Importance

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Abstract

A diagnostic impedance measuring system having an elongate tissue-penetrating probe member with a plurality of axially spaced reference electrodes disposed about a distal portion of the probe. The reference electrodes measure the impedance of the biological tissue adjacent each electrode. A first comparator element compares the measured impedance of at least a first and a second of the reference electrodes, and the comparator generates a first signal indicative of the impedance difference between the two electrodes. A second comparator element compares the measured impedance between either the first or second electrode and one additional electrode, and generates a second signal indicative of the impedance difference between the two electrodes. A third comparator element compares the first and second signals and generates a third signal indicative of the impedance difference between the two signals. The third signal communicates with a signal evaluation element that determines the relative position of the probe within a patient's body.

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First Claim