Microwave Radiometry for Deep Tissue Temperature Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining tissue temperature, especially at specified depths or locations, are invasive and pose risks, or they are non-invasive but struggle to accurately measure temperatures at specific locations or depths within tissues like the brain.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a sensor antenna with a measurement aperture and a skin temperature sensor to generate signals, which are received by a radiometer. The system calculates the target tissue temperature using the equation Ttarget=Tskin+(Taverage−Tskin)*c, where Ttarget is the target tissue temperature, Tskin is the skin temperature, Taverage is the average temperature, and c is a constant determined experimentally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If invasive methods are used to measure tissue temperature, then measurement precision is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to increased risks and complications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microwave radiation as an intermediary to measure deep tissue temperature without direct contact with the tissue. The microwave radiometer detects thermal radiation emitted by deep tissues (such as brain tissue) through the skull, allowing temperature measurement at the skin surface that reflects deep tissue temperature. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for invasive probes while maintaining measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/invasive temperature measurement systems with a microwave-based electromagnetic detection system. Instead of physically inserting temperature probes into tissues, the system uses microwave radiometry to detect thermal emissions from deep tissues, substituting a non-contact electromagnetic measurement approach for traditional mechanical insertion methods.
2Reliability
If non-invasive methods are used to measure tissue temperature, then reliability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to ascertain temperature at specified locations or depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using multiple microwave radiometer sensors positioned at different locations on the skin surface, each measuring temperature characteristics of specific underlying tissue regions. The system also employs multiple frequencies of microwave radiation, as different frequencies penetrate to different depths and provide information about different tissue layers, thereby achieving localized deep tissue temperature measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the dimension of microwave frequency to the measurement process. By using multiple frequencies (different penetration depths), the system can distinguish between temperatures at different tissue depths. The relationship between frequency, penetration depth, and temperature measurement creates a multi-dimensional measurement space that enables depth-resolved temperature assessment without physical depth penetration.
3Ease of operation
If surface temperature measurement is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because surface temperature differs from deep tissue temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses microwave radiation as an intermediary that can penetrate through the skull and skin to directly detect thermal emissions from deep brain tissue. The microwave radiometer measures the microwave radiation emitted by deep tissues, which carries temperature information from the deep tissue source rather than just surface temperature, thereby bridging the gap between easy surface measurement and deep tissue temperature accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for non-invasive, accurate measurement of tissue temperature at specific depths or locations, reducing risks associated with invasive methods and overcoming the limitations of existing non-invasive techniques.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, via the sensor antenna, a plurality of microwave emissions from a measurement volume of tissues
Implementation Method 2
detecting, via the skin temperature sensor, a patient's skin temperature
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for measuring a target tissue temperature is provided. The sensor antenna may include an outside and a contact side. A sensor antenna measurement aperture may be disposed on the contact side. The sensor antenna measurement aperture may be configured to generate a first signal. A skin temperature sensor may be disposed on the contact side and configured to generate a second signal. A radiometer may be configured to receive the first signal and the second signal.