Apparatus and method for heart size measurement using microwave doppler radar

• US 20040015087A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: August, Katherine A., Lubecke, Victo, Boric-Lubecke, Olga
• Granted Patent: US 8,892,189 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/509
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0507 using microwaves or terahertz waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1075 for measuring dimensions by non-invasive methods, e.g. for determining thickness of tissue layer A61B8/0858 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1076 for measuring dimensions inside body cavities, e.g. using catheters A61B3/1005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6887 mounted on external non-worn devices, e.g. non-medical devices

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.

Claims

1. An object measurement apparatus, comprising:

an arrangement of individual signal transceivers connected together as a formable semi-rigid unit, the arrangement of individual signal transceivers for measuring a characteristic of an object situated within a subject.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement of individual signal transceivers is connected to a display apparatus.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each individual transceiver of the individual signal transceivers is associated with at least one pixel of the display apparatus.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic is the size of the object situated within the subject.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the object is a heart.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the characteristic of the object is measured using a Doppler effect of signals transmitted from at least a plurality of the individual signal transceivers that reflect off of the object situated within the subject.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flexible unit is capable of maintaining a formed shape.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each individual signal transceiver of the flexible unit is positioned in substantially a vertical manner and a signal emitting part of each individual signal transceiver is positioned substantially at one end thereof.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each individual signal transceiver is a waveguide.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each individual signal transceiver is coaxial probe.

11. The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein at least a plurality of the individual signal transceivers emits a signal in a GHz range.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement is part of a bed.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement is an integral part of a chair.

12. A method of determining a characteristic of an object within a subject, comprising:

transmitting a signal through each of at least a plurality of the signal transceivers connected together as a formable semi-rigid unit, which are in a proximity of the subject; and

determining a characteristic of the object based on reflected signals.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein a Doppler effect observed from the signals transmitted by the at a least plurality of the signal transceivers and the reflected signals is used in determining the characteristic of the object.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the reflected signals are those reflected off of the object.

15. The method according to claim 12, further comprising forming the flexible unit in a semi-rigid shape in accordance with at least one contour of subject.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein the arrangement of individual signal transceivers is placed in close proximity to the subject.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein the arrangement of individual signal transceivers is placed directly on the subject.

18. An object measurement arrangement, comprising:

means for transmitting signals into the person to obtain a characteristic of an object situated within the person; and

means for causing the means for transmitting to be semi-rigid yet formable.

19. The arrangement according to claim 18, further comprising means for displaying the characteristic of the object.

20. The arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the object is a heart and the characteristic is the size of the heart.

21. The arrangement according to claim 18, further comprising means for receiving signals reflected off the object and for combining the reflected signals with the transmitted signals.