Apparatus and method for measuring lung water content
First Claim
1. A method for measuring change in fluid content within an animal body comprising the steps of:
- obtaining an antenna means responsive to microwave radiation;
positioning the antenna means so as to detect microwave radiation emitted from the animal body, wherein said microwave radiation corresponds to emissivity of the body in regions being monitored, with said emissivity being influenced by the fluid content within said animal body;
emitting a signal from the antenna means which correlates to the microwave radiation detected by said antenna means and which corresponds to said emissivity;
comparing the signals from the antenna means over time so as to identify changes in amounts of the microwave radiation detected by the antenna means and thus changes in the emissivity; and
identifying change in the fluid content within the monitored region based on the changes identified in the emissivity of the monitored region.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A microwave radiometer for the passive, noninvasive measurement of fluid content in animal bodies. The radiometer system includes a ridged waveguide antenna which is responsive to frequencies in the microwave range emitted from the patient'"'"'s body and is of compact size and light in weight so as to be easily secured to the patient with minimum discomfort and loss of mobility. A heating system is attached to the antenna so as to maintain antenna temperature at approximately the temperature of the patient'"'"'s body surface. The associated control circuitry processes signals received from the antenna at one or more frequencies and produces an output signal which correlates to the amount of fluid within the measured region of the body.
58 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A method for measuring change in fluid content within an animal body comprising the steps of:
-
obtaining an antenna means responsive to microwave radiation; positioning the antenna means so as to detect microwave radiation emitted from the animal body, wherein said microwave radiation corresponds to emissivity of the body in regions being monitored, with said emissivity being influenced by the fluid content within said animal body; emitting a signal from the antenna means which correlates to the microwave radiation detected by said antenna means and which corresponds to said emissivity; comparing the signals from the antenna means over time so as to identify changes in amounts of the microwave radiation detected by the antenna means and thus changes in the emissivity; and identifying change in the fluid content within the monitored region based on the changes identified in the emissivity of the monitored region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method for measuring changes in fluid content within selected regions of an animal body comprising the steps of:
-
obtaining an antenna responsive to microwave radiation; positioning the antenna adjacent the animal body so as to detect microwave radiation emitted from the animal body, wherein said microwave radiation corresponds to emissivity of the body in regions being monitored, with said emissivity being influenced by the fluid content within said animal body; emitting a signal from the antenna which correlates to the microwave radiation detected by said antenna and which corresponds to said emissivity; comparing the signal from the antenna means over time so as to identify changes in amounts of the microwave radiation detected by the antenna means and thus changes in the emissivity; and identifying change in the fluid content within the monitored region based on the changes identified in the emissivity of the monitored region. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A method for measuring changes in fluid content within selected regions of an animal body comprising the steps of:
-
(a) obtaining an antenna responsive to microwave radiation and having and impedance which is similar to an impedance of the animal body to be measured; (b) connecting the antenna to electronic control circuitry; (c) connecting the antenna to a temperature control system for regulating temperature of said antenna; (d) positioning the antenna upon a surface over the selected region of the body to be measured; (e) monitoring the temperature of the body; (f) monitoring the temperature of the antenna; (g) actuating the temperature control means when the monitored body temperature is higher than the monitored antenna temperature so as to maintain the antenna at a temperature level which is approximately the same as that of said body; (h) monitoring with the antenna the microwave radiation emitted from the body, wherein said microwave radiation corresponds to emissivity of the body in regions being monitored, with said emissivity being influenced by the fluid content within said body; (i) emitting a signal from the antenna which correlates to the monitored radiation and which corresponds to the emissivity; (j) processing the signal from the antenna in the electronic control circuitry; and (k) comparing processed signals over time so as to identify changes in the amounts of radiation monitored by the antenna and thus changes in the emissivity; and (l) determining the changes in the fluid content within the animal body based on the changes in the emissivity of the monitored region identified in the comparing steps. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification