# US 7,745,791 B2 · Detecting apparatus, and detecting method

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

- Number: US 7,745,791 B2
- Document ID: US7745791B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/429,939
- Filed: 2009-04-24
- Published: 2009-09-24
- Granted: 2010-06-29
- Earliest claimed: 2006-04-11
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Shintaro Kasai; Toshihiko Ouchi; Takeaki Itsuji
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7745791B2

## CPC

- G01N 21/3581: using far infrared light; using Terahertz radiation
- G01N 21/03: Cuvette constructions
- G01N 21/3577: for analysing liquids, e.g. polluted water
- G01N 22/00: Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more (G01N3/00 - G01N17/00, G01N24/00 take precedence)
- G01N 2021/0346: {Capillary cells; Microcells}
- G01N 2021/035: {Supports for sample drops}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

A detecting apparatus for detecting information of a liquid object or sample includes a transmission path, a THz wave supplying unit, a THz wave detecting unit, and an infiltrative holding member for infiltration and holding of a liquid object. The supplying unit supplies an electromagnetic wave in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 30 THz to the transmission path. The detecting unit detects the THz wave transmitted through the transmission path. The infiltrative holding member is set at a location containing at least a portion in which an electric field distribution of the THz wave propagating along the transmission path extends.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus comprising:
a transmission line including a substrate and a conductor provided on the substrate;
an electromagnetic-wave supplying unit for supplying an electromagnetic wave in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 30 THz to the transmission line;
an electromagnetic-wave detecting unit for detecting the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the transmission line; and
an infiltrative holding member provided on the conductor for infiltration and holding of a liquid object,
wherein a shape of the infiltrative holding member is asymmetrical with respect to the conductor and the infiltrative holding member is disposed such that an electric field distribution of the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the transmission line is substantially symmetrical with respect to the conductor.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the infiltrative holding member comprises one of a porous material, a fibrous material and a needle structure.

### Claim 3

A device comprising:
a transmission line including a substrate having a hole and a conductor provided on the substrate for transmitting an electromagnetic wave in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 30 THz; and
an infiltrative holding member provided in the hole for infiltration and holding of a liquid object;
wherein the conductor is provided on the infiltrative holding member.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device according to claim 3, wherein a size of the hole is larger than a size of the infiltrative holding member and the liquid object can be supplied from a side surface of the infiltrative holding member.

### Claim 5

A detecting apparatus for detecting information of a liquid object, the detecting apparatus comprising:
a substrate;
a transmission line;
an electromagnetic-wave supplying unit for supplying an electromagnetic wave in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 30 THz to the transmission line;
an electromagnetic-wave detecting unit for detecting the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the transmission line;
an infiltrative holding member provided on the transmission line for infiltration and holding of the liquid object; and
a non-infiltrative member which is incapable of infiltrating the liquid object,
wherein the infiltrative holding member is set at a location containing at least a portion in which an electric field distribution of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the transmission line extends,
wherein the non-infiltrative member is set partly or entirely surrounding the infiltrative holding member,
wherein the transmission line is a microstrip line made of a metal, and
wherein an optical constant of the non-infiltrative member for the THz wave transmitted through the transmission line is approximately equal to that of the infiltrative holding member.

### Claim 6

A device comprising:
a transmission line including a substrate and a conductor provided on the substrate for transmitting an electromagnetic wave in a frequency range between 30 GHz and 30 THz;
an infiltrative holding member provided on the conductor for infiltrating and holding a liquid object.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, wherein the infiltrative holding member comprises one of polypropylene, polysulfone, nylon and polyethersulfone.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, wherein the non-infiltrative member is set partly or entirely surrounding the infiltrative holding member at a position perpendicular to the electromagnetic wave transmitted through the transmission line and at a position where the liquid object is infiltrated.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, further comprising non-infiltrative members which are incapable of infiltrating the liquid object, wherein the transmission line is disposed between the non-infiltrative members provided on the substrate.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The device according to claim 6, further comprising a non-infiltrative member which is incapable of infiltrating the liquid object set partly or entirely surrounding the infiltrative holding member,
wherein a spacing is present between the infiltrative holding member and the non-infiltrative member.
