System for detection of electrical bioimpedance signals
First Claim
1. A system for determining or measuring fluid content or fluid flow in a human or animal body segment, comprising:
- (a) a current generator means for generating a periodic high frequency current output in response to a periodic control signal, the current generator means comprising;
(i) a first and a second output terminal for carrying the current output, wherein the first and the second output terminal means are adapted to be electrically connectable to a first and a second portion of the human or animal body segment, respectively; and
(ii) an input terminal means for receiving the control signal;
(b) a controller means for generating the periodic control signal to control operation of the current generator means, the controller means including an output terminal for carrying the control signal, wherein the output terminal of the controller means is electrically connected to the input terminal means of the current generator means; and
(c) an electrical bioimpedance detector means for detecting a voltage between the first and the second portion of the human or animal body segment caused by the current output of the current generator means flowing between the first and the second portion of the human or animal body segment, and for generating an output signal in response, wherein the output signal is indicative of impedance in the human or animal body segment between the first and the second portion, the bioimpedance detector means comprising;
(i) a first and a second input terminal means for detecting said voltage, wherein the first and the second input terminal means of the bioimpedance detector means are adapted to be electrically connectable to the human or animal body segment proximate the first and second output terminal means of the current generator means, respectively; and
(ii) an output terminal means for carrying the detector'"'"'s output signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for detection of electrical bioimpedance signals in a human or animal body segment. The system comprises a constant current generator for generating a periodic high frequency current output across a body segment in response to a periodic control input signal, a controller for generating a periodic control output signal to control operation of the current generator and an electrical bioimpedance detector for detecting a voltage generated across the body segment by the flow of current in the segment. The electrical bioimpedance detector generates an output signal indicative of bioimpedance in the body segment. The periodic generation of a current across a body segment alleviates the potentially detrimental effects of a continuous current on body segment tissue and reduces interference with the function of certain pacemakers.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for determining or measuring fluid content or fluid flow in a human or animal body segment, comprising:
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(a) a current generator means for generating a periodic high frequency current output in response to a periodic control signal, the current generator means comprising; (i) a first and a second output terminal for carrying the current output, wherein the first and the second output terminal means are adapted to be electrically connectable to a first and a second portion of the human or animal body segment, respectively; and (ii) an input terminal means for receiving the control signal; (b) a controller means for generating the periodic control signal to control operation of the current generator means, the controller means including an output terminal for carrying the control signal, wherein the output terminal of the controller means is electrically connected to the input terminal means of the current generator means; and (c) an electrical bioimpedance detector means for detecting a voltage between the first and the second portion of the human or animal body segment caused by the current output of the current generator means flowing between the first and the second portion of the human or animal body segment, and for generating an output signal in response, wherein the output signal is indicative of impedance in the human or animal body segment between the first and the second portion, the bioimpedance detector means comprising; (i) a first and a second input terminal means for detecting said voltage, wherein the first and the second input terminal means of the bioimpedance detector means are adapted to be electrically connectable to the human or animal body segment proximate the first and second output terminal means of the current generator means, respectively; and (ii) an output terminal means for carrying the detector'"'"'s output signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of determining or measuring fluid content or fluid flow in a human or animal body segment, comprising:
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(a) periodically generating a high frequency current; (b) applying the current to a first and a second portion of the human or animal body segment; (c) detecting a voltage between a third and a fourth portion of the human or animal body segment, wherein the third and the fourth portions are located proximate the first and the second portion of the human or animal body segment, and the detected voltage is caused by impedance to the current flow in the human or animal body segment between the third and the fourth portions; and (d) generating a signal based on the detected voltage, wherein the signal is indicative of impedance in the human or animal body segment between the third and the fourth portions. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification