US5989199A — Tissue examination

Claim 1

Independent Claim 180 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, each of said sensors producing a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes said processor comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, and a second test in which said processor determines relative locations in said array of sensors that produce signals which exceed said threshold, and a number of said sensors that produce signals that exceed said threshold and which are located adjacent to another one of said sensors in said array that produces a signal which exceeds said threshold.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 180 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, each of said sensors producing a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes said processor comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, and a second test in which said processor determines relative locations in said array of sensors that produce signals which exceed said threshold, and a number of said sensors that produce signals that exceed said threshold and which are located adjacent to another one of said sensors in said array that produces a signal which exceeds said threshold.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 59 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said processor determines whether the underlying tissue structure is a normal tissue structure or a potentially foreign tissue structure based on the results of said tests, and further comprising circuitry responsive to the determination made by said processor for notifying a user whether the underlying tissue structure is a potentially foreign tissue structure.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 2 wherein the normal tissue structure includes breast tissue and the potentially foreign tissue structure includes non-breast tissue.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 3 wherein the normal tissue structure includes a nipple, a rib, or a ligament, and the potentially foreign tissue structure includes a cyst or a solid mass.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 2 further comprising an indicator actuatable by said circuitry in response to said processor determining that the underlying tissue structure is a potentially foreign tissue structure.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 5 further comprising a second indicator actuatable by said circuitry in response to said processor determining that the underlying tissue structure is a normal tissue structure.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said processor generates said threshold based on the amplitudes of said signals.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said first test further includes said processor determining an average of the amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold, and determining whether said average is within a predetermined range of amplitudes.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said first test further includes said processor determining an average of the amplitudes of said signals that do not exceed said threshold, and determining whether said average exceeds a selected minimum amplitude.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 62 words

The device of claim 9 wherein said processor determines that said first test has passed if said average of the amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold is within said predetermined limits and said average of the amplitudes of said signals that do not exceed said threshold exceeds said selected minimum amplitude, and otherwise determines that said first test has failed.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 150 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, each of said sensors producing a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes said processor comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, said processor further being adapted to analyze signals that exceed said threshold to determine whether signals produced by sensors arranged on a periphery of said array are valid.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 150 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, each of said sensors producing a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes said processor comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, said processor further being adapted to analyze signals that exceed said threshold to determine whether signals produced by sensors arranged on a periphery of said array are valid.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 75 words

The device of claim 11 wherein said processor performs said analysis by comparing a first number of sensors arranged on the periphery that produce signals which exceed said threshold to a second number of sensors arranged in an interior of said array that produce signals which exceed said threshold, and determining that said signals produced by sensors arranged on the periphery are valid if said second number exceeds said first number by a selected amount.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 39 words

The device of claim 12 wherein said first number of sensors are located adjacent to each other on the periphery, and said second number of sensors are located adjacent to said sensors on the periphery or to each other.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 42 words

The device of claim 12 wherein said processor is further adapted to reduce the amplitudes of said signals produced by said sensors arranged on a periphery of said array below said threshold if said processor determines that said signals are not valid.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 28 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said processor determines that said second test has failed if said number of said sensors does not exceed a selected minimum number.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 47 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said second test further comprises said processor determining whether said number of sensors exceeds by a selected amount an aggregate of said number of sensors and a number of nonadjacent sensors in said array that produce signals that exceed said threshold.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 57 words

The device of claim 16 wherein said processor determines that said second test has passed if said number of sensors exceeds by the selected amount the aggregate of said number of sensors and the number of nonadjacent sensors in said array that produce signals that exceed said threshold, and otherwise determines that said second test has failed.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 30 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of tests includes a third test in which said processor determines a difference between amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device of claim 18 wherein said difference is a ratio between the signal having a highest amplitude and the signal having a lowest amplitude.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 19 wherein said processor determines that said third test has passed if said ratio exceeds a second threshold, and otherwise determines that said third test has failed.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 72 words

The device of claim 18 further comprising circuitry for successively acquiring a plurality of sets of said signals from said sensors at successively different times as said array is moved over the tissue, each of said sets of signals representing the underlying tissue structures at said times, and a memory for storing said sets of signals, said processor performing said plurality of processing tests on each one of said sets of signals.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 21 wherein said processor is adapted to perform additional said processing tests on a selected number of said sets of said signals that have passed said first, second, and third tests.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 49 words

