Method and apparatus for determining fat content of tissue
First Claim
1. A tissue characterization sensor, comprising:
- a) a housing;
b) a source of optical energy mounted with the housing, disposed so as to deliver optical energy to tissue;
c) a plurality of detectors mounted with the housing at different locations, within a range of locations, relative to the source, disposed so as to detect energy scattered by the tissue in response to delivered optical energy;
d) a signal processor adapted to indicate fat thickness from the energy detected by each detector and the location of each detector relative to the location of the source of optical energy;
e) wherein the plurality of detectors comprises a mask mounted with the detectors and reducing the optical energy reaching each detector by an proportion increasing with increasing radial distance of each detector to the source.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for determining characteristics of tissue is disclosed. The method comprises supplying optical energy to a tissue and detecting at a plurality of locations consequent energy scattered by the tissue. Analysis of the scattered energy as taught herein provides information concerning the properties of the tissue, specifically information related to the fat and lean content and thickness of the tissue. The apparatus comprises a light source adapted to deliver optical energy to a tissue. A plurality of detectors can be mounted at different positions relative to the source to detect energy scattered by the tissue. A signal processor as taught herein can determine characteristics of the tissue from the signals from the detectors and locations of the detectors, specifically information related to the fat and lean content and thickness of the tissue.
82 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A tissue characterization sensor, comprising:
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a) a housing;
b) a source of optical energy mounted with the housing, disposed so as to deliver optical energy to tissue;
c) a plurality of detectors mounted with the housing at different locations, within a range of locations, relative to the source, disposed so as to detect energy scattered by the tissue in response to delivered optical energy;
d) a signal processor adapted to indicate fat thickness from the energy detected by each detector and the location of each detector relative to the location of the source of optical energy;
e) wherein the plurality of detectors comprises a mask mounted with the detectors and reducing the optical energy reaching each detector by an proportion increasing with increasing radial distance of each detector to the source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification