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 three antennas, at least one of the at least three antennas functions as a transmit antenna and at least one of the at least three antennas functions as a receive antenna;   a transmitter coupled to the transmit antenna, the transmitter is operable to generate excitation signals at 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 excitation signals have frequencies that are sufficient to allow the excitation signals to penetrate into an object;   a receiver coupled to the receive antenna, the receiver is operable to receive response signals detected by the receive antenna that result from the transmission of the excitation signals by the transit antenna into the object;   the at least three antennas have different shapes from one another.   
     
     
         54 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the transmit antenna and the receive antenna have a spacing therebetween that is in a range of 0.1 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         55 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the device is a body worn device. 
     
     
         56 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least three antennas have different sizes from one another. 
     
     
         57 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the wavelengths are in the radio frequency band. 
     
     
         58 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , where the sensor system is configured to detect at least one of glucose, blood alcohol, oxygen, blood pressure, pulse, or blood gas. 
     
     
         59 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the transmit antenna and the receive antennas are disposed side-by-side with parallel longitudinal axes, and the transmit antenna and the receive antenna have parallel sides. 
     
     
         60 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , wherein the at least three antennas are disposed on a non-planar surface. 
     
     
         61 . The sensor system of  claim 53 , where the frequencies are between 0.3 GHz to 2.5 GHz. 
     
     
         62 . A sensor system, comprising:
 a device including at least three antennas, at least one of the three antennas functions as a transmit antenna and at least one of the three antennas functions as   a receive antenna;   a transmitter coupled to the transmit antenna, the transmitter is operable to generate an excitation signal at a wavelength in a radio frequency band or a microwave frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum, and the excitation signal has a frequency that is sufficient to allow the excitation signal to penetrate into an object;   a receiver coupled to the receive antenna, the receiver is operable to receive a response signal detected by the receive antenna that results from the transmission of the excitation signal by the transmit antenna into the object;   the at least three antennas have different shapes from one another.   
     
     
         63 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , wherein the transmit antenna and the receive antenna have a spacing therebetween that is in a range of 0.1 mm to 50 mm. 
     
     
         64 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , wherein the device is a body worn device. 
     
     
         65 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , wherein the wavelength is in the radio frequency band. 
     
     
         66 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , where the sensor system is configured to detect at least one of glucose, blood alcohol, oxygen, blood pressure, pulse, or blood gas. 
     
     
         67 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , wherein the transmit antenna and the receive antennas are disposed side-by-side with parallel longitudinal axes, and the transmit antenna and the receive antenna have parallel sides. 
     
     
         68 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , wherein the at least three antennas are disposed on a non-planar surface. 
     
     
         69 . The sensor system of  claim 62 , where the frequency is between 0.3 GHz to 2.5 GHz.