With Microwave Carrier Signal Patents (Class 600/430)
  • Patent number: 12082919
    Abstract: Probes and related systems and methods are provided for localizing markers implanted within a patient's body. The probe includes an antenna assembly adjacent a distal end thereof including a ceramic base including a planar distal surface and four proximal surfaces extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the probe to define a generally pyramidal shape. The base includes antenna elements on the proximal surfaces and radial slots between adjacent proximal surfaces to substantially isolate the antenna elements from one another. A controller is coupled to the antenna elements for transmitting signals into a patient's body and receiving reflected signals reflected from a marker implanted within the patient's body to identify and/or localize the marker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Cianna Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Greene, Jonathan Edward White, Kohl Ian Thorlakson
  • Patent number: 12064174
    Abstract: An exemplary ablation system is provided. The system is designed for safe and efficacious energy delivery into tissue by, for example, emitting energy in a controlled, repeatable manner that allows for feedback and energy emission titration based on sensed parameters (e.g., tissue temperature) measured during ablation. The system may include a switching antenna for both heating of target tissue and radiometry to monitor the temperature of the heated tissue. For example, the switching antenna may include a monopole formed by proximal and distal radiating elements, such that the proximal radiating element includes a short to defeat a choke action of the proximal radiating element. The system further includes a processor for calculating the temperature of the target tissue and estimating volume of the ablation lesion based on the target tissue temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Hepta Medical SAS
    Inventors: Robert C. Allison, John McCarthy, Tim Lenihan
  • Patent number: 12042669
    Abstract: A system for radiation therapy may obtain a plurality of sets of motion data each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of motion phases of a subject. A set of motion data corresponding to a motion phase may include first physiological motion data and second physiological motion reflecting a physiological motion during the motion phase. The first physiological motion data and the second physiological motion data may be collected via a medical imaging device and a first motion sensor, respectively. The system may also direct a radiotherapy device to deliver a radiation treatment to the subject according to a treatment plan. During the radiation treatment, the system may obtain target physiological motion data reflecting the physiological motion of the subject, the target physiological motion data being collected via a second motion sensor; and adjust the treatment plan to adapt to the physiological motion of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Lingzhi Hu, Hongdi Li
  • Patent number: 11998307
    Abstract: A continuous blood glucose monitoring system and method measures emitted microwave energy transmitted to and accepted by blood vessels in a desired target area of a patient in order to determine, in real time and in vivo, appropriate blood glucose levels. A measurement unit comprises a transmitter operatively connected to an antenna to deliver energy towards appropriate subcutaneous blood vessels. The measurement unit determines an accepted energy power value in the blood vessels associated with the desired target area. This measurement energy power value is compared with a calibration value, and the difference is used to determine a resultant blood glucose value. The determined blood glucose value may further be acclimatized using additional sensed values compensating for biological and ambient factors relevant to the patient. The final determined blood glucose value can be displayed for reading and/or transmitted and stored for recording for further reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Inventor: Arnold Chase
  • Patent number: 11950896
    Abstract: A blood glucose tracking system and method measures emitted microwave energy transmitted to and accepted by blood vessels in a desired target area of a patient in order to determine, in real time and in vivo, appropriate blood glucose levels. A measurement unit comprises a transmitter operatively connected to an antenna to deliver energy towards appropriate subcutaneous blood vessels. The measurement unit determines an accepted energy power value in the blood vessels associated with the desired target area. This measurement energy power value is compared with a calibration value, and the difference is used to determine a resultant blood glucose value. The determined blood glucose value may further be acclimatized using additional sensed values compensating for biological and ambient factors relevant to the patient. The final determined blood glucose value can be displayed for reading and/or transmitted and stored for recording for further reference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Inventor: Arnold Chase
  • Patent number: 11883142
    Abstract: As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the health monitoring system 100 of one embodiment includes an electromagnetic transmitter 110 configured to transmit an electromagnetic signal towards a target body region on a user; an electromagnetic receiver 120 configured to receive reflected energy from a target body region on a user; a calibration sensor 130 that measures reference cardiovascular-related parameters of a user (such as vessel pressure, stiffness, or motion); and an activity sensor 140 configured to detect the activity state of a user. The system also includes an attachment mechanism 150 for fixing the electromagnetic transmitter, electromagnetic receiver, calibration sensor and activity sensor to the user; and a stand-off mechanism 160 for fixing the electromagnetic transmitter and electromagnetic receiver at a known standoff distance from a target body region on the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: ATCOR MEDICAL PTY, LTD.
    Inventors: Oliver Hao-Yuan Shay, Jessi E. Johnson, Lillian Lei Dai
  • Patent number: 11871896
    Abstract: The biotelemetry device (100) comprises a microcontroller (101) for generating an electrical setpoint signal (CS); a radio antenna (103) for transmitting an electromagnetic wave (EMS) by converting an incident electrical signal (IS); a radiofrequency circuit (102), interconnected between the microcontroller (101) and the radio antenna (103). The radio antenna (103) is configured such that, when the biotelemetry device (100) is placed in the biological medium (110), it can be impedance-mismatched relative to the radiofrequency circuit (102) so as to generate a reflected electrical signal (RS) by reflecting a fraction of the incident electrical signal at the same time that the radio antenna is transmitting the electromagnetic wave (EMS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: BODYCAP, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, UNIVERSITE DE RENNES
    Inventors: Denys Nikolayev, Maxim Zhadobov, Ronan Sauleau
  • Patent number: 11826178
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for motion detection. The method includes obtaining, via at least one detection device, detection data of a subject located in a field of view (FOV) of a medical device. The method also includes determining motion data of the subject based on the detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xinyuan Xia, Lingzhi Hu, Yiran Li, Shuangyue Zhang, Tuoyu Cao
  • Patent number: 11779313
    Abstract: A method to suppresses speckle noise in medical ultrasound images includes ultrasound envelope image matrix A formed from the medical ultrasound images and segmented into overlapping segments, to form a sub-matrix B for each overlapping segment. A Hermitian covariance matrix C is formulated from column vectors Z. A global covariance matrix G is formed by averaging the C. A Lanczos decomposition is applied to the G to generate an orthonormal vector matrix composed of orthonormal vectors. A tridiagonal matrix H is generated. The orthonormal vectors are sorted based on magnitude of each column. An orthogonal projection matrix Porth is formed based on the orthonormal vectors. An estimated vector signal {circumflex over (Z)} is obtained by projecting Z by Porth. An estimated despeckled segment is formed from the {circumflex over (Z)}. An estimated despeckled ultrasound image is reconstructed by averaging each pixel by the number of segment updates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University
    Inventor: Jawad F. Al-Asad
  • Patent number: 11766242
    Abstract: A method for mapping fibrous media by propagation of ultrasound from a set transducers, wherein: a number of unfocused incident ultrasonic waves having different wavefronts are emitted; the signals reverberated by the medium toward each transducer are captured; coherent signals respectively corresponding, for each transducer, to contributions coming from different fictitious focal points in the medium are determined; and then the orientation of the fibers is determined by comparing a spatial coherence between said coherent signals, in a plurality of directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (CNRS)
    Inventors: Mickaël Tanter, Mathias Fink, Mathieu Pernot, Clément Papadacci
  • Patent number: 11689274
    Abstract: Systems for determining a variability in a state of a medium include one or more transmit elements or antennas and one or more receive elements or antennas which are relatively decoupled from one another. The transmit and receive elements or antennas can be less than 95% coupled to one another. The system also includes a transmit circuit configured to generate a transmit signal to be transmitted, which is in a radio or microwave frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The system also includes a receive circuit configured to receive a response detected by the at least one receive antenna resulting from transmission of the transmit signal into the medium. The system includes a processor configured to determine the variability in the state of the medium based on processing of the response over time. The variability can further be used to direct notifications or automated actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: KNOW LABS, INC.
    Inventors: Phillip Bosua, Dominic Klyve
  • Patent number: 11576586
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a health parameter in a person is disclosed. The method involves transmitting radio waves below the skin surface of a person and across a range of stepped frequencies, receiving radio waves on a two-dimensional array of receive antennas, the received radio waves including a reflected portion of the transmitted radio waves across the range of stepped frequencies, generating data that corresponds to the received radio waves, wherein the data includes amplitude and phase data, deriving data from at least one of the amplitude and phase data, and determining a value that is indicative of a health parameter in the person in response to the derived data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: MOVANO INC.
