Method and system for detecting electrophysiological changes in pre-cancerous and cancerous tissue and epithelium
First Claim
1. A method for determining a condition of a region of epithelial or stromal tissue comprising:
- (A) establishing a connection between a first electrode and the tissue;
(B) placing a second electrode in electrical contact on an outer tissue surface proximate the epithelial tissue;
(C) establishing at least one electrical signal between the first and second electrodes;
(D) measuring or deriving;
(1) impedance or DC or transepithelial potential values, or a combination thereof, between the first and second electrode; and
(2) at least one additional electrophysiological property selected from the group consisting of subepithelial resistance, epithelial resistance, capacitance, characteristic frequency, and depression angle; and
(E) determining the condition of a region of epithelial tissue based on the measured or derived properties;
wherein;
(i) the measured or derived value in (D)(1) is impedance or impedance and at least one of DC potential and transepithelial potential;
(ii) at least two response curves are obtained from impedance data; and
(iii) the curves include;
(a) a high frequency curve at a frequency of about 60,000 Hz to about 100 Hz;
(b) a intermediate frequency curve at a frequency of about 100 Hz to about 10 Hz; and
(c) a low frequency curve at a frequency of about 0.1 to about 6 Hz.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the condition of selected regions of epithelial and stromal tissue. A plurality of electrodes are used to measure surface and transepithelial electropotential of tissue, especially breast tissue, as well as surface electropotential and impedance at one or more locations and at several defined frequencies, particularly low frequencies. An agent may be introduced into the region of tissue to enhance electrophysiological response characteristics. Measured and derived electrical properties facilitating diagnosis include DC potential, impedance, subepithelial resistance, epithelial resistance, capacitance, characteristic frequency, depression angle and transepithelial potential. Ambient and varying pressure measurements applied to epithelial tissue are also used for diagnosis. Improved diagnosis of tissue condition can be made based on the electrical properties and tissue electrophysiological response to altered ion transport and pressure. Devices for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.
40 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for determining a condition of a region of epithelial or stromal tissue comprising:
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(A) establishing a connection between a first electrode and the tissue; (B) placing a second electrode in electrical contact on an outer tissue surface proximate the epithelial tissue; (C) establishing at least one electrical signal between the first and second electrodes; (D) measuring or deriving; (1) impedance or DC or transepithelial potential values, or a combination thereof, between the first and second electrode; and (2) at least one additional electrophysiological property selected from the group consisting of subepithelial resistance, epithelial resistance, capacitance, characteristic frequency, and depression angle; and (E) determining the condition of a region of epithelial tissue based on the measured or derived properties; wherein; (i) the measured or derived value in (D)(1) is impedance or impedance and at least one of DC potential and transepithelial potential; (ii) at least two response curves are obtained from impedance data; and (iii) the curves include; (a) a high frequency curve at a frequency of about 60,000 Hz to about 100 Hz; (b) a intermediate frequency curve at a frequency of about 100 Hz to about 10 Hz; and (c) a low frequency curve at a frequency of about 0.1 to about 6 Hz. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification