Handheld medical microwave radiometer

US8447385B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• WELCH ALLYN, INC. · US

Inventors

• Fred Sterzer · Princeton, US
• Daniel D. Mawhinney · Livingston, US
• Laleh Rabieirad · Ithaca, US
• David E. Quinn · Auburn, US
• John A. Lane · Weedsport, US
• Matthew D. Mullin · Memphis, US
• Charles N. Stewart · Skaneateles, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 28, 2010
• Grant date: May 21, 2013
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61B2560/0223
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A microwave handheld radiometer for measuring subsurface tissue temperature of a subject includes a microwave antenna disposed relative to a handheld radiometer housing and adapted to electromagnetically couple to a skin surface of a subject, a circulator having a first circulator input and a second circulator input, wherein the first circulator input is electrically coupled to said antenna via a microwave feedline. A switch is electrically disposed between the antenna and an microwave feedline, said switch having a calibrate state and a measure state. A noise source, electrically coupled to the circulator, is being configured to provide a first source of thermal noise at a first temperature and a second source of thermal noise at a second temperature, wherein the noise source is switched between the first source and second source upon external command wherein a detector provides an output wherein surface temperature effects are corrected for the sub-surface measurement.