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 11510728
    Abstract: A medical imaging system comprising: a microwave antenna array comprising a transmitting antenna and a plurality of receiving antennae, wherein the transmitting antenna is configured to transmit microwave signals so as to illuminate a body part of a patient and the receiving antennae are configured to receive the microwave signals following scattering within the body part; a processor configured to process the scattered microwave signals and generate an output indicative of the internal structure of the body part to identify a target within the body part; and an ablation probe comprising an ablation needle movable relative to the microwave antenna array; wherein the receiving antennae are further configured to receive microwave signals scattered or emitted by the ablation needle and the processor is further configured to monitor a position of the ablation needle and to guide the ablation needle to the identified target within the body part which it can be used to perform an ablation procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Micrima Limited
    Inventors: Peter Romilly Bannister, Andrew Farley
  • Patent number: 11083384
    Abstract: A pulse measurement apparatus, a method therefor, and a vehicle system are provided. The pulse measurement apparatus includes a communicator configured to transmit a first signal to a user and receive a second signal reflected from the user during a predetermined time, a filter configured to extract a signal of a set frequency band from the second signal, a setting device configured to set a frequency band of the filter to a first frequency band or a second frequency band, and a pulse detector configured to measure a pulse from the signal extracted by the filter, analyze an average pulse, and detect pulse information of the user from the analyzed result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, OMRON AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRONIC KOREA CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Eung Hwan Kim, Seul Ki Jeon, Nam Woong Hur, Gyun Ha Kim, Sang Won Lee, Ho Jin Lee, Sang Bum Kim
  • Patent number: 11045106
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting disease comprising a device for detecting angiogenesis and an electronic device. The device comprises two microwave scanners, at least one multiple channel radiometer, a microwave switch network, a controller, a data transmission device, and a power source. Each microwave scanner comprises a cup; a flexible printed circuit board, each circuit board comprising: a plurality of antenna modules coupled thereto, each antenna module comprising: an antenna, a multi-throw microwave switch, and a temperature sensor. The antenna is configured to receive microwaves thermal radiation from patient tissue and the radiometer is configured to measure microwaves thermal radiation emitted from patient tissue. The data transmission device is configured to wirelessly transmit measurement data collected by the controller from the radiometer and the temperature sensors to an electronic device and the electronic device is configured to transmit the measurement data to a cloud data storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: THERMOVISIONUSA, INC.
    Inventors: Julius Chin-Hong Shu, Robert C. Allison
  • Patent number: 11002819
    Abstract: A radar system includes a transmitter for transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal or a radar signal and a plurality of receivers. Each receiver receives a plurality of reflected signals created by a plurality of targets reflecting the RF signal or radar signal. The reflected signals include background noise and each of the receivers are separated by a predetermined distance. The radar system also includes a multiple input de-noiser configured to de-noise input signals from the plurality of receivers and to determine a time difference of arrival of the reflected signals between the plurality of receivers. A detection and angular resolution module is configured to determine an angular resolution between the plurality of targets using the time difference of arrival of the reflected signals between the plurality of receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Peter S. Wittenberg, Simon L. Haxton, Jason R. Smith, Peter Petre
  • Patent number: 10980421
    Abstract: An electromagnetic tomography system for gathering measurement data pertaining to a human head includes an image chamber unit, a control system, and a housing. The image chamber unit includes an antenna assembly defining a horizontally-oriented imaging chamber and including an array of antennas arranged around the imaging chamber. The antennas include at least some transmitting antennas and some receiving antennas. The control system causes the transmitting antennas to transmit a low power electromagnetic field that is received by the receiving antennas after passing through a patient's head in the imaging chamber. A data tensor is produced that may be inversed to reconstruct a 3D distribution of dielectric properties within the head and to create an image. The housing at least partially contains the antenna assembly and has a front entry opening into the imaging chamber. The head is inserted horizontally through the front entry opening and into the imaging chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: EMTensor GmbH
