Patent · US Expired

Medical diagnostic microwave scanning apparatus

US4641659A · kind A · utility

144Cited by
8References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 19, 1982
Grant dateFeb 10, 1987
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 19, 2002

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S13/89
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Microwave apparatus for diagnosis of cancer of the breast includes a microwave transmitter and a microwave antenna for directing a microwave signal to the breast under examination, and a microwave receiver having amplitude and phase shift detectors for receiving of reflected microwave signals. A processor is connected to the receiver for processing the amplitude and phase information to detect and locate cancer in the breast. A matching plate having a dielectric constant substantially the same as normal breast tissue is located between and in engagement with the breast and antenna. The antenna engages and sweeps over the plane surface of the matching plate to eliminate any air gap in the transmission path. A display unit is connected to the processor to create a microwave image of cancer growth, if any.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.