Abstract:
Embodiments of liquid monitoring, analysis, and identification are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    Various embodiments described herein relate generally to liquid monitoring, analysis, and identification, including architecture, systems, and methods used in liquid monitoring, analysis, and identification. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0002]    It may be desirable to monitor, analyze, or identify liquid via one or more devices or probes. A user may employ a device or probes to control or limit the flow of liquid, provide medical diagnosis or identification of cell(s) within the liquid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIGS. 1A-1D  are simplified diagrams of a liquid probe system according to various embodiments. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2A  is a partial diagram of a probe tip including several optical modules or groups according to various embodiments. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2B  is an isometric diagram of a probe system including several optical modules or groups according to various embodiments. 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of an optical probe system including a probe tip and optical modulator according to various embodiments. 
           [0007]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are simplified diagrams of employed liquid probe systems according to various embodiments. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 5A-5D  are simplified diagrams of employed liquid probe systems according to various embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 6A  is simplified diagrams of a flow control system with a liquid probe system according to various embodiments. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6B  is simplified diagrams of another flow control system with a liquid probe systems according to various embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7A-8  are diagrams of signals that may be applied to one or more liquid probe modules or groups according to various embodiments. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A-9B  are flow diagrams illustrating a liquid probe system processing algorithm according to various embodiments. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an article according to various embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified diagram of a liquid probe system  10  according to various embodiments. The liquid probe system  10  may include an elongated probe  20 . The elongated probe  20  includes a tip  24 , a top section  23 , and a bottom section  25 . The probe system  10  may include at least one bipolar module  26  including a first electrode  26 A and a second electrode  26 B. The first bipolar module  26  may be located on the distal tip  24 . In an embodiment the first bipolar module  26  may be energized to determine characteristics of liquid located near or adjacent to the tip  24 . The electrodes  26 A,  26 B may be an electrode pair where one is an anode and the other the cathode of the electrode pair. One or more conductive wires  12  may be coupled to the electrodes  26 A,  26 B. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment a bipolar module  26  may be energized with electrical signal(s) via the conductive wires  12 . The invention may monitor the electrical signal(s) as applied to the module  26 . For an electrical signal the invention may monitor the characteristics of the electrical signal and determine characteristics of liquid that is near or adjacent the module  26  as a function of the monitored electrical signal characteristics. The electrical signal characteristics may include amplitude, phase, impedance, capacitance, and inductance over time or frequency. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment the liquid probe system  10  may include one or more user detectable signal generation units  22 A,  22 B. The detectable signal generation unit  22 A may include one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). One or more LEDs may be energized as a function of signals generated by, received by, or generated in response to the energized bipolar module  26  as discussed above. The LEDs  22 A may generate a different frequency or intensity of light as a function of signals generated by, received by, or generated in response to the energized bipolar module  26 . The detectable signal generation unit  22 B may create a tactilely detectable signal including a vibration that a user manipulating the probe  20  may feel. The vibration intensity may vary as a function of signals generated by, received by, or generated in response to the energized bipolar module  26 . In an embodiment the probe  20  may be curved and flexible. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a simplified diagram of another liquid probe system  30  according to various embodiments. The liquid probe system  30  may include the elongated probe  20  with a tip  24 , a top section  23 , and a bottom section  25 . The probe system  30  may include at least three bipolar modules  32 ,  34 ,  36  each including at least two electrodes. A bipolar module  32  may be located on the distal tip  24 , a bipolar module  34  may be located on a top section  23 , and a bipolar module  36  may be located on a bottom section  36 . In an embodiment one or more bipolar modules  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be energized, simultaneously or alternatively to determine characteristics of liquid located near or adjacent to the tip  24 , top section  23 , or bottom section  25 . 
         [0018]    The electrodes  32 A,  32 B may be an electrode pair where one is an anode and the other the cathode of the electrode pair. One or more conductive wires  12  may be coupled to the electrodes  32 A,  32 B. The electrodes  34 A,  34 B may also be an electrode pair where one is an anode and the other the cathode of the electrode pair. One or more conductive wires  12  may be coupled to the electrodes  34 A,  34 B. The electrodes  36 A,  36 B may also be an electrode pair where one is an anode and the other the cathode of the electrode pair. One or more conductive wires  12  may be coupled to the electrodes  36 A,  36 B. In an embodiment each electrode  32 A,  32 B,  34 A,  34 B,  36 A,  36 B may be independently coupled to a conductive wire  12 . In another embodiment one or electrodes  32 A,  32 B,  34 A,  34 B,  36 A,  36 B may be commonly coupled to a conductive wire  12 . In an embodiment,  32 A,  34 A, and  36 A may be commonly coupled to a conductive wire  12  and  32 B,  34 B, and  36 B may be commonly coupled to another conductive wire  12 . 