    Inventor: Serguei Y. Semenov
  • Patent number: 10957991
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure disclose a planar array antenna, including at least one first radiation array arranged along a first direction. The first radiation array includes at least one first radiation unit and at least one radiation unit pair, the first radiation unit and the radiation unit pair are disposed on an axis of the first radiation array, the radiation unit pair includes at least two second radiation units, and the at least two second radiation units are symmetric with respect to the axis of the first radiation array. In addition, the embodiments of this disclosure further disclose a communications device to which the planar array antenna is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weihong Xiao, Naibiao Wang, Guoqing Xie
  • Patent number: 10948620
    Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) receiver system for measuring EM signals. The EM receiver system includes a survey EM transmitter for generating survey EM signals within a first frequency range; a calibration EM transmitter for generating a calibration signal; a receiver section, including a receiver housing and a receiver, that measures both the survey EM signals and the calibration signal; and a calibration device connected to the calibration EM transmitter and to the receiver, the calibration device configured to control a frequency and waveform of the calibration signal. The calibration device is further configured to calculate a response function of the receiver, based on the calibration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: CGG SERVICES SAS
    Inventors: Philip Miles, Jason Berringer
  • Patent number: 10856740
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic imaging device is provided having a transmitter configured to provide an electromagnetic transmit signal (e.g. a continuous sinusoidal signal) to an object being imaged. The transmit signal is a modulated continuous-wave signal based on a carrier frequency signal fc modulated at a modulation frequency at or near fm. The detector is further configured to receive an acoustic signal from the object being imaged, and is responsive to acoustic frequencies at or near 2fm. A non-linear thermoacoustic effect in the object being imaged generates the acoustic signal from the object being imaged. Spectroscopic maps could be generated and imaged object could be analyzed. The device enhances signal-to-noise ratio of the reconstructed image and reduces the requirement of peak power in thermoacoustic imaging systems. In addition, the generated pressure of the imaged object is separated from microwave leakage and feedthrough in frequency through the nonlinear thermoacoustic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Mohammad Amin Arbabian, Hao Nan
  • Patent number: 10849549
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus, systems and methods relate to tracking abdominal orientation and activity for purposes of preventing or treating conditions of pregnancy or other types of medical conditions. In certain specific embodiments, the system, device, or method relates to identifying abdominal orientation risk values, calculating and updating a cumulative risk value, comparing the cumulative risk value to a threshold, and outputting a warning when the cumulative risk value crosses the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Smart Human Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Dugan
  • Patent number: 10665427
    Abstract: A high frequency radio frequency (RF) generator that generates a high frequency RF signal is described. There is no need for another low frequency RF generator that generates a low frequency RF signal. A low frequency RF signal is pre-amplified within the high frequency RF generator to output a pre-amplified low frequency RF signal. Similarly, a high frequency RF signal is pre-amplified within the high frequency RF generator to output a pre-amplified high frequency RF signal. The high frequency RF generator combines the pre-amplified low frequency RF with the pre-amplified high frequency RF signal to provide a combined RF signal. The combined RF signal is amplified within the high frequency RF generator to supply an amplified signal to a match. There is also no need for another match for the low frequency RF generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Lam Research Corporation
    Inventors: Sunil Kapoor, Thomas Frederick
  • Patent number: 10588538
    Abstract: The invention relates to a medical imaging system having microwave emitting antennas and antennas for receiving the electromagnetic field, which are arranged around a space for receiving a human tissue medium to be observed, and comprising: an array (3) of emitting antennas and an array (4) of receiving antennas, wherein said two arrays (3, 4) are independent, and motors capable of angularly rotating and of translating the emitting array (3) and/or the receiving array (4) relative to the space under observation, in order to enable the scanning thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: MVG INDUSTRIES, OFFICE NATIONAL D'ETUDES ET RECHERCHES AEROSPATIALES (ONERA)
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Castelli, Luc Duchesne, Virginie Tessier, Ludovic Durand, Philippe Garreau, Nicolas Adnet, Stéphane Thiébaut
  • Patent number: 10441191
