Electrical Impedance Scanning for Tissue Mass Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast cancer detection methods, particularly mammography, are inadequate for young women under 40 due to radiation concerns and difficulty differentiating breast tissue from tumors, and there is a need for a non-invasive, low-cost diagnostic tool that can effectively detect and characterize tissue abnormalities in various body tissues.
Innovation Solution
An electrical impedance scanning method using a complex waveform with even and odd harmonics across multiple frequencies to differentiate between benign and malignant tissue masses by analyzing phase and amplitude changes, avoiding the need for absolute capacitance and resistance measurements and applicable to various tissues and organs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mammography is used for breast cancer detection, then detection capability is improved, but radiation exposure and difficulty in differentiating tissue from tumors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/radiation-based mammography system with an electrical impedance-based detection system. Electrical signals are applied to the breast tissue and impedance measurements are taken to detect tumors, eliminating radiation exposure while maintaining detection capability through electrical field interactions with tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameter from radiation absorption (mammography) to electrical impedance characteristics. By measuring impedance at multiple frequencies and analyzing phase and amplitude changes, the system detects tissue abnormalities without using ionizing radiation, thus resolving the contradiction between detection reliability and radiation harm.
2Reliability
If mammography is used for breast cancer detection, then detection capability is improved, but ability to differentiate tissue from tumors in young women deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from single-frequency impedance measurement to multi-frequency impedance spectroscopy. By applying electrical signals at multiple frequencies and analyzing the phase and amplitude responses, the system captures detailed impedance spectra that reveal tissue composition differences, enabling better differentiation of dense breast tissue from tumors in young women.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the frequency dimension to impedance measurement. Instead of a single impedance value, the system measures impedance across multiple frequencies, creating a frequency-dependent impedance spectrum. This additional dimension provides more information about tissue properties, improving the ability to differentiate between normal and abnormal tissue.
3Measurement precision
If complex waveform with multiple frequencies is used, then tissue characterization accuracy is improved, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic electrical waveforms at multiple frequencies to stimulate tissue. By applying sinusoidal signals at different frequencies and measuring the steady-state impedance responses, the system achieves accurate tissue characterization through periodic excitation, which simplifies the measurement process compared to aperiodic or transient methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures impedance characteristics at multiple frequencies to create an impedance spectrum that copies the tissue's electrical properties across different frequency domains. This spectral copying provides comprehensive tissue characterization information without requiring physical sampling or complex invasive procedures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method provides a non-radiation, low-cost diagnostic tool for breast cancer detection and characterization, effectively differentiating between benign and malignant masses, and can be used for other tissues, offering improved sensitivity and specificity without patient-specific variations.
Implementation Method 1
An electrical impedance scanning method using a complex waveform with even and odd harmonics across multiple frequencies to differentiate between benign and malignant tissue masses by analyzing phase and amplitude changes
Data Source
AI summary
A device is described for measuring electrical characteristics of biological tissues with plurality of electrodes and a processor controlling the stimulation and measurement in order to detect the presence of abnormal tissue masses in organs. Examples of suitable organs are the breast, skin, oral cavity, lung, liver, colon, rectum, cervix, and prostate and determine probability of tumors containing malignant cancer cells being present in tissue. The approach can also be applied to biopsied tissue samples. The device has the capability of providing the location of the abnormality. The method for measuring electrical characteristics includes placing electrodes and applying a voltage waveform in conjunction with a current detector. A mathematical analysis method is then applied to the collected data, which computes spectrum of frequencies and correlates magnitudes and phases with given algebraic conditions to determine mass presence and type.