Potentiometric diagnosis of cancer in vivo

• US 4,407,300 A
• Filed: 07/14/1980
• Issued: 10/04/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert B. Davis
• Original Assignee: Robert B. Davis
• Inventors: Davis, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US06/168,018
• Time in Patent Office: 1,177 Days
• Field of Search: 128/734, 128/630, 128/639
• US Class Current: 600/547
• 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 5/415 the glands, e.g. tonsils, adenoids or thymus
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/418 lymph vessels, ducts or nodes

Abstract

Methods for scanning and diagnosing the presence or absence of malignant cancerous tissue in areas such as mammary tissue and lymph nodes of human and animal bodies by measuring the electromotive force generated by a platinum electrode or probe in contact with skin or subcutaneous portions of a body area to be diagnosed for presence or absence of said malignant tissue, and recording as suspect areas of malignant growth at least those body areas which were in contact with the probe or electrode when a significant negative electromotive force in the order of minus two millivolts or less was measured, the electromotive force being measured across two electrodes or probes, one in contact with normal skin or tissue, and the other in contact with skin or subcutaneous portions of the body area to be diagnosed.

Claims

1. A method for scanning and diagnosing the absence or presence and location of malignant cancerous tissue in an area of the body comprising:

measuring the presence or absence of a naturally-occurring electromotive force between a first probe in contact with the skin or subcutaneous portions of a body area to be diagnosed for the presence or absence of said malignant tissue, and a second probe which is maintained in contact with an area of normal body tissue, and recording as suspect, areas of malignant growth, at least those body areas which were in contact with said first probe when an electromotive force between -2.0 and -5.0 mv was measured, wherein said naturally-occurring electromotive force arises from an asymetrical distribution of metal atoms or ions about the suspected malignant tissue.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said body area comprises human mammary tissue.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said body area comprises human lymph node tissue.