         [0019]    In an embodiment a bipolar module  32  and one or more the bipolar modules  34 ,  36  may be simultaneously energized with electrical signal(s) via the conductive wires  12 . In an embodiment a single bipolar module  32 ,  34 ,  36  may be separately energized with an electrical signal(s) via the conductive wires  12 . The invention may monitor the electrical signal(s) as applied to the modules  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The invention may monitor the characteristics of the electrical signal(s) and determine characteristics of liquid that is near or adjacent the modules  32 ,  34 ,  36  as a function of the monitored electrical signal characteristics. The electrical signal characteristics may include amplitude, phase, impedance, capacitance, and inductance over time or frequency. 
         [0020]    In the probe system  30  one or more LEDs  22 A may be energized as a function of signals generated by, received by, or generated in response to the energized bipolar modules  32 ,  34 ,  36  as discussed above. The LEDs  22 A may generate different frequency or intensity of light as a function of signals generated by, received by, or generated in response to the energized bipolar modules  32 ,  34 ,  36 . In an embodiment one or more LEDs  22 A may correspond to a particular bipolar module  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The detectable signal generation unit  22 B may create a tactilely detectable signal including a vibration that a user manipulating the probe system  30  may feel. The vibration intensity may vary as a function of signals generated by, received by, or generated in response to energized bipolar modules  32 ,  34 ,  36 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 1C  is a simplified diagram of a liquid probe system  40  according to various embodiments. The liquid probe system  40  may include at least two elongated probes  42 A,  42 B. Each elongated probe  42 A,  42 B may include an electrode  44 A,  44 B. In an embodiment the electrodes  44 A,  44 B may be located on the distal tip of the probe  42 A,  42 B. In an embodiment the electrodes  44 A,  44 B form a first bipolar module  44  that may be energized to determine characteristics of liquid located near or adjacent to the electrodes  44 A,  44 B. The electrodes  44 A,  44 B may be an electrode pair where one is an anode and the other the cathode of the electrode pair. A conductive wire  46 A may be coupled to the electrode  44 A and a conductive wire  46 B may be coupled to the electrode  44 B. 
         [0022]    In an embodiment the bipolar module  44  may be energized with electrical signal(s) via the conductive wires  46 A,  46 B. The invention may monitor the electrical signal(s) as applied to the module  44 . The invention may monitor the characteristics of the electrical signal and determine characteristics of liquid that is near or adjacent the electrodes  44 A,  44 B as a function of the monitored electrical signal characteristics. The electrical signal characteristics may include amplitude, phase, impedance, capacitance, and inductance over time or frequency. 
         [0023]      FIG. 1D  is a simplified diagram of a liquid probe system  50  according to various embodiments. The liquid probe system  50  may include an elongated, cannulated probe  52 . The elongated probe  52  includes an outer surface  58 A and an inner surface  58 B. The probe system  50  may include at least one bipolar module  54  including a first electrode  54 A and a second electrode  54 B. The bipolar module  54  may be located on the outer surface  58 A and electrically coupled to the probe  52  inner surface  58 B. In an embodiment the bipolar module  54  may be energized to determine characteristics of liquid located within the probe  52  cannulation. The electrodes  54 A,  54 B may be an electrode pair where one is an anode and the other the cathode of the electrode pair. A conductive wire  56 A may be coupled to the electrode  54 A and a conductive wire  56 B may be coupled to the electrode  56 A. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment the bipolar module  54  may be energized with electrical signal(s) via the conductive wires  56 A,  56 B. The invention may monitor the electrical signal(s) as applied to the module  54 . The invention may monitor the characteristics of the electrical signal and determine characteristics of liquid that is near or adjacent the module  54  via the probe  52  inner surface  58 B as a function of the monitored electrical signal characteristics. The electrical signal characteristics may include amplitude, phase, impedance, capacitance, and inductance over time or frequency. 
