Patent ID: 8845555
Filing Date: 2014-09-30
Classification: A61B,G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for evaluating tissue to predict a presence of cancerous tissue, comprising steps of: applying a shear force to a location on said tissue using at least one sensor comprising a piezoelectric material; detecting a shear displacement resulting from application of said shear force on said tissue using said sensor with a measuring device connected to said piezoelectric material through at least one conductive element; determining a net shear force exerted on said location from a combination of the applied shear force and a countering shear force resulting from tissue deformation; and deducing a shear modulus of said tissue at said location from the net shear force and the shear displacement; applying a compressive force to said location on said tissue using said at least one sensor comprising a piezoelectric material; detecting a compressive displacement resulting from application of said compressive force on said tissue using said sensor with said measuring device; determining a net compressive force exerted on said location from a combination of the applied compressive force and a countering compressive force resulting from tissue deformation; deducing an elastic modulus of said tissue at said location from the net compressive force and the compressive displacement; evaluating said tissue to predict the presence of cancerous tissue, based on at least a ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus, and predicating one of: a non-invasive tumor at a location of abnormal tissue when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is less than 0.7; an invasive tumor at a location of abnormal tissue when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is no less than 0.7; a malignancy for a non-confined tumor when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is no less than 0.7; and a malignancy for a confined tumor when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is no less than 0.3.