Indicating temperature within living tissue
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for indicating temperature within living tissue, comprising:
- impedance varying reflector means responsive to temperature changes for changing its impedance as a function of temperature;
said reflector means adapted for implantation within said tissue for positioning to reflect impinging microwave signals;
a microwave signal transmitter providing said microwave signal to said reflector at a predetermined frequency;
a meter for indicating the level of a reflected microwave signal reflected from said reflector in response to said microwave signal from said transmitter;
applicator means, adapted for contact with said tissue, for providing a substantially matched impedance at a given temperature for coupling microwave signals to and from said tissue; and
means for coupling said transmitted microwave signal from said transmitter to said applicator means for application to said tissue and said reflector and for coupling to said meter a microwave signal reflected to said applicator means from said reflector;
whereby said reflector in response to changes in temperature of said tissue from said given temperature will cause the level of said reflected signal to change as a function of said temperature changes in said tissue.
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Abstract
A reflector that reflects a microwave signal as a function of temperature is implanted within living tissue of a human. A microwave signal is transmitted to the reflector via an applicator in contact with the skin of the human. A portion of the signal reflected from the reflector is coupled via the applicator to a meter that provides an indication of the temperature of the reflector.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. Apparatus for indicating temperature within living tissue, comprising:
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impedance varying reflector means responsive to temperature changes for changing its impedance as a function of temperature; said reflector means adapted for implantation within said tissue for positioning to reflect impinging microwave signals; a microwave signal transmitter providing said microwave signal to said reflector at a predetermined frequency; a meter for indicating the level of a reflected microwave signal reflected from said reflector in response to said microwave signal from said transmitter; applicator means, adapted for contact with said tissue, for providing a substantially matched impedance at a given temperature for coupling microwave signals to and from said tissue; and means for coupling said transmitted microwave signal from said transmitter to said applicator means for application to said tissue and said reflector and for coupling to said meter a microwave signal reflected to said applicator means from said reflector; whereby said reflector in response to changes in temperature of said tissue from said given temperature will cause the level of said reflected signal to change as a function of said temperature changes in said tissue. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said ferrite material is comprised of a lithium-aluminum ferrite.
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4. In the method of providing an indication of temperature within living tissue, the steps of:
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transmitting a microwave signal at a predetermined frequency into said tissue; reflecting a microwave signal from an impedance varying reflector positioned within said tissue, said reflected signal from said reflector having a signal level that is a function of said temperature; and indicating said reflected signal level as a representation of temperature within said tissue.
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Specification