Radiometers and Related Devices and Methods

Abstract

Certain radiometer assemblies can include an antenna that is shielded within an enclosure, which can have an open end. The antenna can be used to receive signals from a patient via a matching layer that is positioned at the open end of the enclosure. In some assemblies, a modular unit may be provided that is configured for connection with an electrical shield having at least a portion of a radiometer therein.

1 . A modular unit configured for connection with an electrical shield having at least a portion of a radiometer therein, the modular unit comprising:
 a matching element that comprises a dielectric material, wherein the matching element is configured to couple electromagnetic energy into or out of an antenna;   a shield extension comprising an electrically shielding flexible material that encompasses and extends laterally outward from the matching element;   an adhesive layer attached to the shield extension, wherein the adhesive layer is configured to attach the shield extension to the skin of a patient; and   a connection interface that is configured to selectively couple the modular unit with an electrical shield.   
     
     
         2 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , wherein the matching element, the shield extension, the adhesive layer, and the connection interface are permanently attached to each other such that the modular unit can be attached to and removed from the electrical shield as a cohesive unit. 
     
     
         3 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , wherein the matching element extends upwardly relative to the shield extension such that at least a portion of the matching element can be received into the electrical shield when the shield extension is coupled to a lower end of the electrical shield. 
     
     
         4 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , wherein the connection interface comprises an outer edge of the matching element that is configured to frictionally engage an inner surface of the electrical shield when the modular unit is coupled with the electrical shield. 
     
     
         5 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , wherein the connection interface comprises a series of resilient fingers that are configured to grip a lower end of the electrical shield when the modular unit is coupled with the electrical shield. 
     
     
         6 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , wherein the matching element is coupled to a bolus that is configured to conform to a contour of the skin of a patient. 
     
     
         7 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of metamaterial. 
     
     
         8 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a conduction ring electrically coupled with the shield extension, wherein the conduction ring is configured to receive a lower end of the electrical shield when the modular unit is coupled with the electrical shield. 
     
     
         9 . The modular unit of  claim 8 , further comprising an electromagnetic interference gasket in electrical contact with the conduction ring, wherein the electromagnetic interference gasket is configured to be compressed between a portion of the conduction ring and a portion of the electrical shield when the disposable unit is coupled with the electrical shield. 
     
     
         10 . The modular unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source configured to provide power to a radiometer. 
     
     
         11 . A method of coupling a radiometer to a patient, the method comprising:
 providing at least a portion of a radiometer within an electrical shield that comprises a connection interface;   providing a modular unit that comprises a shield extension, a matching layer, and a connection interface; and   coupling the connection interface of the electrical shield with the connection interface of the modular unit so as to physically couple the modular unit with the electrical shield and so as to electrically couple the shield extension with the electrical shield.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the shield extension comprises a flexible material, the method further comprising arranging the flexible material to follow a contour of the skin of a patient. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the modular unit further comprises an adhesive layer attached to the shield extension, the method further comprising adhering the adhesive layer to the skin of the patient. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the connection interface of the electrical shield comprises an outer surface thereof, wherein the connection interface of the modular unit comprises a series of resilient fingers, and wherein the resilient fingers grip the outer surface of the electrical shield when the connection interfaces are coupled to each other.