Method for measurement of electrical characteristics of tissue

• US 20020193669A1
• Filed: 08/14/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Given Imaging Limited (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Glukhovsky, Arkady
• Granted Patent: US 6,584,348 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/302
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/041 Capsule endoscopes for imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0031 Implanted circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/05 Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves impedance plethysmography A61B5/0295; measuring movement of the entire body or parts thereof A61B5/11; detecting, measuring or recording bioelectric or biomagnetic signals of the body or parts thereof A61B5/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/053 Measuring electrical impedance or conductance of a portion of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0538 invasively, e.g. using a catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/073 Intestinal transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4255 Intestines, colon or appendix

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues includes an autonomous capsule with an external surface having openings, a plurality of electrodes located within the openings, and a processor in communication with the plurality of electrodes for generating electrical characteristics. A method for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues includes the steps of introducing into the digestive tract an autonomous electrode configuration, selecting sets of electrodes for measurement, introducing a current into the selected electrodes, collecting electrical data from the selected electrodes, and calculating electrical characteristics from the collected data.

Claims

1. A method for measuring electrical characteristics of a digestive tract in a body, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing into said digestive tract an autonomous electrode configuration;

selecting sets of electrodes for measurement;

introducing a current into said selected electrodes;

collecting electrical data from said selected electrodes; and

calculating electrical characteristics from said collected data.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said step of introducing is accomplished by swallowing.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said electrode configuration is located on an external surface of a capsule.

4. A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of transmitting said calculated electrical characteristics to a receiver outside said body.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of collecting includes obtaining a voltage between two said selected electrodes.

6. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of calculating includes calculating an impedance between two said selected electrodes.

7. A method as in claim 1 wherein the step of calculating includes calculating conductivity.

8. A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of measuring a time parameter.

9. A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of determining a distance within the digestive tract.