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Non-invasive system for breast cancer detection

  • US 5,704,355 A
  • Filed: 06/21/1995
  • Issued: 01/06/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A non-invasive system utilizing non-ionizing electromagnetic millimeter waves of minimal thermal heating capacity for detection of a tumor in a breast, comprising:

  • a generator for generating a non-ionizing high-frequency electromagnetic input wave;

    illumination means for creating an effectively focussed non-ionizing electromagnetic beam from the input wave and directing said beam to impinge upon an effective focal point at a predetermined position within a breast;

    wave impedance matching means, in the illumination means, matching the impedance of the illumination means to the wave impedance of normal breast tissue;

    a wave guide for applying the input wave from the generator to the breast through the illumination means;

    focal point shifting means, connected to the illumination means, for shifting the effective focal point across the breast in a predetermined pattern to scan selected incremental volumes within the breast;

    at least one scattered wave collector positioned to intercept scattered waves from the incremental volumes within the breast and develop a return signal representative of the scattered waves from within the breast;

    and a receiver, including a detector, connected to the scattered wave collector, for detecting anomalies in the return signal to identify a tumor and its location in the breast.

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