    Abstract: A measuring device comprises a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, at least one antenna, a control device and a dielectric extension. The dielectric extension is disposed between the antenna and an object to be investigated. The control device controls the microwave transmitter and the microwave receiver. The microwave transmitter transmits a microwave signal by means of the antenna and the dielectric extension into the object to be investigated. The object to be investigated scatters the microwave signal. The microwave receiver receives the scattered microwave signal by means of the antenna and the dielectric extension. The length and the dielectric constant of the dielectric extension in this context are dimensioned in such a manner that the object to be investigated is disposed in the remote field of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Leibfritz
  • Patent number: 10383544
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for localizing lesions within a patient's body, e.g., within a breast. The system includes a microwave antenna probe for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals to detect one or more markers that are implanted within or around the target tissue region. During use, the marker(s) are implanted into a target tissue region, and the microwave antenna probe is placed against the patient's skin to transmit a signal to the marker(s) and to receive the reflected signal from the marker(s) in order to determine the location of the marker(s). A tissue specimen, including the lesion and the marker(s), is then removed from the target tissue region based at least in part on the location information from the microwave antenna probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: CIANNA MEDICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Larry W Fullerton, John E. Greene, Tommy G. Nguyen, Eduardo Chi Sing
  • Patent number: 10342428
    Abstract: A method for improving biometric data by using a plurality of wearable devices on a network includes making a first measurement at a first wearable sensor at a first location on a body, making a second measurement at a second wearable sensor positioned at a second location on the body, and detecting an arterial pulse wave transmit time using the first measurement and the second measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: BRAGI GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Vincent Boesen, Nikolaj Hviid
  • Patent number: 10258251
    Abstract: A breast cancer imaging device with microwave surface impedance is a device which is used for imaging tumors in breast tissue using harmless electromagnetic waves in microwave band. It performs this function by using harmless electromagnetic waves without using X-ray. Thus, it can be performed in desired frequency, as many times as desired. Since compressing the breasts is no longer required, it is not a painful imaging process for the patient; moreover, it does not fail to detect the tumors that are close to the rib cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: MITOS MEDIKAL TEKNOLOJILER SANAYI VE TICARET ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventors: Guray Ali Canli, Ibrahim Akduman, Mehmet Cayoren, Ali Yapar, Hulya Sahinturk
  • Patent number: 10213128
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for imaging a tissue. The method includes transmitting a first microwave frequency signal to and receiving a first total signal from the tissue at a first position. A second microwave frequency signal is transmitted to and a second total signal received from the tissue at a second position. The first total signal is calibrated with respect to the second total signal and an image is constructed from the calibrated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: JointVue LLC
    Inventor: Mohamed R. Mahfouz
  • Patent number: 9782087
    Abstract: A heart rate estimating apparatus may include a transmitter to transmit microwave with respect to a subject, a receiver to receive and detect reflected wave from the subject irradiated with the microwave, and acquire a detected result, a sensor to sense a movement of the subject, and acquire a sensed result, and an estimating unit. The estimating unit may estimate a heart rate based on feature points remaining after excluding, from heart rate candidates, feature points that are obtained by frequency analysis of the detected result and are located in a vicinity of frequencies at which feature points are obtained by frequency analysis of the sensed result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Takayuki Yamaji
  • Patent number: 9572511
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an intrabody region of a patient. The method comprises intercepting electromagnetic (EM) radiation from the intrabody region in a plurality of EM radiation sessions during a period of at least 6 hours, calculating a dielectric related change of the intrabody region by analyzing respective the intercepted EM radiation, detecting a physiological pattern according to said dielectric related change. and outputting a notification indicating the physiological pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Sensible Medical Innovations Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Kochba, Dan Rappaport, Amir Saroka, Shlomi Bergida, Nadav Mizrahi, Amir Ronen
  • Patent number: 9526438
