Methods for detecting a condition

Abstract

The invention generally relates to methods for measuring impedance change detecting a condition. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a method for detecting a condition that involves measuring impedance change over time in a region of tissue suspected to be associated with a condition to obtain an impedance signature, and comparing the impedance signature to a reference signature, thereby detecting the condition.

1 . A method for detecting a traumatic brain injury, the method comprising:
 applying at least one type of energy field via at least one energy source of a stimulation device to at least one region of brain tissue, wherein the energy field comprises a fixed energy component at a pre-determined frequency;   measuring, via a device that comprises a transduction unit, impedance change over time in the region of brain tissue suspected to be associated with a traumatic brain injury, wherein the transduction unit is configured to:
 receive a signal from the brain tissue over multiple time points; 
 generate a first impedance value at a first time point by determining a correlation at the first time point between the output of the fixed energy component at the pre-determined frequency and the received signal from the brain tissue at the first time point; 
 generate a second impedance value at a second time point by determining a correlation at the second time point between the output of the fixed energy component at the pre-determined frequency and the received signal from the brain tissue at the second time point; and 
 generate an impedance signature that is representative of a change in the first impedance value at the first time point and the second impedance value at the second time point; and 
   comparing, via a pattern recognition unit of the device, the impedance signature generated by the transduction unit to a reference signature that is indicative of the traumatic brain injury, thereby detecting the traumatic brain injury.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the applying step is repeated one or more times over a period of time.   
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein energy is mechanical energy. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein mechanical energy is produced by an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein the ultrasound device comprises a focusing element to focus the applied energy. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the mechanical energy is in combination with an additional type of energy. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the additional type of energy is selected from the group consisting of: chemical, optical, electromagnetic, and thermal. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein applying comprises a combination of an electric field and a mechanical field. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical field is generated by an ultrasound device. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the electric field is pulsed. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the electric field is time varying. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the electric field is pulsed a plurality of time, and each pulse may be for a different length of time. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the electric field is time invariant. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical field is pulsed. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical field is time varying. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical field is pulsed a plurality of time, and each pulse may be for a different length of time. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the region of brain tissue is selected from the group consisting of: dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex, any component of the basal ganglia, nucleus accumbens, gastric nuclei, brainstem, thalamus, inferior colliculus, superior colliculus, periaqueductal gray, primary motor cortex, supplementary motor cortex, occipital lobe, Brodmann areas 1-48, primary sensory cortex, primary visual cortex, primary auditory cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, cochlea, cranial nerves, cerebellum, frontal lobe, occipital lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, and sub-cortical structures. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the impedance signature is based on changes of the spectral content of the impedance measurements. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein energy is electrical energy. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the electrical energy is produced by placing at least one electrode in or near the tissue. 
     
     
         22 .- 26 . (canceled)