         [0025]    For each of the probe systems  10 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50  liquid may be relatively stationary (static) relative to the electrode module(s) or may flow pass one or more electrode modules. In an embodiment, the liquid(s) to be characterized may include biological fluids.  FIG. 2A  is a top diagram of a probe tip a liquid probe system  60  including several optical modules or groups  76 ,  78  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 2B  is a partial isometric diagram of the liquid probe system  60  including several optical modules or groups  76 ,  78  according to various embodiments. Each optical module or group  76 ,  78  may include a light emitting device  62 ,  66  and light detecting device  64 ,  68 . 
         [0026]    In an embodiment the light emitting device  62 ,  66  is an LED and the light detecting device  64 ,  68  is a semiconductor based light detecting diode (LDD). In operation a LED  62  of an optical module  76  of the section  72  may be energized with a first signal via one or more conductive wires  86  for a predetermined time interval to generate an optical signal that may be partially reflected or absorbed as a function of the liquid illuminated by the optical signal. The LED  62  may be configured to generate photons having one or more predetermined frequencies where the one or more predetermined frequencies are a function of the optimal absorption or reflectance of the targeted liquid. The LDD  64  of the optical module  76  may detect an optical signal reflected from a liquid. The optically detected signal may provide an indication of the identity, density, flow rate, concentration, temperature, or other measurable property of a liquid as a function of the difference of the optical signal generated by the LED  62  and detected by the LDD  64 . 
         [0027]    Similarly a second electrical signal may be applied to the LED  66  of the optical module  78  of the section  74  via one or more conductive wires  88  for a second predetermined time interval where the LED  66  may be configured to generate photons having one or more predetermined frequencies where the one or more predetermined frequencies are a function of the optimal absorption or reflectance of the targeted liquid. The LDD  68  of the optical module  78  may detect optical energy reflected from a liquid. The second optically detected signal may provide an indication of the identity, density, flow rate, concentration, temperature, or other measurable property of a liquid as a function of the difference of the optical signal generated by the LED  66  and detected by the LDD  68 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  is a side diagram of an optically based liquid probe system  90  including a probe distal section  112  and an optical modulator  120  according to various embodiments. In the optical system  90  an optical module  93  may include a LED lens  92 , a LDD lens  94 , a fiber optic pathway  114 , a fiber optic pathway  116 , a LED  122 , and a LDD  124 . In this embodiment the LED  122  may be coupled to a lens  92  via the fiber optic pathway  114 . The LDD  124  may be coupled the lens  94  via the fiber optic pathway  1   16 . Similarly, the LED  122  may be coupled to the lens  96  via a fiber optic pathway and the LDD  124  may be coupled the lens  98  via a fiber optic pathway. Further a lens  102  and  106  may be coupled to the LED  122  via the pathway  114 . A lens  104  and  108  may be coupled to the LDD  124  via the pathway  116 . 
         [0029]    The LED  122  and LDD  124  may be located remote to the probe distal end  112  in an optical modulator  120 . A single optical modulator  120  may be employed to process signals for the various lens pairs or groups  93 ,  97 . A light multiplexer may be coupled the optical modulator  120  and optical pathways  114 ,  116  coupled to each lens group  93 ,  97 . The light multiplexer may enable the optical modulator  120  to be alternatively or simultaneously coupled to the lens group  93  or  97 .  FIGS. 4A to 4D  are partial diagrams of embodiments  130 ,  160 ,  140 ,  150  where a probe systems  50 ,  60 ,  10 , and  30  is inserted into a liquid located within or between two surfaces  122 ,  124 . The liquid may flow between the surfaces from  132  to  134  or be static. In an embodiment the surfaces  122 ,  124  may be tissue where a bodily fluid passes or exists between the tissues or surfaces  122 ,  124  including vascular, digestive, or other luminal body or tissue. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5A to 5D  are partial diagrams of embodiments  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210  where a probe systems  10 ,  30 ,  60 , and  40  is inserted into a liquid within a fixed body  172 . A liquid  171  having one or more determinable characteristics may be placed in a fixed container  172  such a test tube or other container having desired shape and material specifications. Then one or more signals may be applied to a probe  10 ,  30 ,  60 ,  40 ,  50  via one or more electrically or optically conductive wires  12 ,  86 ,  88 ,  46 A,  46 B,  56 A,  56 B for the embodiments  130 ,  140 ,  150 ,  160 ,  180 ,  190 ,  200 ,  210  shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4D  and  5 A to  5 D. 