    Abstract: A microwave stethoscope measurement method and sensor design employ a microwave transmission sensor and a microwave reception sensor placed on a patient's chest in spaced-apart side-by-side configuration for monitoring patient vital signs, lung water content and other critical measurements. The side-by-side sensors are spaced apart a separation distance of about 1-3 cm in lateral chest orientation. The sensors may be formed with a textile fabric for wearer comfort and to improve contact with the patient's skin. The microwave sensor measurements are digitally processed using a modified short time Fourier Transform (STFT) spectrum windowed-averaged algorithm. Output data extracted from the microwave sensor measurements may be transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device such as a smartphone for remote monitoring of the patient's medical condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: University of Hawaii
    Inventors: Magdy F. Iskander, Nuri Celik, Ruthsenne Gagarin, Gui Chao Huang, Darcy Alan Bibb
  • Patent number: 9439729
    Abstract: Radiofrequency energy emitted from and reflected back toward a thermal ablation probe may be used to detect a gradual dissolution of a reflective interface between a tumor and surrounding healthy tissue as the ablation zone passes through this interface providing a real-time guidance with respect to the progress of ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Peng Wang, Christopher L. Brace
  • Patent number: 9289139
    Abstract: A method employed in a prior art arm-worn blood pressure monitor to measure the height position of the heart has been an indirect method that merely estimates the position of the heart, and therefore has had the problems that the measurement accuracy and the reliability of the measurement are low, and that the measuring position is awkward and it is difficult to achieve correct position alignment. An arm-worn blood pressure monitor includes a cuff, a microwave transmitting unit for radiating a microwave onto a human subject, a microwave receiving unit for receiving a reflected wave Doppler-shifted relative to the radiated microwave due to a heartbeat of the subject, and a correct position detector for detecting, based on the reflected wave, whether the cuff worn around an arm of the subject is located in a correct position relative to the position of the heart of the subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignees: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD., CITIZEN SYSTEMS JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideki Shimizu, Yuichi Kato
  • Patent number: 9255901
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for triaging patients according to radiation exposure measures electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of fingernails, toenails, and/or teeth. In vivo, radiation induced spectra are obtained from intact fingernails, toenails, or teeth placed within a magnet and with pickup coils over nails between the cut edge at the end of the fingernail and proximal skin or placed adjacent to at least one tooth. The system may also operate in vitro with fingernail clippings. At least three spectra are obtained with one after a delay at above twenty degrees Celsius, and at least one at power levels different from the others. The spectra are used to determine and remove a mechanically induced signal from EPR spectra to determine radiation-induced spectra. The radiation induced spectra are used to determine radiation dose, the dose is compared to triage limits, and a radiological triage tag is printed for the patients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Harold M. Swartz, Jiang Gui, Xiaoming He, Piotr Leniewski, Roberto J. Nicolalde Flores, Benjamin B. Williams, Dean E. Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9164033
    Abstract: An imaging system for an object such as human or animal tissue uses scattering of an illuminating electromagnetic wave by acoustic vibrations to generate a scattered electromagnetic wave including Doppler components shifted from the frequency of the illuminating electromagnetic wave by frequencies of the acoustic vibration and multiples thereof. An acoustic transducer apparatus applies acoustic vibrations localized in two or three dimensions in a plurality of regions. A transmitter simultaneously illuminates the object with an illuminating electromagnetic wave that has a frequency in the range from 100 MHz to 100 GHz, the vibration direction of the acoustic vibration having a component parallel to the propagation direction of the illuminating electromagnetic wave. A receiver receives the scattered electromagnetic wave. A signal processing apparatus derives characteristics of the Doppler components, and stores image data representing the derived characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: ISIS INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: David John Edwards, Christopher John Stevens
  • Patent number: 9044158
    Abstract: A method of imaging biological tissue enables imaging structure in the biological tissue with an antenna tuned to emit radio energy through at least a covering layer of the biological tissue without significant attenuation of the radio energy. The method includes contacting skin covering tissue with a radio frequency emitting antenna, and adjusting at least one of a radiator and a feed in the antenna with reference to at least one measured electrical or physical property of the skin. The adjustment of the radiator and feed enable a combination of the antenna and skin to emit radio energy at a predetermined magnitude and frequency into a portion of the tissue covered by the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Khodadad Varahramyan, Mangilal Agarwal, Sudhir Shrestha
