A Cambridge doctor is close to beginning clinical trials for a "ground-breaking" device he has invented to improve the safety of prostate biopsies.
Urologist Vincent Gnanapragasam has worked with the clinical engineering department at Addenbrooke’s Hospital to develop the device.
The device will allow the transperineal route, with local anaesthetic, to be used for biopsies of men rather than the current method of needle biopsy.
Known as the Camprobe, it has been developed with a grant of £800,000 from the National Institute for Health Research.
The inventor says he is now refining the final design and, at the same time, working with the hospital’s Cambridge Cancer Trials Unit to draw up details of the clinical trial.
Mr Gnanapragasam said: “One of the key challenges going forwards is in making clinicians aware that there will be a much safer way of doing biopsies, which removes the risks of prostate biopsy related infections, some of which could be multi-antibiotic resistant.
"This is much better for patients and has the potential to save millions when looked at on a global or national scale.”
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