Non-invasive scanning apparatuses
First Claim
1. A sample scanning and analysis system comprising:
- a sample module for holding a sample to be scanned;
a scanner module for scanning said sample, including a transmitter for transmitting a series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals, each signal of said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals having a transmitted amplitude over a plurality of sample points within a range of distinct frequencies, and a receiver for receiving said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals as said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals are reflected from or transmitted through said sample, and generating a series of spectral data sets representing at least a scanned amplitude of each signal of said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals over said plurality of sample points, said scanner module including a transmitter node having a first dipole antenna connected to said transmitter and a receiver node having a second dipole antenna connected to said receiver, said scanner module including a base formed to hold said transmitter node and said receiver node close to or in contact with said sample; and
an analyzer module including a memory and a processor for generating one or more composite spectrograms from said series of spectral data sets including each signal in said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals, analyzing said composite spectrograms to recognize one or more patterns within said composite spectrograms directly representing one or more characteristics of said sample, and making a determination regarding said characteristics based on said patterns.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for non-invasively scanning and analyzing one or more characteristics of a sample utilizing electromagnetic radiation are described. More particularly, the systems and methods utilize an electromagnetic radiation source connected to a transmitter and an analyzer connected to a receiver. A sample to be analyzed is placed between the transmitter and receiver in a variety of different manners and a frequency sweep of electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the sample to create a series of spectral data sets that are used to create one or more composite spectrograms, which are then analyzed to determine one or more characteristics of the sample. A magnetic field can alternatively be applied around the transmitter, receiver and sample to enhance some characteristic analysis applications. Samples include inert and living items, and the characteristics include a wide variety of different applications.
87 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A sample scanning and analysis system comprising:
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a sample module for holding a sample to be scanned; a scanner module for scanning said sample, including a transmitter for transmitting a series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals, each signal of said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals having a transmitted amplitude over a plurality of sample points within a range of distinct frequencies, and a receiver for receiving said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals as said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals are reflected from or transmitted through said sample, and generating a series of spectral data sets representing at least a scanned amplitude of each signal of said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals over said plurality of sample points, said scanner module including a transmitter node having a first dipole antenna connected to said transmitter and a receiver node having a second dipole antenna connected to said receiver, said scanner module including a base formed to hold said transmitter node and said receiver node close to or in contact with said sample; and an analyzer module including a memory and a processor for generating one or more composite spectrograms from said series of spectral data sets including each signal in said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals, analyzing said composite spectrograms to recognize one or more patterns within said composite spectrograms directly representing one or more characteristics of said sample, and making a determination regarding said characteristics based on said patterns. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for determining a characteristic of a sample, comprising:
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placing said sample in a sample holder; scanning said sample with a scanner module, wherein said scanner module includes a transmitter for transmitting a series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals, each signal in said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals having a transmitted amplitude over a plurality of sample points within a range of distinct frequencies, and a receiver for receiving said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals as said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals are reflected from or transmitted through said sample; generating a series of spectral data sets representing at least a scanned amplitude of each signal in said series of electromagnetic signals over said plurality of sample points, said scanner module including a transmitter node having a first dipole antenna connected to said transmitter and a receiver node having a second dipole antenna connected to said receiver, said scanner module including a base formed to hold said transmitter node and said receiver node close to or in contact with said sample; determining said characteristic of said sample with an analyzer module, wherein said analyzer module includes a memory and a processor for generating one or more composite spectrograms from said series of spectral data sets including each signal in said series of separately transmitted electromagnetic signals; analyzing said composite spectrograms to recognize one or more patterns within said composite spectrograms directly representing said characteristic of said sample; and making a determination regarding said characteristic based on said patterns. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification