Patent ID: 8948838
Filing Date: 2015-02-03
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A probe for measuring electrical impedance of tissue of a subject comprising a plurality of electrodes, said probe being adapted to be placed in direct contact with the skin of the subject, said probe further comprising: a switching circuit for selectively connecting each electrode with an impedance measuring circuit, wherein said impedance measuring circuit is adapted to apply a voltage between two active electrodes and measure a resulting current flowing between said two active electrodes, or to inject a current flowing between said two active electrodes and measure a resulting voltage between said two active electrodes, to determine an impedance signal; and wherein said switching circuit is adapted to connect each electrode such that said electrode functions in one of at least three states including: said switching circuit is adapted to receive control signals instructing said switching circuit to activate electrode pairs, one active electrode in said first active state and the other active electrode in said second active state to form the two active electrodes connected to the impedance measuring circuit, and to deactivate remaining electrodes by switching the remaining electrodes to the inactive state, in accordance with a predetermined activation scheme, said predetermined activation scheme including to activate said electrode pairs and deactivate said remaining electrodes in a successive manner to gradually scan tissue of said subject at least at a first tissue depth so as to obtain a sequence of impedance signals from said at least first tissue depth, wherein said electrode pairs are made of adjacent electrodes.