Prostate cancer affects one in seven men, yet the primary screening method, the digital rectal examination (DRE), remains subjective, uncomfortable, and often avoided. Aiming to change this, Loughborough University student Devon Tyso has designed PRO check, an innovative medical device that could revolutionize prostate assessments in clinical settings.
Unlike traditional exams reliant on a doctor’s touch, PRO check offers objective, visual, and measurable insights into prostate health. The device uses a laser grid projected onto a pressure-inflated condom covering a probe. As pressure is applied to the prostate, cameras capture how the laser grid deforms. Mathematical modeling then generates a 3D topographical map of the prostate’s surface, highlighting stiffness, irregularities, and volume.
This method doesn’t just improve diagnostic accuracy, it also offers a less invasive, data-driven alternative that may encourage more men to get checked earlier. It even generates a compressibility-versus-pressure graph, introducing a new diagnostic metric to complement PSA testing.
Inspired by NASA’s asteroid mapping techniques and his grandfather’s diagnosis, Devon’s design exemplifies how cross-disciplinary thinking can solve pressing health challenges. With further development, PRO check could become a standard tool in GPs’ offices, enhancing early detection and long-term monitoring of prostate health.
Article written by Loughborough University team
04/07/2025
Source:
Loughborough University
https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2025/june/student-designs-prostate-screening-device/