Image of sample using terahertz time domain spectroscopy in reflection mode to identify in a first material like normal breast tissue a second material like cancerous tissue by evaluating the phase change at the interface between the sample and a window like a quartz window, against which the sample is pressed
US7612341B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 28, 2005 |
| Grant date | Nov 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 28, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/4795
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method of investigating a sample (breast tissue) (27), the sample comprising at least a first material (normal breast tissue) in order to determine they presence of at least one further material (cancerous tissue), the method comprising the steps of: Irradiating the sample with electromagnetic radiation in the range from 25 GHz to 100 THz; Detecting radiation reflected from the sample; Determining a parameter related to the amplitude of the radiation, which is reflected from the sample, in the time domain; Analyzing the parameter derived in step (c) in order to determine if the sample further comprises the at least one further material wherein the irradiating and reflected radiation passes through a (z-cut quartz) window member (43) having a refractive index that falls between the refractive indices of the at least first and at least one further materials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.