         [0031]    The invention may monitor the signal(s) as applied to the probes systems  10 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 , and  60 . For an electrical signal the invention may monitor the characteristics of the electrical signal and determine characteristics of liquid that is near or adjacent the respective probe system as a function of the monitored electrical signal characteristics. The electrical signal characteristics may include amplitude, phase, impedance, capacitance, and inductance over time or frequency. For an optical signal the invention may monitor the characteristics of the optical signal and determine liquid characteristics as a function of the monitored optical signal characteristics. The optical signal characteristics may include amplitude and phase over time or frequency. A probe system of the invention may be able to generate and receive an electrical or an optical signal simultaneously or alternatively. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagram of flow control architecture that includes at least one liquid probe system  10 . In  FIG. 6A , flow control architecture  220  includes a liquid probe system  10 , fluid controller  380 , controllable pump  225 , and at a segment of a cannulated tube, pipe, or vessel  222 . The cannulated tube, pipe, or vessel  222  may have static or flowing liquid whose flow rate from  226  to  228  may be controlled in part by a liquid pump  225 . The fluid controller  380  may be operatively coupled to the liquid probe system  10  via one or more wires  12  and the controllable liquid pump  225  via one or more conductive elements  227 . The fluid controller  380  may apply a signal to the liquid probe  10  and monitor the resultant signal to determine one or more characteristics of the liquid  223  about the probe  10 . 
         [0033]    In an embodiment, an opening in the cannulated tube or vessel  224  may provide a pathway for the probe  10  to physically contact liquid  223 . Based on the applied and monitored signal(s), the fluid controller may determine one or more characteristics of the liquid including flow rate, cellular density, cellular or liquid identification, and cellular or molecular transfer pass the probe  1 O. The fluid controller  380  may modulate the operation of the pump  225  as a function of one or more determined liquid characteristics. In an embodiment, architecture  220  may be employed to control delivery of pharmacological agents to a mammal where the architecture may be precisely control the molecules of an agent delivered to a patient. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 6B , flow control architecture  221  includes a liquid probe system  10 , fluid controller  380 , controllable valve  229 , and at a segment of a cannulated tube, pipe, or vessel  222 . The cannulated tube, pipe, or vessel  222  may have static or flowing liquid whose flow rate from  226  to  228  may be controlled in part by the controllable valve  229 . The fluid controller  380  may be operatively coupled to the liquid probe system  10  via one or more wires  12  and the controllable valve  229  via one or more conductive elements  227 . The fluid controller  380  may apply a signal to the liquid probe  10  and monitor the resultant signal to determine one or more characteristics of the liquid  223  about the probe  10 . 
         [0035]    In an embodiment, an opening in the cannulated tube or vessel  224  may provide a pathway for the probe  10  to physically contact liquid  223 . Based on the applied and monitored signal(s), the fluid controller may determine one or more characteristics of the liquid including flow rate, cellular density, cellular or liquid identification, and cellular or molecular transfer pass the probe  10 . The fluid controller  380  may modulate the operation of the valve  229  as a function of one or more determined liquid characteristics. In an embodiment, architecture  221  may be employed to control delivery of pharmacological agents to a mammal where the architecture may be precisely control the molecules of an agent delivered to a patient. In another embodiment the fluid controller  380  may control the operation of one or more pumps  225  and one or more valves  229  where a pump  225  or valve  229  may be part of a intravenous pump system. 
         [0036]    In an embodiment the invention may employ the algorithm  300  shown in  FIG. 9A  to process or analyze one or more liquids. A user or equipment may place one or more liquids to be analyzed in a container (activity  302 ). The container may be any container capable of holding a liquid and enabling one or more liquid probe systems  10 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 , or  60  to be placed in contact with the liquid (activity  304 ). Then one or more signals such as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  8  may be applied to one or more electrodes or bipolar modules of a probe system (activity  306 ). The algorithm  300  may monitor the signal on one or more electrodes or bipolar modules of the probe system (activity  308 ). The algorithm  300  may also monitor remote electrodes systematically coupled to the liquid. Based on the monitored signals, one or more liquid characteristics may be determined (activity  312 ). 
         [0037]    The measured liquid characteristics may include any measurable or determinable characteristic including density, cellular saturation, cellular identification, temperature, and specific gravity. The algorithm  300  may also determine whether the measured or determined liquid characteristics are within predetermined limits, such as physical limits (activity  314 ). If one or more characteristic is not within predetermined limits (activity  316 ), the signals or another signal may be applied to the liquid via one or more liquid probes (activity  306 ). When the measured characteristics are within predetermined limits, the algorithm  300  may report one or more characteristics via one or more devices (activity  318 ). In an embodiment the algorithm may report one or more characteristics to one ore more devices as a function of the determined characteristics. 