The device of claim 22 wherein said processor is adapted to perform said additional processing tests only if said selected number of said sets of said signals are consecutively acquired without interruption by a set of said signals that do not pass either said first, second, or third test.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 132 words

The device of claim 22 wherein said additional tests include a fourth test in which said processor, for each of said sets of said signals: analyzes the amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold to develop for each of the underlying tissue structures a pair of pressure profiles each of which comprises signals produced by sensors in said array that are arranged along a selected dimension of a corresponding underlying tissue structure, a first said pressure profile being oriented along a dimension of maximum flatness of the structure, and a second said pressure profile being oriented along a dimension of minimum flatness of the structure, and determines an edge profile, a relative stiffness, and a relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure based on said first and second pressure profiles.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 24 wherein said processor is adapted to determine said edge profile based on an amount that the amplitude of said signals change from sensor to sensor along said second pressure profile.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 24 wherein said processor is adapted to determine said relative stiffness based on a difference between the signal having a highest amplitude and the signal having a lowest amplitude in said first pressure profile.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 24 wherein said processor is adapted to determine said relative curvature based on a flatness of said first pressure profile.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 60 words

The device of claim 24 wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate said edge profile, said relative stiffness, and said relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure with respect to each other and, based on said evaluation, develop an outcome that indicates a degree of membership of each said underlying tissue structure in a class of foreign tissue structures.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 37 words

The device of claim 28 wherein said processor is adapted to give selective amounts of weights to said edge profile, said relative stiffness, and said relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure in developing said outcome.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 49 words

The device of claim 24 wherein said additional tests include a fifth test in which said processor evaluates said sets of said signals to determine a manner in which each of the underlying tissue structures move with respect to said array as said array is moved over the tissue.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 44 words

The device of claim 30 wherein said fifth test includes said processor determining a distance by which each said underlying tissue structure moves with respect to said array, and a trajectory along which each said underlying tissue structure moves with respect to said array.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 57 words

The device of claim 31 wherein said processor is adapted to evaluate said distance and said trajectory of motion of each said underlying tissue structure with respect to each other and, based on said evaluation, develop an outcome that indicates a degree of membership of each said underlying tissue structure in a class of foreign tissue structures.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 34 words

The device of claim 32 wherein said processor is adapted to give selective amounts of weights to said distance and said trajectory of motion of each said underlying tissue structure in developing said outcome.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device of claim 32 wherein said processor is further adapted to evaluate said edge profile, said relative stiffness, and said relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure with respect to each other in developing said outcome.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 34 further comprising circuitry responsive to said outcome developed by said processor for notifying a user whether the underlying tissue structure is a potentially foreign tissue structure.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 1 further comprising a display for displaying signals that correspond to said amplitudes of said signals generated by said sensors, thereby to enable a user to visualize said distribution.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 59 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said processor is further responsive to said signals generated by said sensors to determine an amount of pressure applied to said plurality of sensors when said sensors are pressed against the body, said processor performing said plurality of processing tests only if the amount of pressure is within a selected range of pressures.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 24 words

The device of claim 37 further comprising circuitry for notifying a user that the amount of pressure is within a selected range of pressures.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 22 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors are arranged in an array that includes multiple rows of said sensors.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 23 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors are arranged in an array that includes a single row of said sensors.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors include resistive elements.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors include piezoelectric elements.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 13 words

The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of sensors include capacitive sensors.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 176 words

A method of examining tissue, comprising pressing a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, against the tissue to cause each of said sensors to produce a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, and a second test that includes determining relative locations in said array of sensors that produce signals which exceed said threshold, and a number of said sensors that produce signals that exceed said threshold and which are located adjacent to another one of said sensors in said array that produces a signal which exceeds said threshold.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 176 words

A method of examining tissue, comprising pressing a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, against the tissue to cause each of said sensors to produce a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, and a second test that includes determining relative locations in said array of sensors that produce signals which exceed said threshold, and a number of said sensors that produce signals that exceed said threshold and which are located adjacent to another one of said sensors in said array that produces a signal which exceeds said threshold.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising determining whether the underlying tissue structure is a normal tissue structure or a potentially foreign tissue structure based on the results of said tests, and responding to said determination by notifying a user whether the underlying tissue structure is a potentially foreign tissue structure.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 45 wherein the normal tissue structure includes breast tissue and the potentially foreign tissue structure includes non-breast tissue.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 46 wherein the normal tissue structure includes a nipple, a rib, or a ligament, and the potentially foreign tissue structure includes a cyst or a solid mass.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising generating said threshold based on the amplitudes of said signals.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 44 wherein said first test further includes determining an average of the amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold, and determining whether said average is within a predetermined range of amplitudes.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 44 wherein said first test further includes determining an average of the amplitudes of said signals that do not exceed said threshold, and determining whether said average exceeds a selected minimum amplitude.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method of claim 50 further comprising determining that said first test has passed if said average of the amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold is within said predetermined limits and said average of the amplitudes of said signals that do not exceed said threshold exceeds said selected minimum amplitude, and otherwise determining that said first test has failed.

