US6690181B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impedance measurements of bodily matter
Assignee: KAIKU PROCESS SOLUTIONS Ltd
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Filing: 2000-01-05
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Granted: 2004-02-10
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Expires: 2020-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of bodily matter in a resonant circuit and which may be used to analyse the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Mark Dowdeswell
- 👤 Peter Alfred Payne
- 👤 Mohammed El Hassan Amrani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B5/0537; A61B5/48; A61B5/4869; A61B5/0531
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said method comprising the steps of: applying a first electrical signal to a first sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a first frequency range including a resonant frequency; measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the first frequency range whereby to generate an impedance spectrum of the first sample; applying a second electrical signal to a second sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a second frequency range including a resonant frequency; measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the second frequency range whereby to generate an impedance spectrum of the second sample; comparing the impedance spectrum of the first sample and the impedance spectrum of the second sample; and deducing the relative characteristics of the first and second sample of bodily matter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said method comprising the steps of: applying a first electrical signal to a first sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a first frequency range including a resonant frequency; measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the first frequency range whereby to generate an impedance spectrum of the first sample; applying a second electrical signal to a second sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a second frequency range including a resonant frequency; measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the second frequency range whereby to generate an impedance spectrum of the second sample; comparing the impedance spectrum of the first sample and the impedance spectrum of the second sample; and deducing the relative characteristics of the first and second sample of bodily matter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said bodily matter is bodily tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said impedance quantity is the dissipation factor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical signal is a time varying electrical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the time varying electrical signal is periodic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein said time varying electrical signal is an alternating current signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the measurement of the impedance quantity is a time to frequency domain transformation of the time varying electrical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the impedance spectra may be compared to deduce a shift in the resonant frequency or a difference in the magnitude of the impedance quantity at or near to the resonant frequency.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claimed 1 wherein the first sample is a normal sample of bodily matter and the second sample is an abnormal sample of bodily matter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the comparing step comprises: calculating a shift in resonant frequency between the normal sample of bodily matter and the abnormal sample of bodily matter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the shift in resonant frequency is a downward shift in resonant frequency.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the shift in resonant frequency is an upward shift in resonant frequency.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the shift in resonant frequency is in the range −90 kHz to +100 kHz.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the comparing step comprises: calculating a change in magnitude of the impedance quantity at or near to the resonant frequency.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 conducted in vivo wherein the sample of bodily matter is exterior or interior body tissue.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sample of bodily matter is selected from the group consisting of cancerous, scarred, infected or diseased tissue.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said apparatus comprising: electrical signal applying means adapted to apply a time varying electrical signal to the sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range including a resonant frequency, wherein the electrical signal applying means includes a means for varying the frequency of the electrical signal to apply the electrical signal at a plurality of frequencies in a range including the resonant frequency; and measuring means for measuring an impedance quantity characteristic of the sample of bodily matter at each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range whereby to generate the impedance spectrum, wherein the means for varying the frequency of the electrical signal comprises at least one inductor or at least one quartz crystal resonator.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said apparatus comprising: electrical signal applying means adapted to apply a time varying electrical signal to the sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range including a resonant frequency, wherein the electrical signal applying means includes a means for varying the frequency of the electrical signal to apply the electrical signal at a plurality of frequencies in a range including the resonant frequency; and measuring means for measuring an impedance quantity characteristic of the sample of bodily matter at each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range whereby to generate the impedance spectrum, wherein the means for varying the frequency of the electrical signal comprises at least one inductor or at least one quartz crystal resonator.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the electrical signal applying means is capable of applying a time varying electrical signal which is periodic.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the electrical signal applying means is adapted for use ex vivo or in vivo (externally or internally).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the electrical signal applying means is capable of being positioned in direct or indirect electrical contact with the bodily matter.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the means for varying the frequency of the electrical signal is arranged so that the resonant frequency is below about 1 MHz.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the electrical signal applying means comprises at least two electrodes capable of being positioned in direct or indirect electrical contact with the bodily matter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the electrical signal applying means comprises at least two windings capable of being positioned in direct or indirect electrical contact with the bodily matter.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the electrical signal applying means comprises a probe adapted to be inserted into a bodily cavity and to enable measurement of the impedance spectrum characteristic of the surrounding tissue.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the measuring means comprises an impedance analyzer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein the measuring means is capable of performing a time to frequency domain transformation of the time varying electrical signal.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said method comprising the steps of: applying an electrical signal to the sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range including a resonant frequency; and measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range whereby to generate the impedance spectrum, wherein said impedance quantity is the dissipation factor.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said method comprising the steps of: applying an electrical signal to the sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range including a resonant frequency; and measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range whereby to generate the impedance spectrum, wherein said impedance quantity is the dissipation factor.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said method comprising the steps of: applying an electrical signal to the sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range including a resonant frequency; and measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range whereby to generate the impedance spectrum, wherein the measurement of the impedance quantity is a time to frequency domain transformation of the time varying electrical signal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for generating an impedance spectrum which is characteristic of a sample of human or non-human bodily matter, said method comprising the steps of: applying an electrical signal to the sample of bodily matter at each of a plurality of frequencies in a frequency range including a resonant frequency; and measuring an impedance quantity at each of the plurality of frequencies in the frequency range whereby to generate the impedance spectrum, wherein the measurement of the impedance quantity is a time to frequency domain transformation of the time varying electrical signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2007-02-09 | 2007-08-11 | 2008-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-09 | 2011-08-11 | 2012-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-09 | 2015-08-11 | 2016-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |