Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for determining fat content of tissue

US6285904A · kind A · utility

60Cited by
7References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 27, 2000
Grant dateSep 4, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 27, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B5/0059
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for determining characteristics of tissue is disclosed. The method comprises supplying optical energy to a tissue and detecting at a plurality of locations consequent energy scattered by the tissue. Analysis of the scattered energy as taught herein provides information concerning the properties of the tissue, specifically information related to the fat and lean content and thickness of the tissue. The apparatus comprises a light source adapted to deliver optical energy to a tissue. A plurality of detectors can be mounted at different positions relative to the source to detect energy scattered by the tissue. A signal processor as taught herein can determine characteristics of the tissue from the signals from the detectors and locations of the detectors, specifically information related to the fat and lean content and thickness of the tissue.

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