Monitoring System

Abstract

A heating and monitoring system is described having a radiometer to monitor temperature of internal tissue and or bodily fluids in a non-invasive way. The radiometer may comprise a multi-frequency radiometer to allow for taking a temperature reading at a desired depth within the tissue of a patient.

1 . A detector, comprising:
 a focused antenna configured to determine a condition of an internal structure;   a holding mechanism for holding the focused antenna to a surface;   a radiometer coupled to the focused antenna;   an output configured to couple the radiometer to a computer; and   a shielding enclosure configured to isolate at least the focused antenna from ambient radiation.   
     
     
         2 . The detector of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure further comprising a shielding material. 
     
     
         3 . The detector of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is the surface of an individual and wherein the internal structure is a kidney. 
     
     
         4 . The detector of  claim 3 , wherein the condition is the temperature of urine in a kidney. 
     
     
         5 . The detector of  claim 1 , wherein the internal structure is urine in a bladder. 
     
     
         6 . The detector of  claim 5 , wherein the condition is the temperature of urine in a bladder. 
     
     
         7 . The detector of  claim 1 , wherein the detector is configured to be coupled to a chair during use. 
     
     
         8 . The detector of  claim 1 , further comprising an analog to digital converter. 
     
     
         9 . A system comprising the detector of  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of microwave elements for heating a structure beyond the surface. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a control assembly configured to alternatingly activate the microwave elements, the control assembly controlling the active microwave heating elements at least in part in response to readings from the focused antenna. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , further comprising a cooling mechanism disposed adjacent the plurality of microwave elements for cooling the surface. 
     
     
         12 . A heating and monitoring system, comprising:
 an array of microwave antennas, wherein the array is configured to provide a focal area where energy emitted from each of the microwave antennas converges;   a controller configured to control the focused array of microwave antennas; and   a temperature monitoring device   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the focused array is configured to be placed on an individual, and wherein the focal area corresponds to the location of the bladder of the individual. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the temperature monitoring device is a focused antenna. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the focused antenna is configured to receive information correlating to the temperature of fluid in a kidney. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the focused antenna is configured to receive information correlating to the temperature of urine in a bladder. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the temperature monitoring device is configured to monitor the temperature of the skin located at the interface between the individual and the focused array. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the controller is configured to alter the output of the array of microwave antennas based on information provided by the temperature monitoring device. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the controller is configured to automatically shut-off output of the focused array if the information provided by the temperature monitoring device indicates a temperature above a desired threshold. 
     
     
         20 . A system for monitoring thermal movement, the system comprising:
 a heating assembly having a plurality of heat emitting elements for generating heat at a first location below a surface;   a monitoring assembly having at least one focused antenna for detecting temperature at a desired location below the surface; and   a control assembly in communication with the heating assembly and the monitoring assembly for controlling the heating assembly to apply thermal energy and for receiving information from the monitoring assembly to determine thermal energy at the desired location, the control assembly comprising a processor for adjusting the heating assembly responsive to information received from the monitoring assembly.