Non-invasive spectroscopy in radio / microwave frequency band

Abstract

An automated medical diagnostic system includes antennas, transmitter, receiver, and a processor-based device or system. Excitations signals are transmitted into bodily tissue at each of a plurality of discrete frequencies (e.g., steps of 1 MHz from 300 MHz to 2500 MHz) or unequal steps. The response signals are received and analyzed against the excitation signals at each of a number of the frequencies, for example determining gain/loss due to passage through bodily tissue. The results are analyzed for patterns indicative of a presence or absence of an abnormal condition, and results presented.

1 - 52 . (canceled) 
     
     
         53 . A sensor system, comprising:
 a device that includes at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna;   a transmitter coupled to the at least one transmit antenna, the transmitter is operable to generate a plurality of excitation signals at each of a plurality of wavelengths in at least one of a radio frequency band and/or a microwave frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the plurality of excitation signals can be transmitted by the at least one transmit antenna into an object;   a receiver coupled to the at least one receive antenna, the receiver is operable to receive a plurality of response signals detected by the at least one receive antenna that result from the transmission of the plurality of excitation signals by the at least one transit antenna into the object;   at least one processor;   and at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium that stores at least one of processor-executable instructions or data which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to:   for a sampling cycle,
 for each of a number of the plurality of wavelengths, determine a sampling difference between a respective excitation signal and a respective response signal at the respective wavelength; 
 for each of a number of the plurality of wavelengths, determine a sampling to baseline difference between the determined sampling difference and a respective baseline difference for the respective wavelength, the baseline difference represents a difference between a baseline excitation signal at the respective wavelength and a baseline response signal at the respective wavelength, each baseline response signal represents a respective response to the respective baseline excitation signal at the respective frequency; 
 compare at least some of the determined sampling to baseline differences to a defined pattern of differences; and 
 generate an indicator signal based on the comparison of at least some of the determined sampling to baseline differences to a defined pattern of differences; 
   an indicator coupled to the at least one processor and that receives the indicator signal from the at least one processor, the indicator is configured to produce at least one human perceptible notice upon receipt of the indicator signal.   
     
     
         54 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna have a spacing therebetween that is in a range of 0.1 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         55 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the device is a body worn device; and the at least one processor, the at least one nontransitory processor-readable medium, and the indicator are separate from the body worn device. 
     
     
         56 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna have different shapes from one another. 
     
     
         57 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna have different sizes from one another. 
     
     
         58 . The system of  claim 53 , wherein the wavelengths are in the radio frequency band. 
     
     
         59 . A sensor system, comprising:
 a device that includes at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna, the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna have different shapes from one another and/or the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna have different sizes from one another;   a transmitter coupled to the at least one transmit antenna, the transmitter is operable to generate a plurality of excitation signals at each of a plurality of wavelengths in at least one of a radio frequency band and/or a microwave frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the plurality of excitation signals can be transmitted by the at least one transmit antenna into an object; and   a receiver coupled to the at least one receive antenna, the receiver is operable to receive a plurality of response signals detected by the at least one receive antenna that result from the transmission of the plurality of excitation signals by the at least one transit antenna into the object.   
     
     
         60 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna have a spacing therebetween that is in a range of 0.1 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         61 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the device is a body worn device. 
     
     
         62 . The system of  claim 59 , wherein the wavelengths are in the radio frequency range.