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US 8,939,912 B2Granted
Tissue heating and monitoring system with seat
AssigneeThermimage, Inc.
InventorsDouglas G. Turnquist, Brent W. Snow, Philip Eggers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system is described having a heating device with a focused antenna array, a chair, a cabinet, at least one temperature monitoring device, a cooling system, and a controller. The system may be used to heat and monitor internal tissue and/or fluid in an individual in a non-invasive way.
Claims28
A tissue heating and monitoring system, comprising:
- a heating assembly comprising an array of microwave antennas, configured to point at a focal area comprising a first deep tissue organ, and wherein the heating assembly is further configured to deliver heat energy to the first deep tissue organ;
- a first temperature monitoring device configured to sense a temperature of a surface of an individual's skin;
- a chair configured to accommodate the individual;
- a controller operably coupled to the chair and the heating assembly;
- and
- a second temperature monitoring device disposed in communication with the controller, wherein the second temperature monitoring device is attached to the chair, and wherein the second temperature monitoring device is configured to sense at least one of a temperature of a portion of the first deep tissue organ distinct from the focal area and a temperature of a second deep tissue organ by taking measurements at at least two distinct electromagnetic frequencies;
- wherein the second temperature monitoring device is configured to sense the temperature of the at least one of the portion of the first deep tissue organ distinct from the focal area and the second deep tissue organ by comparing a first energy level detected at a first frequency of the at least two distinct electromagnetic frequencies with a second energy level detected at a second frequency of the at least two distinct electromagnetic frequencies.
4 more elements
A diagnostic system comprising:
- a chair configured for sitting in by an individual;
- a heating assembly comprising an array of spaced apart microwave antennas, configured to point at a focal area comprising a first deep tissue organ, and wherein the heating assembly is further configured to deliver heat energy to the first deep tissue organ;
- a monitoring assembly comprising at least one temperature monitoring device, the monitoring assembly being remote from the heating assembly, wherein the at least one temperature monitoring device is configured to detect at least one of a portion of the first deep tissue organ distinct from the focal area and a temperature of a second deep tissue organ distinct from the first deep tissue organ, and wherein the at least one temperature monitoring device is configured to sense a temperature by taking measurements at at least two distinct electromagnetic frequencies;
- and
- a control assembly disposed in communication with the heating assembly and the monitoring assembly, wherein at least one of the heating assembly and the monitoring assembly is attached to the chair;
- wherein the at least one temperature monitoring device is configured to sense the temperature of the at least one of the portion of the first deep tissue organ distinct from the focal area and the second deep tissue organ by comparing a first energy level detected at a first frequency of the at least two distinct electromagnetic frequencies with a second energy level detected at a second frequency of the at least two distinct electromagnetic frequencies.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.