Tissue Impedance Quality Assessment Algorithm
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The clinical diagnosis of skin cancer, particularly malignant melanoma, is challenging due to the difficulty in distinguishing diseased tissue from healthy tissue using electrical impedance measurements, which are affected by irregular current paths and complex, multivariate data sets, often contaminated with noise and requiring accurate reference measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that assess the quality of electrical impedance measurements by applying an evaluation algorithm to the obtained data, which includes noise reduction and physiological filtering, to determine the suitability of the measurements for diagnosing tissue conditions, using multiple electrodes to obtain impedance values at various frequencies and depths, and presenting the assessment to facilitate decision-making.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If electrical impedance measurements are performed to diagnose tissue conditions, then diagnostic capability is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to irregular current paths and noise contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing quality assessment of impedance measurements before using them for diagnosis. The evaluation algorithm checks measurement quality criteria (such as signal-to-noise ratio, contact quality, and physiological plausibility) in advance to ensure only reliable measurements are used for diagnostic purposes, thereby preventing unreliable data from compromising diagnostic accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary quality assessment layer between the impedance measurement and the diagnostic decision. This intermediary evaluation algorithm acts as a mediator that filters and validates measurements, separating reliable data from unreliable data before they reach the diagnostic interpretation stage, thus resolving the contradiction between diagnostic capability and measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If complex multivariate impedance data is analyzed to improve diagnostic accuracy, then diagnostic precision is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by isolating and evaluating specific quality parameters from the complex multivariate impedance data. Instead of processing all complex multivariate data uniformly, the system extracts key quality indicators (such as individual frequency components, signal-to-noise ratios, and contact quality metrics) and evaluates them separately through the quality assessment algorithm, thereby reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining diagnostic precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex data processing task into distinct modules: impedance measurement, quality assessment, and diagnostic interpretation. The quality assessment module is further segmented into multiple evaluation criteria (signal quality, contact quality, physiological plausibility). This segmentation allows each module to handle specific aspects of the data independently, reducing the complexity burden on any single processing stage while maintaining overall diagnostic precision.
3Reliability
If reference tissue measurements are obtained to improve diagnostic accuracy, then measurement reliability is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assessing the quality of reference tissue measurements in advance before they are used for diagnostic comparison. The evaluation algorithm quickly determines whether the reference measurement meets quality criteria (such as appropriate impedance values and signal quality), allowing the system to proceed with diagnosis using only the necessary reference measurements, thereby reducing unnecessary time delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the quality assessment results to determine whether reference tissue measurements should be obtained and used. If the assessment indicates that reference measurements are not needed or are of insufficient quality, the system can skip unnecessary measurement steps, thereby reducing total measurement time while maintaining reliability through selective use of only high-quality reference data when appropriate.
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 approach improves the accuracy and reliability of tissue condition diagnosis by evaluating the quality of impedance measurements, reducing errors, and providing a clear indication of measurement usability, thus aiding in the early detection of skin cancers like melanoma.
Implementation Method 1
electrical currents within the body follow the path of least resistance
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of assessing the quality of an electrical impedance measurement on tissue of a subject, the method comprising: performing the impedance measurement on a tissue region of said tissue of the subject, whereby impedance data is obtained, said data comprising at least one impedance value measured in said tissue region; applying an evaluation algorithm to the obtained impedance data, whereby the quality of the impedance measurement is assessed; and presenting the assessed quality of the impedance measurement such that a decision can be made on whether to use the impedance measurement for diagnosing a condition of said tissue of the subject. The invention also relates to a device for electrical impedance measurement on tissue of a subject.