Electrical impedance method and apparatus for detecting and diagnosing diseases
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for detecting and diagnosing disease states in a living organism by using a plurality of electrical impedance measurements. In particular, the invention provides for an improved electrode array for diagnosing the presence of a disease state in the human breast, and discloses a method of application of the array to the breast that ensures that the multiplicity of impedance measurements obtained from a first body part correspond as precisely and reproducibly as possible to the multiplicity of impedance measurements that are obtained from another, homologous, second body part. A number of diagnostic methods based on homologous electrical difference analysis are disclosed, including the calculation of a number of metrics used to indicate disease states by comparison with pre-established threshold values, and the construction of a number of graphical displays for indicating the location of disease to a body part sector.
92 Citations
135 Claims
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1-125. -125. (canceled)
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126. Apparatus for obtaining and processing impedance measurements from an electrode array for diagnosing the presence of a disease state in a living organism, the apparatus comprising:
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a) means to connect the apparatus to the electrode array, the connection means including a multiplexer;
b) means to control the multiplexer, the control means including at least one EEPROM chip containing a selection pattern for producing a set of impedance measurements;
c) computer means to operate the control means; and
d) means connected to the computer means to display the impedance measurements and any analysis thereof. - View Dependent Claims (127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135)
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Specification