  • Patent number: 9002427
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-invasive and continuous measurement of respiratory chamber volume and associated parameters including respiratory rate, respiratory rhythm, tidal volume, dielectric variability and respiratory congestion. In particular, a non-invasive apparatus and method for determining dynamic and structural physiologic data from a living subject including a change in the spatial configuration of a respiratory chamber, a lung or a lobe of a lung to determine overall respiratory health comprising an ultra wide-band radar system having at least one transmitting and receiving antenna for applying ultra wide-band radio signals to a target area of the subject's anatomy wherein the receiving antenna collects and transmits signal returns from the target area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LifeWave Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Paul Tupin, Jr., Joe Paul Tupin, Kenneth Arlan Murray, Jr., John David Tupin
  • Patent number: 8998928
    Abstract: The present invention improves significantly the success rate of lithotripsy and reduces the risk of tissue damage, by injecting a temporary plug in front, and optionally behind a concretion (for extracorporeal lithotripsy) or behind a concretion (for intracorporeal lithotripsy). One aspect of the present invention relates to injecting an inverse thermosensitive polymer solution into a lumen, thereby preventing the migration of a concretion, or its fragments, upon extracorporeal or intracorporeal lithotripsy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Genzyme Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Schwarz, W. Scott McDougal
  • Patent number: 8977340
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting permittivity and conductivity boundaries within a high resolution spatial image of a material is presented. Electrical properties of a material, such as permittivity and conductivity, may assist in identification of physical properties of the material. Structural boundaries within tissue may be identified in spatial images, such as MR images. Image reconstruction algorithms may combine these structural boundaries with microwave images of the tissue to determine the permittivity and conductivity parameters within the structural boundaries. In the case of soft tissue, the microwave images may be captured simultaneously with the spatial images. The microwave images may be taken at a different time from the spatial image for rigid tissue. The method may be employed for two dimensional or three dimensional image reconstruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Dartmounth College
    Inventors: Amir H. Golnabi, Keith D. Paulsen, Paul M. Meaney
  • Publication number: 20150045663
    Abstract: There is provided a device arranged to couple electromagnetic-imaging radiation from a source medium into an electromagnetic-imaging target, the device comprising a first supporting component having a thickness no greater than a wavelength of the electromagnetic-imaging radiation. The first supporting component supports a planar array of first conducting elements, wherein each first conducting element has a first dimension no greater than a first wavelength of the electromagnetic-imaging radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: George PALIKARAS
  • Patent number: 8948847
    Abstract: A system for imaging tissue includes a millimeter wave Quasi-optical backward wave oscillator. Tumorous tissue is detected in a reconstructed image using solvable inverse image reconstruction techniques. In one embodiment, three-dimensional breast imaging is enabled by providing radiation as a focused energy beam over a wide frequency range and at power levels to penetrate breast tissue disposed within dielectric compression plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Tufts University
    Inventors: Mohammed N. Afsar, Liu Chao
  • Patent number: 8938284
    Abstract: A device for the investigation of an object uses a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, a control device and a contrast medium. The microwave transmitter and the microwave receiver are controlled by the control device. In one embodiment, the following steps may be implemented: introduction of the contrast medium into the object under investigation; transmission of a microwave signal into the object under investigation by the microwave transmitter; scattering of the microwave signal by the object under investigation and by the contrast medium; and/or reception of the scattered microwave signal by the microwave receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Leibfritz, Gerd Hechtfischer, René Krupka, Jan Prochnow
  • Publication number: 20150018676
    Abstract: A heart-rate sensor for detecting artery blood-flow volume per unit length change in a human or animal subject, which comprises an antenna for sensing the instantaneous volume of blood in the artery of the subject, to be measured; a RADAR unit for transmitting microwave signals into a subject's body part or limb representing tissue targets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: SENSIFREE LTD.
