Patent ID: 8060195

Claim:
A method for measuring the bioimpedance of cervical tissue, comprising the steps of: introducing a measuring probe within a bodily opening, the measuring probe including a plurality of electrodes arranged so that ends thereof are spaced a predetermined distance from an external end surface of the probe and so that the plurality of electrodes form a predetermined pattern that extends in a plane; positioning the measuring probe top surface with respect to the cervical tissues such that each of the electrodes is put into electrical contact with the cervical tissue; applying a voltage and current across certain of the plurality of electrodes in contact with the tissues so that the current flows through the tissues and is dispersed responsive to the impedance of the tissue; measuring the voltage drop associated with the tissue impedance using certain of the plurality of electrodes while said applying the voltage and current; computing an impedance and voltage phase angle based on the measured voltage; wherein the measuring probe includes three or more electrodes; and wherein said applying includes applying the voltage and current across three of the electrodes and wherein said measuring of the voltage drop is performed using two electrodes, where one of the electrodes for said measuring and said applying are in common.