Method and apparatus for determining conditions of biological tissues
US7347824B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 6, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/08
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method of determining characteristics of biological tissues in humans and animals. In particular, it relates to determining the characteristics of tissues such as the lungs and airways by introducing a sound to the tissue, and recording the sound. The invention further includes an apparatus capable of such measurement. In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of determining characteristics of biological tissue in situ, including: introducing a sound to the tissue at first position; detecting the sound at another position spaced from the first position after it has traveled through the tissue; calculating the velocity and attenuation of sound that has traveled through the tissue from the first position to another position; and correlating the velocity and attenuation of the detected sound to characteristics of the biological tissue.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.