Patents by Inventor John Anthony Tidy

John Anthony Tidy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8041420
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance of a tissue sample comprises a probe and a sheath comprising an elongated tubular body having one closed end and one open end providing an internal cavity. The sheath is composed of a material which when contacted with a tissue sample is capable of providing a conductive path through the sheath between the electrodes and the tissue sample. The resistivity of the material forming the sheath when contacted with the tissue sample is greater than the resistivity of the tissue sample. The probe is received within the internal cavity of the sheath. The sheath is impervious to bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignees: The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Inventors: Brian Hilton Brown, John Anthony Tidy
  • Patent number: 7917203
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a probe for measuring the impedance of human or animal body tissue has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types is described. The probe used in the method comprises at least a first (16), a second (22), a third (18) and a fourth (20) electrode arranged such that the third (18) and fourth (20) electrodes are each located substantially the same distance from both the first (16) and second (22) electrodes. The method comprises: driving a current between the first (16) and the second (22) electrodes; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter between the third (18) and the fourth (20) electrode; and determining whether the probe has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types based on the first value. A probe for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignees: The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
    Inventors: Brian Hilton Brown, John Anthony Tidy
  • Publication number: 20090024052
    Abstract: A method for determining whether a probe for measuring the impedance of human or animal body tissue has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types is described. The probe used in the method comprises at least a first (16), a second (22), a third (18) and a fourth (20) electrode arranged such that the third (18) and fourth (20) electrodes are each located substantially the same distance from both the first (16) and second (22) electrodes. The method comprises: driving a current between the first (16) and the second (22) electrodes; measuring a first value of an electrical parameter between the third (18) and the fourth (20) electrode; and determining whether the probe has been placed over a boundary between different tissue types based on the first value. A probe for carrying out the method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD, SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
    Inventors: Brian Hilton Brown, John Anthony Tidy
  • Publication number: 20080262375
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the electrical impedance of a tissue sample comprises a probe and a sheath comprising an elongated tubular body having one closed end and one open end providing an internal cavity. The sheath is composed of a material which when contacted with a tissue sample is capable of providing a conductive path through the sheath between the electrodes and the tissue sample. The resistivity of the material forming the sheath when contacted with the tissue sample is greater than the resistivity of the tissue sample. The probe is received within the internal cavity of the sheath. The sheath is impervious to bacteria and viruses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD, SHEFFIELD TEACHING HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST
    Inventors: Brian Hilton Brown, John Anthony Tidy
  • Publication number: 20030105411
    Abstract: A method for differentiating tissue types, which is suitable as a method for obtaining data to enable a cancer screening process, comprises applying an alternating electric current to an area of tissue across a range of frequencies. The tissue impedance is measured at each frequency and the results fitted to a Cole equation. It has been found that the method is good at distinguishing between tissues having different size nuclei, or different ratios of nuclear to cytoplasm volume. This is related to the resistance (S) to electrical current flow through cytoplasm. Results may be improved by combining S with a value (R) for the resistance offered to electrical current through pathways between the cells. The method may be used in vivo or in vitro.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Rodney Harris Smallwood, Brian Hilton Brown, Anthony David Blackett, Karen Julie Boston, John Anthony Tidy