# US 12,097,018 B2 · Measuring device and a method for microwave-based investigation

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 12,097,018 B2
- Document ID: US12097018B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/563,536
- Filed: 2019-09-06
- Published: 2019-12-26
- Granted: 2024-09-24
- Earliest claimed: 2008-06-02
- Assignees: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
- Applicants: Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
- Inventors: Martin Leibfritz
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12097018B2

## CPC

- A61B 5/0536: Impedance imaging, e.g. by tomography
- A61B 5/0507: using microwaves or terahertz waves
- A61B 5/682: {Mouth, e.g., oral cavity; tongue; Lips; Teeth}
- A61B 6/0435: {with means for imaging suspended breasts}
- A61B 6/502: {for diagnosis of breast, i.e. mammography}
- A61B 2562/143: for coupling microwaves
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

A measuring device comprising a microwave transmitter, a microwave receiver, at least one antenna, and a control device. The control device controls the microwave transmitter and the microwave receiver.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method, comprising:
affixing a first antenna to a surface of an object to be investigated, wherein the object to be investigated is a human breast;
positioning a second antenna and spaced distance from the first antenna and the human breast;
transmitting a microwave signal from the first antenna into the human breast, the human breast causing the microwave signal to scatter, thereby creating a scattered microwave signal;
receiving the scattered microwave signal by the second antenna;
moving the second antenna to another position that is a spaced distance from the first antenna and the human breast; thereafter
repeating said transmitting a microwave signal from the first antenna into the human breast and said receiving the scattered microwave signal by the second antenna; and
determining a microwave tomography of the human breast from the received scattered microwave signals.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are individual antennas or antenna arrays.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein further comprising moving the first antenna to at least one additional successive position relative to the human breast.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one additional successive position of the second antenna includes several additional successive positions relative to the human breast.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising adhesively affixing the first antenna to the surface of the human breast.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the first antenna is at least partially flexible.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, further comprising moving the first antenna to at least one successive position relative to the human breast.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one second antenna is positioned a spaced distance from the human breast by at least six wavelengths.