Claim 55

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, against the tissue to cause each of said sensors to produce a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, and analyzing signals that exceed said threshold to determine whether signals produced by sensors arranged on a periphery of said array are valid.

Claim 56

Independent Claim 143 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors, arranged in an array, against the tissue to cause each of said sensors to produce a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, such pressure varying in accordance with properties of different types of underlying tissue structures, and performing a plurality of processing tests on the signals produced by said sensors and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on results of said tests, said tests comprising a first test that includes comparing amplitudes of the signals produced by said sensors to a threshold, and evaluating signals that exceed said threshold differently than signals that do not exceed said threshold, and analyzing signals that exceed said threshold to determine whether signals produced by sensors arranged on a periphery of said array are valid.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 74 words

The method of claim 52 further comprising performing said analysis by comparing a first number of sensors arranged on the periphery that produce signals which exceed said threshold to a second number of sensors arranged in an interior of said array that produce signals which exceed said threshold, and determining that said signals produced by sensors arranged on the periphery are valid if said second number exceeds said first number by a selected amount.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 53 wherein said first number of sensors are located adjacent to each other on the periphery, and said second number of sensors are located adjacent to said sensors on the periphery or to each other.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 53 further comprising reducing the amplitudes of said signals produced by said sensors arranged on a periphery of said array below said threshold if said signals are determined to be not valid.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising determining that said second test has failed if said number of said sensors does not exceed a selected minimum number.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 44 wherein said second test further comprises determining whether said number of sensors exceeds by a selected amount an aggregate of said number of sensors and a number of nonadjacent sensors in said array that produce signals that exceed said threshold.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 56 words

The method of claim 57 further comprising determining that said second test has passed if said number of sensors exceeds by the selected amount the aggregate of said number of sensors and the number of nonadjacent sensors in said array that produce signals that exceed said threshold, and otherwise determining that said second test has failed.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 46 wherein said plurality of tests includes a third test comprising determining a difference between amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 59 wherein said difference is a ratio between the signal having a highest amplitude and the signal having a lowest amplitude.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 60 further comprising determining that said third test has passed if said ratio exceeds a second threshold, and otherwise determines that said third test has failed.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 65 words

The method of claim 59 further comprising successively acquiring a plurality of sets of said signals from said sensors at successively different times as said array is moved over the tissue, each of said sets of signals representing the underlying tissue structures at said times, storing said sets of signals, and performing said plurality of processing tests on each one of said sets of signals.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 62 further comprising performing additional said processing tests on a selected number of said sets of said signals that have passed said first, second, and third tests.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 63 further comprising performing said additional processing tests only if said selected number of said sets of said signals are consecutively acquired without interruption by a set of said signals that do not pass either said first, second, or third test.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 130 words

The method of claim 62 wherein said additional tests include a fourth test that comprises, for each of said sets of said signals: analyzing the amplitudes of said signals that exceed said threshold to develop for each of the underlying tissue structures a pair of pressure profiles each of which comprises signals produced by sensors in said array that are arranged along a selected dimension of a corresponding underlying tissue structure, a first said pressure profile being oriented along a dimension of maximum flatness of the structure, and a second said pressure profile being oriented along a dimension of minimum flatness of the structure, and determining an edge profile, a relative stiffness, and a relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure based on said first and second pressure profiles.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method of claim 65 further comprising determining said edge profile based on an amount that the amplitude of said signals change from sensor to sensor along said second pressure profile.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 65 further comprising determining said relative stiffness based on a difference between the signal having a highest amplitude and the signal having a lowest amplitude in said first pressure profile.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 65 further comprising determining said relative curvature based on a flatness of said first pressure profile.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 56 words

