Multi-Antenna RF Diagnostic Apparatus for Lung Fluid Assessment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical diagnostic technologies face challenges in accurately and non-invasively assessing cardiovascular function and fluid content in tissues, particularly in the lungs, using radio frequency (RF) based methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of diagnostic apparatus and methods utilizing multiple antennas positioned around the thorax to transmit and detect RF waves, allowing for multi-dimensional measurement of heart movement and assessment of fluid content in lungs by analyzing RF path characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF waves are transmitted through the body to assess cardiovascular function and fluid content, then diagnostic information is obtained, but measurement precision is reduced due to signal scattering and attenuation in biological tissues
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement task into multiple frequency segments, transmitting RF waves at different frequencies (e.g., 100 MHz, 300 MHz, 500 MHz) to probe different tissue depths and properties. This segmentation allows the system to overcome signal attenuation by using lower frequencies for deeper penetration and higher frequencies for more precise surface measurements, thereby improving overall measurement precision despite tissue scattering effects
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the RF signal parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase) to optimize measurement through different tissue types. By adjusting the frequency parameter, the system can penetrate varying tissue depths with appropriate signal characteristics, compensating for attenuation and scattering to maintain measurement precision in assessing fluid content and cardiovascular function
2Loss of information
If multiple antennas are positioned around the thorax to enable multi-dimensional measurement, then diagnostic information quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each antenna in the multi-antenna system is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting RF waves at various frequencies, receiving scattered signals, and serving as both transmitter and receiver at different time intervals. This universal design reduces the total number of components needed while maintaining multi-dimensional measurement capability, thereby improving information completeness without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic transmission and reception cycles where antennas alternate between transmitting and receiving modes. This periodic action allows comprehensive multi-dimensional data collection over time while simplifying the instantaneous system configuration, as not all antennas need to be actively transmitting or receiving at the same moment, thus managing device complexity while capturing complete cardiovascular function information
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 provides detailed diagnostic information on cardiovascular function and fluid accumulation in lungs, enabling effective monitoring and potential therapeutic interventions, such as pacing adjustments, based on real-time data.
Implementation Method 1
direct radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves from different, respective directions toward a heart in the body and to output RF signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from the heart
Implementation Method 2
output RF signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from the heart
Data Source
AI summary
Diagnostic apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, which are configured to be disposed at different, respective locations on a thorax of a living body so as to direct radio frequency (RF) electromagnetic waves from different, respective directions toward a heart in the body and to output RF signals responsively to the waves that are scattered from the heart. Processing circuitry is configured to process the RF signals over time so as to provide a multi-dimensional measurement of a movement of the heart.