         [0038]    The algorithm  300  may also store one more determined characteristics in an violate or non-violate memory (activity  322 ). The algorithm  300  may use the stored values to set or modify the predetermined limits or determine whether to report measured characteristics to one or more devices. In addition, the algorithm  300  may control the operation of one or more devices based on the measured characteristics (activity  324 ). The devices may include treatment devices coupled to a patient where the operation or parameters of the treatment devices may be automatically modified as a function of the measured characteristics. 
         [0039]    In another embodiment the invention may employ the algorithm  330  shown in  FIG. 9B  to process or analyze one or more liquids located in a luminal area of a mammal or a luminal area of liquid processing equipment, e.g., the lumen of a native and natural pathway for biological fluids in a body including urethra, fluid ducts or vessels where the fluid or liquid may be in a natural or artificially induced state of flow. A user or equipment may create a pathway to a luminal area including liquid to be tested or characterized (activity  332 ) or a pathway that is part of a liquid processing equipment. In an embodiment the pathway may be created via a minimally invasive device or cannulated device. In an embodiment the pathway generation device may include a liquid probe. One or more liquid probe systems  10 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 , or  60  to be placed in contact with the liquid via the created pathway (activity  334 ). Then one or more signals such as shown in  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B, and  8  may be applied to one or more electrodes or bipolar modules of a probe system (activity  336 ). The algorithm  330  may monitor the signal on one or more electrodes or bipolar modules of the probe system (activity  338 ). The algorithm  330  may also monitor remote electrodes systematically coupled to the liquid. Based on the monitored signals, one or more liquid characteristics may be determined (activity  342 ). 
         [0040]    The measured liquid characteristics may include any measurable or determinable characteristic including density, cellular saturation, cellular identification, temperature, gaseous saturation, and specific gravity. The algorithm  330  may also determine whether the measured or determined liquid characteristics are within predetermined limits, such as physical limits (activity  344 ). If one or more characteristic is not within predetermined limits (activity  346 ), the signals or another signal may be applied to the liquid via one or more liquid probes (activity  336 ). When the measured characteristics are within predetermined limits, the algorithm  330  may report one or more characteristics via one or more devices (activity  348 ). In an embodiment the algorithm may report one or more characteristics to one or more devices as a function of the characteristics, e.g., to a medical professional. 
         [0041]    The algorithm  330  may also store one more characteristics in a violate or a non-violate memory (activity  352 ). The algorithm  330  may use the stored values to set or modify the predetermined limits or determine whether to report measured characteristics to one or more devices. In addition, the algorithm  330  may control the operation of one or more devices based on the measured characteristics (activity  354 ). The devices may include treatment devices coupled to a patient where the operation or parameters of the treatment devices may be automatically modified as a function of the measured characteristics. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 8  an electrical or optical signal to be applied to a liquid may include a frequency variable current and voltage that may be applied to the liquid sample at various or pre-determined frequencies. Where the liquid is a bodily fluid, the liquid may be blood, breast milk, urine or saliva, plasma, semen, vaginal fluids, lymph, transudate, exudates, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, interstitial fluid, apheresis fluid, ascites, purulent material and wound secretions. 
         [0043]    In an embodiment the monitored response to a signal applied to a liquid probe system may be measured as the signal has passed through a liquid or fluid and then back to the probe via one or more electrodes or bipolar module(s). The applied signal may also pass around or adjacent to the liquid and then to the probe. As the signal is applied to a probe it may be impacted by the liquid in such a way as to modify the signals&#39; voltage and current. In an embodiment, the liquid may temporarily retain some of the energy that was applied to the liquid. Accordingly such energy retention may produce an “out of phase” voltage with respect to current that can be measured in degrees out of phase, which is representative of the liquid&#39;s effective capacitance. 
         [0044]    In liquids, its effective capacitance may be affected by several factors including the presence of various biological cells in the liquid. Biological cells commonly have an intracellular fluid that is comprised of various electrically active and conductive substances, i.e. Na + =10 mM, K + =140 mM, Mg ++ =58 mM, HCO 3   − =10 mM,SO 4   − =2 mM (approx. 300 mOsm). Such cells have a membrane comprised of a bi-layer phospholipid that is electrically insulative and the surrounding extracellular fluid in most bodily fluids is commonly conductive, i.e. mammalian blood contains: Na + =142 mM, K + =5 mM, Mg ++ =3 mM, HCO 3   − =28 mM, SO 4 =1 mM (approx. 300 mOsm). Therefore in biological fluids or liquids having cells, a “conductor”-“insulator”-“conductor” arrangement may be present that is analogous to an electrical capacitor where an electrical capacitor is capable of storing energy for a time period of time. 
         [0045]    The shape, size, dielectric value, and number of layers of conductors and insulators may affect the magnitude of the capacitor&#39;s ability to store energy. The shape, size, biological state, and density of the cells within a volume of fluid or liquid may also affect its capacitance measurement and its ability to absorb or reflect light energy at various frequencies. It is noted that when blood, for example is comprised of either more or less than the normal red blood cell (RBC) count, (usually between 45-50% by volume of cells to liquid in blood), its effective capacitance may vary. Further when the blood volume is lower than normal (due to an internal body subsystem failure such as renal failure, or environmental factors such as heat, physical exertion and lack of fluids intake, or pharmacological interaction), the amount of RBC per unit volume of blood may increase. This could be identified as such by a change in measurement of the voltage-current phase angle or capacitance measurement and lead to a differential diagnosis. 
         [0046]    For example, when presumably normal blood is analyzed via the present invention an increase in the phase angle measurement could be correlated to an increase in the white blood cell count of the blood (change in a measurable characteristic of the liquid). In it noted that in a healthy mammalian, the blood&#39;s WBC concentration may be 1/500 of the concentration of RBC. During infection the WBC concentration in blood may range from 1/50- 1/10 versus the RBC concentration (predetermined range of measurable characteristics) where the measurement of the increase in WBC may be determined by the present invention. WBC&#39;s can include those originating from various parts of the body including the bone marrow, lymph glands and tissue, and the spleen. 
         [0047]    WBC may include neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, platelets, lymphocytes and monocytes in a mammalian. In response to a microbial invader or pathogen, however the WBC count may rise dramatically and may affect the measured capacitance of the blood. The capacitance measurement may be more robustly determined in bodily liquids where the RBC concentration is not dominate such as saliva, plasma, interstitial fluid, urine, feces, semen, vaginal fluids, milk, purulent materials and cerebral spinal fluid. In these circumstances, WBC infiltration as part of the immune system response may comprise a larger percentage of biological cells in the fluid or liquid. The WBC concentration may be measurable as a function of the liquid capacitance that is greater in unhealthy fluid or liquid versus healthy biological fluids. Accordingly a liquid capacitance measurement or characteristic may provide an indication of a systemic infection or a local infection depending on the type of bodily fluid measured, i.e., an increase in effective capacitance of urine (liquid state) could be differentially indicative of an urinary tract, a bladder infection, or a kidney infection. An increase in the effective capacitance in mammary liquid could be indicative of a mammary gland infection. Similarly, in sperm, an effective capacitance increase could be indicative of a reproductive tract infection including the testicles or prostate. 
         [0048]    Further, when an infection (bacterial, viral or fungal) is present in a particular localized body part or organ, there may be an increase in the infected organ or tissues cell count in an associated bodily fluid. The cell count increase may be caused by cells damaged by the pathogens where the damaged cells may be subsequently sloughed off into corresponding bodily fluid. The present of the increased cell count in the related, associated, or corresponding fluid may increase the measurable capacitance of the fluid. For example, when proteins are released in the urine via the kidneys or even cells, e.g. kidney, blood cells or endothelial cells, the protein concentration or cellular concentration may be measurable as a change in nominal capacitance of the corresponding fluid or liquid. Further, a change in the ionic concentration in the urine may change the urine capacitance and provide an indication of same. 
         [0049]    In accordance with the present invention, a response to the applied signal may be measured or monitored as the signal passes through fluid disposed at, around, or adjacent to a liquid probe system module. It is noted that different cells and ions in fluid or liquid may have different effective capacitance. Accordingly, by measuring or monitoring the electrical characteristics of the response signal the invention or an algorithm  300 ,  330  may be able to determine the relative concentration of specific cell types and ion concentration within a particular biological bodily fluid through which an applied signal is passed. The cellular concentration and ionic concentration may be determined as a function of stored values of nominal cellular and ionic concentration (and their related measurable characteristics including capacitance) to the currently measured liquid characteristics. 
         [0050]    It is noted that a cellular or ionic capacitance may vary as a function of the applied signal characteristics including frequency components. In particular the measurable characteristics may vary as a function of fluid type, cell type, ions, and their respective concentration in the fluid or liquid. In an embodiment the applied electrical signal may be have an increasing frequency component ranging from radio frequency (megahertz) to microwave frequency (gigahertz). Such a frequency spread in the applied signal may enable cell identification where the cell&#39;s measurable characteristics vary as a function of the applied signal frequency. 
         [0051]    In a preferred method, a probe module may be placed into a static liquid such as shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5D  or  FIGS. 4A to 4D ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 6B  (when static) or in a other static liquid such as saliva in the mouth of a patient. The probe module may also be placed in a flowing sample or liquid such as shown in  FIGS. 4A to 4D ,  FIG. 6A , and  FIG. 6B  (when flowing) or in a moving biological liquid such as a urine stream. It is noted the electrode spacing in the probe modules may be configured as a function of an organism to be characterized, i.e., spaced far enough apart to measure the capacitance changes of cells within the geometry of the module electrode(s). The applied signal may have a low energy level where its subsequent measurement may be compared with similar fluids and known concentrations of cells contained from a previously developed database or storage and a historical moving average of the particular patient&#39;s bodily fluid response. 
         [0052]    In a configuration of the present invention, a probe module may be mono-polar or bi-polar. In a mono-polar configuration, a single electrode may be disposed on a probe module or a single electrode of a bipolar pair may be energized. A second electrode (effective anode) may be positioned some distance away from the first electrode and within the bodily fluid or in body tissue that is systematically in contact with the liquid to be characterized. It is noted that the probes may be placed within the bodily fluid inside the body either temporarily or chronically in an implanted state. 
         [0053]    In an aspect of the present invention, the measurement of the response of bodily fluids to the applied electrical signal, particularly the effective capacitance may be to determine the relative concentration of cells within the fluid where such concentration determination may indicative of the 1) relative health of an individual, 2) state of anemia, 3) state of hydration, 4) organ specific failure, 5) systemic infection, and 6) localized infection. As noted measured characteristics may be stored to provide nominal values or a histogram of the values to assist in the evaluation of a liquid or the pathology of a bodily fluid. 
         [0054]      FIG. 7A-7B  are diagrams of electrical signal waveforms  230 ,  240 ,  250  that may be applied to one or more bipolar modules or groups or optical modules according to various embodiments. The signal waveform  250  includes several square-wave pulses  252 ,  254 ,  256  that may be applied to a bipolar module. Each pulse  252 ,  254 ,  256  may a have a similar magnitude and envelope. The waveform  250  may be used to energize a bipolar module periodically P 1  for a predetermined interval T 1  where each pulse  252 ,  254 ,  256  has a amplitude A 1 . In an embodiment, A 1  may be about 0.1 milliamperes (mA) to 10 mA, the pulse width T 1  may be about 100 microsecond (μs) to 500 μs and the period P 1  may from 100 ms to 500 ms as a function of the energy required to create capacitance in a liquid. In another embodiment, A 1  may be about 0.5 milliamperes (mA) to 5 mA, the pulse width T 1  may be about 200 microsecond (μs) and the period P 1  may about 250 ms as a function of the energy to create capacitance in a liquid. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 7B  a signal waveform  230  may be applied to a first bipolar module or group and a second waveform  240  may be applied or used to energize a second bipolar module. The signal waveform  230  includes several square-wave pulses  232 ,  234 , and  236  and the signal waveform  240  includes several square-wave pulses  242 ,  244 , and  246 . Each pulse  232 ,  234 ,  236 ,  242 ,  244 ,  246  may a have a similar magnitude and envelope. The waveform  230  may be used to energize a first bipolar module periodically P 1  for a predetermined interval T 1  where each pulse  232 ,  234 ,  236  has an amplitude A 1 . The waveform  240  may be used to energize a second bipolar module periodically P 2  for a predetermined interval T 2  where each pulse  242 ,  244 ,  246  has an amplitude B 1 . The pulse width T 1 , T 2  may be about 100 microsecond (μs) to 500 μs and the period P 1 , P 2  may from 100 ms to 500 ms as a function of the energy to create capacitance in a liquid. In another embodiment, A 1 , A 2  may be about 0.5 milliamperes (mA) to 5 mA, the pulse width T 1 , T 2  may be about 200 microsecond (μs) and the period P 1 , P 2  may about 250 ms as a function of the energy required to create capacitance in a liquid. In an embodiment the pulses  232 ,  234 ,  236  do not substantially overlap the pulses  242 ,  244 ,  246 . In an embodiment T 1 &gt;T 2  and P 2  is an integer multiple of P 1 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 8  depicts a waveform  270  that includes multiple pulses  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  282 , and  284  that may not overlap in the time or the frequency domain. In an embodiment each pulse  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  282 , and  284  may have a pulse width T 3 , and frequency spectrum width F 1  and period P 3 . The pulse  272  is frequency offset from the pulse  274 , the pulse  276  is frequency offset from the pulse  278 , and the pulse  282  is frequency offset from the pulse  284 . The pulses  272 ,  274 ,  276 ,  278 ,  282 , and  284  may be applied to a bipolar or optical module to generate a detectable effect on nearby liquid. Pulses  272 ,  274  having different frequency spectrums may enable the characterization of liquids where the liquids have different electrical or optical properties. In an embodiment the pulses  272 ,  276 ,  282  may be applied to a first bipolar or optical module and the pulses  274 ,  278 ,  284  may be applied to a second bipolar or optical module. The frequency separation between the respective pulses may enable simultaneous energization of a first and a second bipolar or optical module and subsequent and independent characterization of liquids where the liquids are near or adjacent to the first and the second bipolar or optical modules. 
