Non-intrusive oxygen sensing device

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 wearable oxygen sensor system, comprising:
 a device that includes at least one transmit antenna and at least one receive antenna, the second antenna spaced laterally with respect to the first antenna;   a transmitter coupled to the at least one transmit antenna, the transmitter is operable to generate an excitation signal at a wavelength in a radio frequency range in the electromagnetic spectrum, and the excitation signal can be transmitted by the at least one transmit antenna into skin or a dermis layer; and   a receiver coupled to the at least one receive antenna, the receiver is operable to receive a response signal detected by the at least one receive antenna that results from the transmission of the excitation signal by the at least one transit antenna into the skin or the dermis layer,   wherein the wearable oxygen sensor system is configured to detect an oxygen level based on the response signal, and   wherein the wearable oxygen sensor system is configured so that the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna are not in direct contact with the skin or the dermis layer.   
     
     
         54 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna are configured to be adjacent or proximate to the skin or the dermis layer. 
     
     
         55 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna are configured to be positioned on a same side of the skin or the dermis layer. 
     
     
         56 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the transmitter is configured to generate a plurality of the excitation signals at a plurality of discrete frequencies in equal steps or unequal steps from a first frequency of approximately 300 MHz to a second frequency. 
     
     
         57 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , further comprising a processor and memory, and the processor and the memory are coupled to the transmitter and the receiver and configured to process the response signal into the oxygen level. 
     
     
         58 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 57 , further comprising at least one of a visual indicator, a display, or an aural or haptic indicator. 
     
     
         59 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the wearable oxygen sensor system is communicatively coupled to a separate or distinct processor-based device or system, wherein the separate or distinct processor-based device or system is configured to process the response signal into the oxygen level. 
     
     
         60 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 59 , wherein the separate or distinct processor-based device or system is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a computer. 
     
     
         61 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein 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. 
     
     
         62 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 61 , wherein a shape of the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna are each selected from the group consisting of a coil antenna, a dipole antenna, a strip of metal, or a slot antenna. 
     
     
         63 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 62 , wherein the response signal returns along a principal axis or node of the at least one transmit antenna and/or the at least one receive antenna. 
     
     
         64 . The wearable oxygen sensor 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. 
     
     
         65 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 64 , wherein the spacing is in the range of 1 mm to 20 mm. 
     
     
         66 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least one transmit antenna and the at least one receive antenna are electromagnetically isolated from direct communications with each other. 
     
     
         67 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , further comprising a housing, wherein the at least one transmit antenna is positioned to transmit the excitation signal through the housing. 
     
     
         68 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the device is a wearable device. 
     
     
         69 . The wearable oxygen sensor system of  claim 53 , further comprising a battery electrically connected to the transmitter and the receiver. 
     
     
         70 . A method of non-intrusively detecting an oxygen level in a person, comprising:
 transmitting a signal that has a frequency in a radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum into the person from at least one transmit antenna that is not in direct contact with the person;   detecting, using at least one receive antenna, a response signal that results from transmitting the signal into the person, the response signal has a frequency in the radio frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum;   detecting an oxygen level of the person based on the detected response signal.