Abstract: In accordance with the apparatus and method of the present invention, a biopotential lesion sensor is placed directly over a lesion in a symptomatic breast and a reference sensor is located away from the symptomatic breast. A plurality of electropotential test measurements are taken during a test period with the lesion sensor and averaged to obtain a primary test potential. This primary test potential can be weighted to compensate for one or more biologic variables such as patient age, time in the patient menstrual cycle, and the time of day during which the measurement is taken. To provide noise enhancement of the primary test potential average measurement, the symptomatic breast is divided into four equal quadrants with one quadrant containing the lesion.

Abstract: An electrode connector and connector condition sensor for a biopotential sensing apparatus wherein a plurality of electrodes are connected to individual output leads for individual electrode channels by a connector which does not abrade the surface of the electrode button contact and does not require that pressure be applied to the electrode during connection. Two spring biased conductive arms for the connector are spread apart by the cam surface of an actuator button to receive the button contact and are contoured to engage substantially the entire peripheral surface of the button contact when the actuator button is released. The biopotential sensing apparatus includes a processor which senses the loss of signal in any electrode channel during a test period and activates an indicator to provide a warning indication.

Abstract: A DC biopotential sensing electrode assembly is provided for an apparatus for sensing DC biopotentials present at the skin of a subject. An electroconductive medium for transmitting ions from the skin which has a chloride ion content within a range of from 6-15 grams per hundred grams of such medium is formulated for use with the electrode. To reduce the corrosive effect of this electroconductive medium, each electrode includes only one metallic component, and to provide an electrode with a low AC impedance, this metal is uniformly coated upon nonmetallic sensor and terminal bodies with a coating thickness within a range of from 0.5 to 1.5 mil. To insure a complete electrical path through both the sensor and the terminal bodies, the nonmetallic portions are formed of conductive plastic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for disease, injury or condition screening or sensing wherein biopotentials are received from a plurality of measuring sensors located in the area of a suspected disease, injury or condition change site. These potentials are then processed and the processed values are provided to a particular type of neural network or a combination of neural networks uniquely adapted to receive and analyze data of an identifiable type to provide an indication of specific conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring biopotentials at a test site on a human or animal subject and determining therefrom the existence or status of a condition at such test site. The efficacy of treatment of a condition is monitored by comparing values obtained from biopotentials taken before treatment with those obtained during or after treatment. For disease diagnosis or screening, values obtained from biopotential measurements taken during a test period are processed in a neural network which has been programmed to recognize potential value patterns indicative of a disease condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening or sensing disease states, injury sites or bodily conditions in a human or animal subject by separately detecting the DC biopotential of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of test points in a test area. The DC biopotentials are converted by analog to digital converters connected to DC biopotential test sensors at the test points into digital test signals, and the DC biopotential test sensors and analog to digital converters form a biopotential sensing section which is separate from a processing section that receives and processes the digital test signals. Signals between the processing section and the bopotential sensing section are transmitted by a transmission network which electrically isolates the two sections.

Abstract: A DC biopotential sensing electrode assembly is provided for an apparatus for sensing DC biopotentials present at the skin of a subject. The electrodes include an electroconductive medium for transmitting ions from the skin which has a chloride content within a range of from 6-15 grams per hundred grams of such medium. To reduce the corrosive effect of this electroconductive medium, each electrode includes only one metallic component, and to provide an electrode with a low AC impedance, this metal is uniformly coated upon nonmetallic sensor and terminal bodies with a coating thickness within a range of from 0.5 to 1.5 mil. To insure a complete electrical path through both the sensor and the terminal bodies, the nonmetallic portions are formed of conductive plastic.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for screening and diagnosing trauma or disease in body tissues involves the use of DC biopotential sensing electrodes having DC offset potentials within an acceptable range and electrical characteristics which enhance the accuracy of the biopotential measurement. The apparatus checks the electrodes connected thereto prior to a measurement cycle and will not initiate the measurement cycle if improper electrodes are present. The electrodes may be formed to selectively pass only certain ions thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the electrodes.

Abstract: A method for measuring biopotentials at a lesion site on a human or animal subject and determining therefrom the magnitude of cell proliferation at such lesion site. A value indicative of the cell proliferation rate is compared with one or more reference values and treatment of the lesion is made in accordance with the results of this comparison. Treatment may be automatically controlled in response to the comparison, and the efficacy of treatment is monitored by comparing values obtained from biopotentials taken before treatment with those obtained during and/or after treatment.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for screening and diagnosing trauma or disease in body tissues involves the use of DC biopotential sensing electrodes having DC offset potentials within an acceptable range and electrical characteristics which enhance the accuracy of the biopotential measurement. The apparatus checks the electrodes connected thereto prior to a measurement cycle and will not initiate the measurement cycle if improper electrodes are present. The electrodes may be formed to selectively pass only certain ions thereby enhancing the sensitivity of the electrodes.

Abstract: A biopsy method and apparatus for determining and locating the presence or absence of a neoplastic and other disease condition within a human or animal subject by detecting during a test period the respective electrical potentials of the electromagnetic field present in the subject between each of a plurality of measurement locations in the area of the neoplasm and at least one reference location while a combination biopsy instrument and electrode is inserted into the subject at the location of suspected neoplasm. Electrical potential differences are compared during this period to obtain relationships therebetween which are indicative of either the presence or absence of neoplastic tissue. Once the neoplastic tissue is located and identified, the biopsy instrument is manipulated to remove a tissue sample for further study.

Abstract: The electrode assembly includes at least one pregelled biopotential electrode having an electrolyte gel in contact with the electrode element. An electrically conductive component is removably mounted to electrically connect both the electrolyte gel and the electrode element conductor to complete a conductive bridge therebetween. The conductive element is inert relative to the electrolyte to avoid degradation of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the presence or absence of a disease condition at a test site on a human or animal subject by detecting during a test period the respective electrical potentials of the electromagnetic field present in the subject between each of a plurality of measurement locations in the area of the test site and at least one reference location. A representative potential is separately obtained for each measurement location during the test period, and these representative potentials are compared at the end of the test period to obtain relationships therebetween which are indicative of either the presence or absence of a disease condition.