Passive Microwave Thermography for Non-Invasive Metabolic Rate Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring basal metabolic rate are invasive, time-consuming, and struggle to accurately differentiate human body-generated noise from other noise sources, particularly in non-invasive passive microwave systems used for obesity and metabolic disease diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
A passive microwave system that utilizes protected frequency ranges to measure temperature gradients at varying radial depths within the human body, allowing for non-invasive, unobtrusive monitoring of metabolic responses to stimuli such as temperature changes, exercise, or ingestion of thermogenic substances, using directional antennas and noise-measuring channels to detect microwave radiation emitted by the body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If passive microwave systems are used for non-invasive temperature measurement, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in differentiating body-generated noise from other noise sources
Solution Approach 1:
The microwave frequency spectrum is segmented into multiple protected frequency ranges, each corresponding to different radial depths within the body. By measuring temperature gradients across multiple frequency channels, the system can differentiate body-generated thermal noise from external noise sources, improving measurement precision while maintaining non-invasive operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by comparing measured temperature gradients against expected physiological patterns and noise characteristics. This allows the system to distinguish between actual body temperature changes and noise artifacts, thereby improving measurement accuracy in a non-invasive manner
2Measurement precision
If current invasive methods are used for BMR measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to lengthy calibration and measurement procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurements at multiple protected frequency ranges to establish baseline temperature gradients before the actual BMR assessment. This preliminary action enables rapid differentiation of signal components during the measurement, allowing for accurate BMR determination in a fraction of the time required by traditional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement systems (such as respiratory gas analysis equipment requiring masks and tubes) with non-invasive passive microwave detection. This substitution eliminates the need for complex calibration procedures and lengthy setup times while maintaining measurement accuracy
3Measurement precision
If supply masks and inlet/outlet tubes are used for respiratory gas analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but object-generated harmful factors increase due to subject anxiety and adverse impacts on measurement
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces respiratory gas analysis equipment requiring masks and tubes with passive microwave detection equipment. This substitution eliminates the physical constraints and psychological stress associated with mask-wearing and tube insertion, while still enabling accurate metabolic rate measurement through non-invasive temperature gradient detection
Solution Approach 2:
The microwave system measures metabolic rate by detecting the body's own thermal radiation and temperature gradients without requiring the subject to perform any special actions or tolerate intrusive equipment. The body essentially serves itself as the measurement source, eliminating anxiety-inducing apparatus while maintaining measurement precision
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
Enables precise, short-term measurement of metabolic changes, facilitating the diagnosis of obesity and metabolic diseases by providing a non-invasive, efficient method for assessing energy metabolism and weight management strategies tailored to individual responses.
Implementation Method 1
passive microwave receiver having a plurality of noise-measuring channels for detecting microwave radiation from a human body
Implementation Method 2
directional antennas and noise-measuring channels to detect microwave radiation emitted by the body
Data Source
AI summary
A passive microwave thermography apparatus uses passive microwave antennas designed for operation, for example, at WARC protected frequencies of 1.400 to 1.427 GHz and 2.690 to 2.70 GHz (for core body gradient temperature measurement) and 10.68 to 10.700 GHz or higher microwave frequency (for surface body gradient temperature measurement) and a related directional antenna or antenna array to measure microwave radiation emanating from an animal, especially, a human body. The antennae may be radially directed toward a point within or on the surface of a human body for comparison with known temperature distribution data for that point and a given ambient temperature. Each frequency band may provide a plurality of adjacent noise measuring channels for measuring microwave noise naturally emitted by the human body. The apparatus measures short-term changes in, for example, core and body surface temperatures to establish a basal metabolic rate. Changes in core body temperature may be stimulated by the administration of food or certain organic and drug-related substances or stress to induce a change in basal metabolic rate over time. These changes correlate directly with a human subject's metabolism rate at rest and under certain dietary constraints and can be used to determine courses of treatment for obesity, metabolic disease, and other disorders. The apparatus can also be used to remotely monitor patients and subjects without physical contact.