         [0057]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram of an article  380  according to various embodiments. The article  380  shown in  FIG. 10  may be used in various embodiments as a part of a probe system  10 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  220 ,  221  where the article  380  may be any computing device including a personal data assistant, cellular telephone, laptop computer, or desktop computer. The article  380  may include a central processing unit (CPU)  382 , a random access memory (RAM)  384 , a read only memory (ROM”)  406 , a display  388 , a user input device  412 , a transceiver application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)  416 , a digital to analog (D/A) and analog to digital (A/D) convertor  415 , a microphone  408 , a speaker  402 , and an antenna  404 . The CPU  382  may include an OS module  414  and an application module  413 . The RAM  384  may include a queue  398  where the queue  398  may store signal levels to be applied to or monitored on one or more bipolar modules. The OS module  414  and the application module  413  may be separate elements. The OS module  414  may execute a computer system or controller OS. The application module  412  may execute the applications related to the control of a system  10 ,  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  220 ,  221 . 
         [0058]    The ROM  406  is coupled to the CPU  382  and may store the program instructions to be executed by the CPU  382 , OS module  414 , and application module  413 . The RAM  384  is coupled to the CPU  382  and may store temporary program data, overhead information, and the queues  398 . The user input device  412  may comprise an input device such as a keypad, touch pad screen, track ball or other similar input device that allows the user to navigate through menus in order to operate the article  380 . The display  388  may be an output device such as a CRT, LCD, LED or other lighting apparatus that enables the user to read, view, or hear user detectable signals. 
         [0059]    The microphone  408  and speaker  402  may be incorporated into the device  380 . The microphone  408  and speaker  402  may also be separated from the device  380 . Received data may be transmitted to the CPU  382  via a bus  396  where the data may include signals for a bipolar module or optical module. The transceiver ASIC  416  may include an instruction set necessary to communicate data, screens, or signals. The ASIC  416  may be coupled to the antenna  404  to communicate wireless messages, pages, and signal information within the signal. When a message is received by the transceiver ASIC  416 , its corresponding data may be transferred to the CPU  382  via the serial bus  396 . The data can include wireless protocol, overhead information, and data to be processed by the device  380  in accordance with the methods described herein. 
         [0060]    The D/A and A/D convertor  415  may be coupled to one or more bipolar modules and optical modules to generate a signal to be used to energize one of the bipolar modules and optical modules. The D/A and A/D convertor  415  may also be coupled to one devices. Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Thus, the bipolar modules and optical modules may all be characterized as “modules” herein. The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multi-processor circuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects, firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of the system  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  60  and as appropriate for particular implementations of various embodiments. 
         [0061]    The apparatus and systems of various embodiments may be useful in applications other than a sales architecture configuration. They are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. 
         [0062]    Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of various embodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single or multi-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, data switches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer, multi-chip modules. Such apparatus and systems may further be included as sub-components within a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audio players (e.g., mp3 players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, etc.) and others. Some embodiments may include a number of methods. 
         [0063]    It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in an order other than the order described. Various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, serial, or parallel fashion. 
         [0064]    A software program may be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute functions defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively, the programs may be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment. 
         [0065]    The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
         [0066]    Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
         [0067]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.