Patent ID: 7638341

Claim:
A method of identifying an abnormal tissue water content medical condition in a bulk tissue sample by determining an induction phase shift response across a frequency range from a plurality of measurements taken at different frequencies in the frequency range, comprising: positioning a bulk tissue sample between a pair of induction coils or antennae, wherein the bulk tissue sample does not contact either of the induction coils or antennae; passing a plurality of alternating currents or voltages of different frequencies in the frequency range, through a first of the induction coils or antennae; measuring the alternating currents or voltages produced in the second of the induction coils or antennae; comparing the induction phase shift between the plurality of frequencies of alternating currents or voltages in the first and second induction coils or antennae, thereby determining the induction phase shift response of the bulk tissue sample at the measured frequencies within the frequency range; comparing the determined induction phase shift response of the bulk tissue sample at the measured plurality of frequencies in the frequency range to an induction phase shift response of a tissue sample that does not exhibit an abnormal tissue water content medical condition at the measured plurality of frequencies in the frequency range; and then, identifying an abnormal tissue water content medical condition in the bulk tissue sample based on the comparison.