A method of detecting a change (that is, an increase or a decrease) in the level of fluid in tissue in a first area of a body includes the steps of: applying electromagnetic energy, preferably in the frequency range of approximately 300 MHz to approximately 30 GHz, to a first volume of the body; measuring a resultant or returned signal; comparing the signal to a reference signal to determine if the fluid level in the tissue has changed. In one embodiment, the method detects changes in the level of fluid in tissue of a body by applying electromagnetic energy to a first volume of the body over a period of time (for example, using an antenna or antennae); measuring a resultant signal or a signal returned from the tissue; and comparing the signal to a reference signal to determine if a level of fluid in the tissue has changed during the period of time.

Detection of fluids in tissue

Tissue sensors house one or more sensor elements. Each element has a housing mounted substrate and a superstrate with a planar antenna between. A transitional periphery (TP) of a superstrate outer surface interconnects a base to a plateau. At least some of the TP has a generally smooth transition. Plural elements are spaced by the housing. Alternately, the superstrate TP is flat, the housing extends to the outer superstrate surface and a shield surrounds the element. The housing is flush with or recessed below the superstrate and defines a TP between the housing and superstrate. A method converts a reference signal to complex form; plots it in a complex plane as a reference point (RP); converts a measurement signal to complex form; plots it in the complex plane as a measurement point (MP); determine a complex distance between the MP and the RP; and compares complex distance to a threshold.

Electromagnetic sensors for biological tissue applications and methods for their use

A wearable monitoring apparatus for monitoring at least one biological parameter of an internal tissue of an ambulatory user. Said wearable monitoring apparatus comprises at least one transducer configured for delivering electromagnetic (EM) radiation to said internal tissue and intercepting a reflection of said EM radiation said reform in a plurality of transmission sessions during at least 24 hours, a processing unit configured for analyzing respective said reflection and identifying a change in said at least one biological parameter accordingly, a reporting unit configured for generating a report according to said change, and a housing for containing said at least one transducer, said reporting unit, and said processing unit, said housing being configured for being disposed on said body of said ambulatory user.

Method, system and apparatus for using electromagnetic radiation for monitoring a tissue of a user

A method for detecting an incipient tumor in living tissue such as that of a human breast in accordance with differences in relative dielectric characteristics. A generator produces a non-ionizing electromagnetic input wave of preselected frequency, usually exceeding three gigahertz, and that input wave is used to illuminate the living tissue, being effectively focused into a small, discrete volume within the tissue to develop a non-ionizing electromagnetic wave at that position. The illumination location is moved over a portion of the living tissue in a predetermined scanning pattern. Scattered signal returns collected from the living tissue are collected to develop a scatter return signal. The scatter return signal is employed to detect any anomaly, caused by differences in relative dielectric characteristics, that maybe indicative of the presence of a tumor in the scanned living tissue.

Breast cancer detection, imaging and screening by electromagnetic millimeter waves

A method and apparatus is disclosed for estimating brine water conductivity in a multiphase mixture of brine water and other substances by combining measured mixture permittivity and conductivity with a known or derived relationship between brine water conductivity and brine water permittivity. The mixture permittivity and conductivity are measured using an open-ended coaxial probe or other probes at microwave frequencies. A number of applications for the brine water conductivity estimate are disclosed including making salinity corrections of a dual energy flow meter.

Methods and apparatus for estimating on-line water conductivity of multiphase mixtures

A method and apparatus for determining the water content of crude oil in a pipeline is disclosed. The device consists of S-band tarnsmitting and receiving antennas, and X-band transmitting and receiving antennas. These are used to determine the complex dielectric constant of the fluid in a pipeline. Water salinity and an adjustment to the mixing formula are calculated using X-band and S-band sidewall links. The overall water content of the pipeline can then be determined by using as S-band main link that transmits a wave through a representative portion of the entire pipeline.

Microwave system for monitoring water content in a petroleum pipeline

A method and apparatus measures dielectric properties over a broad range of frequencies. The functions of various resistivity and dielectric constant measuring devices such as logging tools are combined in a single tool. A measuring tool includes novel transmitting and receiving antennas. Electromagnetic energy flows to a transmitting antenna. A stripline adapter permits transmission to a stripline having a metallic central strip. A strip face is bent at approximately right angles, and has a length that is compatible with the desired frequency coverage. A ground plane extends from the stripline adapter to the right angle bend, and a void exists between the center strip and the ground plane. A dielectric is positioned to nearly fill the void. The antennas are positioned so that the strip face lies flush with the tool face, to permit electromagnetic energy to be transmitted into and out of the material to be analyzed. An enclosure comprised of four metallic walls surrounds the stipline, and is in electrical contact with the ground plane and the stripline adapter. The invention permits an analysis of the fluids in the material as well.

Method and apparatus for broadband measurement of dielectric properties

A method and apparatus is described for determining petrophysical properties of porous media by the use of light transmission through the media. Specifically, by using a highly collimated light source, preferably a laser, the permeability, grain size, wettability, porosity and clay swelling behavior of a sample can be determined on the scale of millimeters. A calibration curve or function is first established to correlate light transmission through a slab of sandstone on the order of 5 to 10 mm under known conditions. This curved is then used to determine unknown conditions by measuring light transmission and comparing the values to those on the curve. Other applications for the phenomenon of light transmission through porous media are disclosed whereby conditions in a flowing stream of liquid can be monitored by use of light transmission. Specifically, changes in the refractive index and immiscible contamination can be detected. Finally, the phenomenon described can be used to model subterranean hydrocarbon bearing reservoirs, particularly fluid flow at different points in the reservoir, using light rather than hydraulic flows to simulate fluid flow patterns.

Method and apparatus for imaging porous media and method for fabricating novel optical materials

A method and apparatus for determining the interface between two materials having different dielectric properties, especially in determining the thickness of a hydrocarbon layer on ground water, is disclosed. The apparatus consists of an air-filled, cased surveillance well in which a logging tool is raised and lowered. The logging tool contains an electromagnetic receiving antenna and two transmitting antennas located above and below the receiving antenna. A first wave and a second wave are transmitted from the transmitting antennas. The first and second waves are offset 180° to produce "sum" and "delta" signals using a 1/2° hybrid. Alternatively, a single wave can be transmitted from a central transmitting antenna to receiving antennas located above and below the transmitting antenna. The received signals are then phase shifted 180° using a 180° hybrid to produce sum and delta signals. As the tool is raised and lowered in the well bore, changes in the sum and delta signals will be observed when an interface is passed. A logging tool for use in petroleum production and exploration wells is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for interface location determination

A sample accommodator for the measurement of dielectric properties includes a conductive strip having two planar surfaces, and two ground planes, one parallel to each of the planar surfaces of the conductive strip. At each end, the strip passes through but is electrically isolated from an endplate which is electrically and physically connected to each ground plane and which maintains the relative positions of the ground planes. Dielectric properties are measured by placing a sample between each face of the strip and the ground plane parallel to it.

Bibhas R. De

Papers

Microwave system for monitoring water content in a petroleum pipeline

Method and apparatus for broadband measurement of dielectric properties

Method and apparatus for imaging porous media and method for fabricating novel optical materials

Method and apparatus for interface location determination

Sample accommodator and method for the measurement of dielectric properties