Detection of an analyte using different combinations of detector elements that can transmit or receive

Abstract

A method of detection of an analyte includes implementing a scan routine using a detector array that is electrically connected to a transmit circuit and electrically connected to a receive circuit, the detector array having at least three detector elements. In a first scan, a first combination of the detector elements is used to transmit a first transmit signal that is in a radio or microwave frequency or visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum into a target containing at least one analyte of interest and used to detect a response resulting from transmission of the first transmit signal into the target. In a second scan, a second combination of the detector elements, different from the first combination, is used to transmit a second transmit signal that is in a radio or microwave frequency or visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum into the target and is used to detect a response resulting from transmission of the second transmit signal into the target.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . An analyte sensor system, comprising:
 a detector array having at least three antenna elements each of which is configured to emit and receive electromagnetic waves;   a transmit circuit that is configured to generate at least one transmit signal in a radio or microwave frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum to be transmitted into a target containing an analyte, the transmit circuit is selectively electrically connectable to any one or more of the at least three antenna elements whereby any one or more of the at least three antenna elements that are electrically connected to the transmit circuit can function as a transmit antenna;   a receive circuit that is selectively electrically connectable to any one or more of the at least three antenna elements whereby any one or more of the at least three antenna elements that are electrically connected to the receive circuit can function as a receive antenna, the receive circuit is configured to receive a response detected by the one or more of the at least three antenna elements the receive circuit is electrically connected to resulting from transmission of the at least one transmit signal into the target containing the analyte.   
     
     
         28 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , further comprising a controller that controls electrical connection of the transmit circuit to any one or more of the at least three antenna elements and that controls electrical connection of the receive circuit to any one more of the at least three antenna elements. 
     
     
         29 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least three antenna elements have geometries that differ from one another. 
     
     
         30 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , comprising at least six of the antenna elements, and the detector array does not exceed 30.0 mm by 30.0 mm. 
     
     
         31 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , wherein the at least three elements are spaced apart from one another a distance of about 1.0 mm to about 50 mm. 
     
     
         32 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 a sensor housing, the detector array is attached to the sensor housing, the transmit circuit is disposed in the sensor housing, and the receive circuit is disposed in the sensor housing; and   a battery disposed in the sensor housing, the battery providing electrical power to the transmit circuit and the receive circuit.   
     
     
         33 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 32 , wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         34 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , wherein the target is human tissue, animal tissue, plant tissue, an inanimate object, soil, a fluid, genetic material, or a microbe. 
     
     
         35 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , wherein the analyte comprises glucose, alcohol, white blood cells, or luteinizing hormone. 
     
     
         36 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 27 , wherein the radio or microwave frequency range is between about 10 kHz to about 100 GHz. 
     
     
         37 . An analyte sensor system, comprising:
 a detector array having at least three antenna elements, and the at least three antenna elements are spaced apart from one another a distance of about 1.0 mm to about 50 mm;   a transmit circuit that is configured to generate at least one transmit signal in a radio or microwave frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum to be transmitted into a target containing an analyte, the transmit circuit is selectively electrically connectable to any one or more of the at least three antenna elements;   a receive circuit that is selectively electrically connectable to any one or more of the at least three antenna elements, the receive circuit is configured to receive a response detected by the one or more of the at least three antenna elements the receive circuit is electrically connected to resulting from transmission of the at least one transmit signal into the target containing the analyte.   
     
     
         38 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , further comprising a controller that controls electrical connection of the transmit circuit to any one or more of the at least three antenna elements and that controls electrical connection of the receive circuit to any one more of the at least three antenna elements. 
     
     
         39 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , wherein the at least three antenna elements have geometries that differ from one another. 
     
     
         40 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , comprising at least six of the antenna elements, and the detector array does not exceed 30.0 mm by 30.0 mm. 
     
     
         41 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , further comprising:
 a sensor housing, the detector array is attached to the sensor housing, the transmit circuit is disposed in the sensor housing, and the receive circuit is disposed in the sensor housing; and   a battery disposed in the sensor housing, the battery providing electrical power to the transmit circuit and the receive circuit.   
     
     
         42 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 41 , wherein the battery is rechargeable. 
     
     
         43 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , wherein the target is human tissue, animal tissue, plant tissue, an inanimate object, soil, a fluid, genetic material, or a microbe. 
     
     
         44 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , wherein the analyte comprises glucose, alcohol, white blood cells, or luteinizing hormone. 
     
     
         45 . The analyte sensor system of  claim 37 , wherein the radio or microwave frequency range is between about 10 kHz to about 100 GHz.