. In many cases MRI gives different information about structures in the body than can be seen with an ultrasound. MRI also may show problems that cannot be seen with other imaging methods.

The fusion function gives physicians the most sophisticated imagery and navigational ability available. It provides high resolution along with exact structural dimensional functionality. The result is a significantly enhanced prostate examination and biopsy sampling. Your physician now can have the confidence of precise needle placement in areas identified by the radiologist during the MRI scan. The MRI fusion feature allows physicians to scale an exam and/or biopsy – from the simplest to the most advanced procedure – to meet patient needs. MRI fusion is typically useful in patients who require repeat biopsies or for patients with a negative biopsy and continued PSA escalation. MRI fusion is also helpful in patients with specific areas (or lesions) of concern of for patients with very low-risk or very high-risk disease. The optional fusion functionality allows your physician the ability to customize each procedure as needed. And it helps to simplify a busy practice by having one system that can handle every type of prostate exam and biopsy.

Under the planning module Artemis automatically generates a standard 6 or 12 core biopsy template that systemically conforms to your prostate size and shape, creating a customized patient plan. Physicians can easily make adjustments to customize the standard plan or can create an “individualized biopsy plan”. If desired, physicians can simply turn the template feature off and follow their own biopsy plan. No matter what plan is followed the Artemis tracking function will simply record wherever the biopsy sample is taken, giving your doctor maximum flexibility and control at all times. Artemis also gives your physician the option to easily and precisely add additional biopsy samples in specific locations. This is helpful in hard to see and hard to reach areas of the prostate like the apex or anterior sections. Naturally, Artemis gives physicians the ability to target biopsy in areas of abnormalities and/or suspicious sites (both with or without the MRI fusion*). Finally the planning feature allows your physician the capability to perform a true prostate biopsy mapping by using 3D visualization to plan the needle placement and track actual samples sites.

Step three is navigation and recording. Artemis allows physicians to achieve exact needle placement by using the system’s real-time dynamic needle track navigation capabilities. This unique software tracks the needle as the physician glides the ultrasound probe along each biopsy template. The software lets physicians precisely navigate where they want to take the sample by using Artemis’s XYZ navigation guidance process (much like a video game or GPS). Once the doctor aligns the ultrasound probe with the 3D template image, the probe can be temporarily locked in place and a biopsy sample is taken. Artemis then precisely records the location of the biopsy sample site for reporting. This unique software–hardware interface makes Artemis easy to learn and simple to use. Best of all, the tracking function give doctors the ability to revisit any and all previous biopsy sample sites. The process helps to eliminate blind-biopsies and guessing where the needle is.

If a patient has had a previous biopsy with Artemis, his physician can access the biopsy recording for repeat biopsy planning, including overlaying a previous prostate volume and actual biopsy site locations. This gives your doctor the ability to re-sample the same biopsy sites, sample different sites, or saturate a particular area. Most importantly, the tracking function can be used to conduct precise serial biopsy sampling for “Active Surveillance” patients. This important function can also help physicians manage patients who had a previous biopsy and patients who have already been treated for prostate cancer. Essentially, Artemis helps to create a long-term patient relationship by providing a sophisticated biopsy management platform that helps ensure that patients who return to the same clinic have their history of accurate biopsies locations recorded.

The Artemis reporting package provides exquisite visualization of the actual locations where the biopsies were taken. This information allows physicians and patients to clearly see where biopsy samples originated from and where additional sample site opportunities may exist. The report gives the physician high quality information for rebiopsy, targeted treatment and disease conformation or management. Likewise, the Artemis’ 3D pathology model is excellent for treatment planning especially in cases where a targeted ablation or nerve sparing procedure is being considered. Lastly, the 3D rendering is an excellent way for your doctor to communicate with you. Because of the high-end graphics, rich color and easy to understand advanced imagery the Artemis reports are both exciting and informative for you, the patient. The result is more information for you and a higher quality discussion about treatment options andactions. The report also sets a foundation for long-term relational management between you and your doctor regardless of diagnosis and/or treatment choice.