    Inventor: Ilan Saul Barak
  • Publication number: 20150011876
    Abstract: A system detects extravasation or infiltration by segregating active components that drive a passive sensor for economical single use. A receiving antenna of the passive sensor receives antenna for receiving a transmitted signal comprising RF electromagnetic power. A first circuit transmits a first portion of the received signal through a body portion. A sensor detects a resultant signal from the body portion. A second circuit combines a reference signal comprising a second portion of the received signal with the resultant signal so as to define an output signal. A transmit antenna transmits the output signal to a receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Chad E. Bouton
  • Patent number: 8923951
    Abstract: Provided among other things is a thermal noise imaging device with (a) thermal noise source; (b) amplifier of thermal noise; (c) antennas adapted to transmit the amplified noise to a perfused body and receive perfused body noise; (d) reference circuit adapted to receive the amplified thermal noise and produce a reference signal; (e) perfused body docking interface adapted to interface with one or more surfaces of the perfused body and (i) support a reflection set of one or more antennas in close proximity with a surface of the perfused body or (ii) support separate transmission sets of one or more antennas on opposing surfaces of the perfused body; and (f) analytical module for the perfused body noise and the reference signal and determining a reflected power from the reflection set or a transmitted power from the transmission sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: MMTC, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Mawhinney, Fred Sterzer
  • Patent number: 8892189
    Abstract: An object measurement method and system including an arrangement of individual signal transceivers connected together as a flexible unit. The arrangement of individual signal transceivers measures a characteristic of an object situated within a subject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Olga Boric-Lubecke, Victor Lubecke, Katherine A. August
  • Patent number: 8882670
    Abstract: Apparatus for minimally invasively measuring concentrations of constituents contained within a biological tissue structure includes a microwave energy source arranged generate a range of microwave frequencies, a first antenna coupled to the microwave energy source and arranged to transmit at least a portion of the microwave energy into the tissue structure, a second antenna arranged to receive at least a portion of the microwave energy transmitted through the tissue structure, a signal processor arranged to determine the resonant frequency of the received microwave energy, and a data processor arranged to provide an output of the concentration of constituents within the biological tissue structure according to the determined resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Credent Medical Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Paul Hancock
  • Publication number: 20140323823
    Abstract: A microwave stethoscope measurement method and sensor design employ a microwave transmission sensor and a microwave reception sensor placed on a patient's chest in spaced-apart side-by-side configuration for monitoring patient vital signs, lung water content and other critical measurements. The side-by-side sensors are spaced apart a separation distance of about 1-3 cm in lateral chest orientation. The sensors may be formed with a textile fabric for wearer comfort and to improve contact with the patient's skin. The microwave sensor measurements are digitally processed using a modified short time Fourier Transform (STFT) spectrum windowed-averaged algorithm. Output data extracted from the microwave sensor measurements may be transmitted wirelessly to a mobile device such as a smartphone for remote monitoring of the patient's medical condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
    Inventors: Magdy F. Iskander, Nuri Celik, Ruthsenne Gagarin, Gui Chao Huang, Darcy Alan Bibb
  • Publication number: 20140316261
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting biometrics using a life detecting radar are disclosed. Life detecting radars can include transmit antennas configured to transmit continuous microwave (“CW”) radio signals that reflect back upon making contact with various objects. The signal can be systematically varied in frequency to provide a signal that is essentially continuous with short gaps between transmissions at different frequencies. The reflected return signals are received by one or more receive antennas and processed to detect one or more targets. The received signal can include a static (i.e. constant phase) signal corresponding to reflections from objects that do not move. The received signal can also include a phase varying signal that corresponds to reflections from a living target having measurable biometrics including (but not limited to) breathing patterns and heartbeats. Clutter can be removed and the remaining portions of the received signal are analyzed for target detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: James Paul Lux, Vaughn P. Cable, Salman-ul Mohammed Haque, Michael Ray McKee, Hirad Ghaemi, Richard Kalantar Ohanian
  • Publication number: 20140316260
    Abstract: An apparatus for self-examining whether a breast tissue is abnormal includes an examination checker configured to transmit a microwave to one side of an examinee's breast, receive the microwave that has passed through the breast and calculate a value in the microwave reception of the received microwave. Further, the apparatus includes a self-examination device configured to analyze the value in the microwave reception received from the examination checker and examines whether the breast is abnormal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Soon Ik JEON, Hyung Do CHOI