The method of claim 65 further comprising evaluating said edge profile, said relative stiffness, and said relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure with respect to each other and, based on said evaluation, developing an outcome that indicates a degree of membership of each said underlying tissue structure in a class of foreign tissue structures.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 69 further comprising giving selective amounts of weights to said edge profile, said relative stiffness, and said relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure in developing said outcome.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 46 words

The method of claim 65 wherein said additional tests include a fifth test comprising evaluating said sets of said signals to determine a manner in which each of the underlying tissue structures moves with respect to said array as said array is moved over the tissue.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 71 wherein said fifth test includes determining a distance by which each said underlying tissue structure moves with respect to said array, and a trajectory along which each said underlying tissue structure moves with respect to said array.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method of claim 72 further comprising evaluating said distance and said trajectory of motion of each said underlying tissue structure with respect to each other and, based on said evaluation, developing an outcome that indicates a degree of membership of each said underlying tissue structure in a class of foreign tissue structures.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 73 further comprising giving selective amounts of weights to said distance and said trajectory of motion of each said underlying tissue structure in developing said outcome.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 73 further comprising evaluating said edge profile, said relative stiffness, and said relative curvature of each said underlying tissue structure with respect to each other in developing said outcome.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 75 further comprising responding to said developed outcome by notifying a user whether the underlying tissue structure is a potentially foreign tissue structure.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising displaying signals that correspond to said amplitudes of said signals generated by said sensors, thereby to enable a user to visualize said distribution.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising responding to said signals produced by said sensors by determining an amount of pressure applied to said plurality of sensors when said sensors are pressed against the body, and performing said plurality of processing tests only if the amount of pressure is within a selected range of pressures.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 78 further notifying a user that the amount of pressure is within a selected range of pressures.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising arranging said plurality of sensors in an array that includes multiple rows of said sensors.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 44 further comprising arranging said plurality of sensors in an array that includes a single row of said sensors.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 87 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including shapes of the pressure signatures.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 87 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including shapes of the pressure signatures.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 26 words

The device of claim 82 wherein the shapes are characterized by at least one of edge profile, relative stiffness, and relative curvature of the pressure signatures.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 98 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including a manner in which the pressure signatures change as the sensors are moved over the tissue.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 98 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including a manner in which the pressure signatures change as the sensors are moved over the tissue.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 98 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including continuity of the signals having an amplitude greater than a selected threshold in the pressure signatures.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 98 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including continuity of the signals having an amplitude greater than a selected threshold in the pressure signatures.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 87 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including size of the pressure signatures.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 87 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including size of the pressure signatures.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 89 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including peakness or flatness of the pressure signatures.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 89 words

A tissue examination device comprising a plurality of sensors each of which produces a signal in response to pressure imposed on the sensor as the sensors are pressed against the tissue, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and a processor for processing the signals to determine a plurality of characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including peakness or flatness of the pressure signatures.

Claim 97

Independent Claim 86 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including shapes of the pressure signatures.

Claim 98

Independent Claim 86 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including shapes of the pressure signatures.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 88 wherein the shapes are characterized by at least one of edge profile, relative stiffness, and relative curvature of the pressure signatures.

Claim 100

Independent Claim 97 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including a manner in which the pressure signatures change as the sensors are moved over the tissue.

Claim 101

Independent Claim 97 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including a manner in which the pressure signatures change as the sensors are moved over the tissue.

Claim 102

Independent Claim 97 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including continuity of the signals having an amplitude greater than a selected threshold in the pressure signatures.

Claim 103

Independent Claim 97 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including continuity of the signals having an amplitude greater than a selected threshold in the pressure signatures.

Claim 104

Independent Claim 86 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including size of the pressure signatures.

Claim 105

Independent Claim 86 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including size of the pressure signatures.

Claim 106

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including peakness or flatness of the pressure signatures.

Claim 107

Independent Claim 88 words

A method of examining tissue comprising pressing a plurality of sensors against the tissue to cause each of the sensors to produce a signal in response to the pressure imposed on the sensor by said pressing, the signals representing pressure signatures associated with different types of underlying tissue structures, and processing the signals to determine characteristics of the pressure signatures and discriminating between the different types of the underlying tissue structures based on the determined characteristics, the plurality of characteristics including peakness or flatness of the pressure signatures.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-11-22	2003-05-24	2003-11-23	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-11-22	2007-05-24	2007-11-23	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-11-22	2011-05-24	2011-11-23	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Tissue examination

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