Simpler prostate cancer diagnosis device invented in Cambridge is launched

A device created in Cambridge that could transform the process of prostate cancer diagnosis is being launched this month.

The Cambridge Prostate Biopsy Device (CamPROBE) will reduce the risk of infection compared to traditional transrectal biopsies and improve the experience for patients.

It is also expected to cost less than half that of existing devices.

CamPROBE was devised by urology expert Prof Vincent Gnanapragasam and his team at the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Their aim was to make prostate biopsy simple, safe and affordable.

One in eight men are diagnosed with prostate cancer and the traditional process has been to use a transrectal needle biopsy of the prostate, guided by an ultrasound probe inserted into the rectum.

That approach carries a significant risk of side effects, including urinary infections and severe sepsis, as the needle traverses the rectal wall a number of times on the way to the prostate.

As a result, medical and professional bodies now advocate using the transperineal route instead - that is, using the space between the legs and under the scrotum.

CamPROBE provides a simpler method of accessing the prostate via the transperineal route in an outpatient setting.

Whereas existing devices typically require 12 incisions, this requires only two and it incorporates a needle to deliver local anaesthetic, sheathed within a coaxial cannula for ease of use.

Prof Gnanapragasam said: "In a multi-centre clinical investigation study, there were no reports of infections, device deficiencies or safety issues from use of the device – and cancer detection rates were equivalent to other means of biopsy.

“Procedure times were short and only low amounts of local anaesthetic were required, yet low pain scores were reported by patients.

“More than 85 per cent of patients said they would recommend the CamPROBE procedure to someone else as a method of having a prostate biopsy done."

Intellectual property protection has now been secured for the device, following work by healthcare innovation consultancy Health Tech Enterprise and Cambridge Enterprise, the commercialisation arm of the University of Cambridge.

They also helped procure grant funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) which paid for the CamPROBE device to be refined, clinically evaluated and commercialised.

A CE mark was secured by the CamPROBE inventors, working with product development company JEB Technologies. Cambridge Enterprise has now signed a licensing agreement for CamPROBE with JEB Technologies.

Sean Licence, head of medical devices at JEB Technologies, said: "The sheathed, coaxial cannula design means CamPROBE can be used to carry out biopsies under local anaesthetic by a single operator with one assistant.

“As well as being a free-hand device, the low cost of CamPROBE sets it apart from other devices that use the transperineal route."

JEB Technologies is launching CamPROBE at the MEDICA 2022 conference in Düsseldorf, Germany, from November 14-17.