SWITCH PROBE FOR MULTIPLE ELECTRODE MEASUREMENT OF IMPEDANCE
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides impedance data having an improved spatial resolution, both with regard to depth and lateral extension, which enables a detection of diseased skin conditions, such a malignant melanoma, at an early stage. Specifically, the present invention is implemented in a probe, medical devices and medical systems including such a probe, and methods using such a probe for measuring electrical impedance of tissue of a subject. A switching circuit is arranged for selectively activate electrode pairs of the probe in accordance with a predetermined activation scheme, the predetermined activation scheme including to activate adjacent electrodes in a successive manner, to gradually scan tissue of the subject at a first tissue depth so as to obtain a sequence of impedance signals from the tissue depth.
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Citations
53 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A probe for measuring electrical impedance of tissue of a subject comprising a plurality of electrodes, said probe being adapted to be placed in direct contact with the skin of the subject, and being connectable to an impedance measuring circuit adapted to apply a voltage and to measure a resulting current or to inject a current and to measure the resulting voltage to determine an impedance signal, further comprising:
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a switching circuit for selectively activate electrode pairs by connecting at least two of electrodes with said impedance measuring circuit and disconnecting the remaining electrodes from said impedance circuit, wherein said voltage is applied at said two electrodes and said resulting current is measured between said at least two electrodes; and
whereinsaid switching circuit is adapted to receive control signals instructing said switching circuit to activate electrode pairs in accordance with a predetermined activation scheme, said predetermined activation scheme including to activate adjacent electrodes in a successive manner to gradually scan tissue of said subject at least at a first tissue depth so as to obtain a sequence of impedance signals from said at least first tissue depth. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A measurement device for measuring electrical impedance of tissue of a subject comprising a probe having a plurality of electrodes, said electrodes being adapted to be placed in direct contact with the skin of the subject, and an impedance measuring circuit adapted to apply a voltage or to inject a current at two of said electrodes and to measure a resulting current or to measure a resulting voltage to determine an impedance signal, said measurement device further comprising:
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a switching circuit for selectively activate electrode pairs by connecting at least two of electrodes with said impedance measuring circuit and disconnecting the remaining electrodes from said impedance circuit, wherein said voltage is applied at said two electrodes and said resulting current is measured between said at least two electrodes; and a control device adapted to control said switching circuit to activate electrodes in accordance with a predetermined activation scheme, said predetermined activation scheme including to activate adjacent electrodes in a successive manner to gradually scan tissue of said subject at least at a first tissue depth so as to obtain a sequence of impedance signals from said at least first tissue depth. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. A medical system for diagnosing a diseased condition of the skin of a subject comprising a probe for measuring electrical impedance of tissue of a subject, said probe being provided with a plurality of electrodes adapted to be placed in direct contact with the skin of the subject, comprising:
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an impedance measuring circuit adapted to apply a voltage or to inject a current at two of said electrodes and to measure a resulting current or a resulting voltage to determine an impedance signal; a switching circuit for selectively activate electrode pairs by connecting at least two of electrodes with said impedance measuring circuit and disconnecting the remaining electrodes from said impedance circuit, wherein said voltage is applied at said two electrodes and said resulting current is measured between said at least two electrodes; a control device adapted to control said switching circuit to activate electrodes in accordance with a predetermined activation scheme, said predetermined activation scheme including to activate adjacent electrodes in a successive manner to gradually scan tissue of said subject at least at a first tissue depth so as to obtain a sequence of impedance signals from said at least first tissue depth; and a diagnosing unit being adapted to obtain said sequence of impedance signals and to deliver a diagnosis of a diseased condition of the tissue based on the measured impedance signals and reference values. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A method of for diagnosing a diseased condition of the skin of a subject utilizing a probe for measuring electrical impedance of tissue of a subject, said probe being provided with a plurality of electrodes adapted to be placed in direct contact with the skin of the subject, comprising:
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applying a voltage or injecting a current at two of said electrodes; measuring a resulting current or a resulting voltage to determine an impedance signal; selectively activating electrode pairs by connecting at least two of electrodes with said impedance measuring circuit and disconnecting the remaining electrodes from said impedance circuit, wherein said voltage is applied at said two electrodes and said resulting current is measured between said at least two electrodes; gradually scanning tissue of said subject at least at a first tissue depth so as to obtain a sequence of impedance signals from said at least first tissue depth by controlling activation of electrodes in accordance with a predetermined activation scheme, said predetermined activation scheme including activating adjacent electrodes in a successive manner; and delivering a diagnosis of a diseased condition of the tissue based on the measured impedance signals and reference values. - View Dependent Claims (49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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Specification