Electrical impedance method and apparatus for detecting and diagnosing diseases

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for detecting and diagnosing disease states in a living organism by using a plurality of electrical impedance measurements. In particular, the invention provides for an improved electrode array for diagnosing the presence of a disease state in the human breast, and discloses a method of application of the array to the breast that ensures that the multiplicity of impedance measurements obtained from a first body part correspond as precisely and reproducibly as possible to the multiplicity of impedance measurements that are obtained from another, homologous, second body part. A number of diagnostic methods based on homologous electrical difference analysis are disclosed, including the calculation of a number of metrics used to indicate disease states by comparison with pre-established threshold values, and the construction of a number of graphical displays for indicating the location of disease to a body part sector.

1 - 125 . (canceled)  
     
     
         126 . Apparatus for obtaining and processing impedance measurements from an electrode array for diagnosing the presence of a disease state in a living organism, the apparatus comprising: 
 a) means to connect the apparatus to the electrode array, the connection means including a multiplexer;    b) means to control the multiplexer, the control means including at least one EEPROM chip containing a selection pattern for producing a set of impedance measurements;    c) computer means to operate the control means; and    d) means connected to the computer means to display the impedance measurements and any analysis thereof.    
     
     
         127 . Apparatus according to  claim 126  wherein the connection means comprises two multiplexers.  
     
     
         128 . Apparatus according to  claim 127  wherein the control means includes at least three EEPROM chips.  
     
     
         129 . Apparatus according to  claim 128  further comprising a counter to sequence the multiplexer through the set of impedance measurements.  
     
     
         130 . Apparatus according to  claim 126  wherein the display means comprises a printer.  
     
     
         131 . Apparatus according to  claim 126  wherein the display means comprises a display screen.  
     
     
         132 . Apparatus according to  claim 131  wherein each impedance measurement is displayed as a grid element.  
     
     
         133 . Apparatus according to  claim 132  wherein means are provided to identify the corresponding electrodes of the electrode array used to obtain the impedance measurement represented by a given grid element.  
     
     
         134 . Apparatus according to  claim 133  wherein the identifying means can be used to provide a value of the impedance measurement represented by the grid element.  
     
     
         135 . Apparatus according to  claim 134  wherein means can be provided on the display to indicate that the value of the impedance measurement represented by the grid element does not correspond to a predetermined expected value.