Method and system for radiofrequency (RF) tissue(s) monitoring

A system for estimation at least one dielectric property of tissue of a patient, comprising:

• at least one internal probe for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal, the at least one internal probe is set to be mounted on an elongated guiding element set for insertion via the pharynx into a tract of a patient, the at least one internal probe and elongated guiding element are configured to be directly inserted into the tract independently of another guiding device;
• at least one external probe which is set to be positioned in a location outside the body for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal;
• a processing unit configured to analyze an RF signal transmitted between at least one transducer of the at least one internal probe and at least one transducer of the at least one external probe, propagating via at least one tissue of the patient between walls of the tract and a skin layer of the patient, to estimate at least one dielectric property of the at least one tissue;
• a mechanical ventilation machine interface for electrical coupling to a mechanical ventilation machine ventilating the patient, the processing unit performing a calibration of RF signals denoting sensed ventilation patterns based on patient ventilation parameters received from the mechanical ventilation machine, the processing unit analyzing the calibrated RF signals for changes in patient ventilation patterns;
• wherein the processing unit analyzes the RF signal to detect excess stomach acid in an esophagus of the patient;
• wherein the RF signal is unsuitable for generating anatomical images of the at least one tissues.

A method for estimating at least one biological parameter of tissue of a patient, comprising:

• positioning at least one internal probe configured for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal, via the pharynx into a tract of a patient, the at least one internal probe is set for insertion and retraction from the tract using an elongated guiding element, the at least one internal probe and elongated guiding element are configured to be directly inserted into the tract independently of another guiding device;
• positioning at least one external probe outside the body of the patient in proximity to a skin layer of the patient, the at least one external probe configured for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal;
• propagating the RF signal via at least one tissue between at least one transducer of the at least one internal probe and at least one transducer of the at least one external probe, the RF signal propagating via at least one tissue of the patient between walls of the tract and the skin layer of the patient;
• analyzing the propagated RF signal to estimate at least one biological parameter of the at least one tissue;
• and
• outputting the at least one biological parameter;
• wherein the RF signal is unsuitable for generating anatomical images of the at least one tissues;
• wherein the at least one biological parameter comprises at least one ventilation parameter of the at least one tissue, the method further comprising adjusting a ventilation machine based on the at least one measured ventilation parameter, to reduce or prevent ventilation induced lung injury.

A method for monitoring a mechanically ventilated patient, comprising:

• positioning at least one internal probe within a tract of a patient via the pharynx, using an elongated guiding element, the at least one internal probe configured for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal, the at least one internal probe and elongated guiding element are configured to be directly inserted into the tract independently of another guiding device;
• positioning at least one external probe in proximity to a skin layer of the patient, the at least one external probe configured for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal;
• receiving applied ventilation pattern signals from a ventilation analysis unit coupled to a mechanical ventilation machine mechanically ventilating the patient;
• correlating between the applied ventilation pattern signals and an RF signal propagated via at least one tissue between at least one transducer of the at least one internal probe and at least one transducer of the at least one external probe;
• analyzing the correlated signal for monitoring at least one ventilation parameter of the patient;
• and
• outputting the at least one ventilation parameter.

A system for estimating at least one ventilation parameter of a mechanically ventilated patient, comprising:

• at least one internal probe set for insertion into a tract of a patient via the pharynx, the at least one internal probe is set to be mounted on a elongated guiding element, the at least one internal probe configured for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal, the at least one internal probe and elongated guiding element are configured to be directly inserted into the tract independently of another guiding device;
• at least one external probe which is set to be mounted in an external location for receiving a propagated RF signal, the at least one external probe configured for at least one of transmitting and receiving an RF signal;
• a ventilation analysis unit for receiving applied ventilation pattern signals of a mechanical ventilation machine mechanically ventilating the patient;
• a processing unit which analyzes a correlation between the applied ventilation pattern signals and an RF signal propagated via at least one tissue between at least one transducer of the at least one internal probe and at least one transducer of the at least one external probe, for monitoring at least one ventilation parameter of the patient;
• and
• an output unit which outputs the at least one ventilation parameter.