TWI706770B - Device for detecting disease and tele-healthcare system with such device and method of using such device - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for detecting disease (includes but not limits to breast cancer), tele-healthcare system with such device and method of using such device, comprising a device for detecting metabolism activity increases and angiogenesis induced tissue temperature increases and an electronic device. The device comprises two microwave scanners, at least one multiple channel radiometer, a microwave switch network, a controller, a data transmission device, and a power source. Each microwave scanner comprises a cup; a flexible printed circuit board, each circuit board comprising: a plurality of antenna modules coupled thereto, each antenna module comprising: an antenna, a multi-throw antenna switch, and a temperature sensor. The antenna is configured to receive microwaves thermal radiation from patient internal tissue and the radiometer is configured to convert from antenna received microwaves thermal radiation to electrical power that is used to calculate the patient tissue temperature. The data transmission device is configured to wirelessly transmit measurement data collected by the controller from the radiometer and the temperature sensors to an electronic device and the electronic device is configured to transmit the measurement data to a cloud data storage.

Description

Device for detecting disease, remote digital health care system with the device and method for using the device

The invention relates to a device for detecting diseases, a remote digital healthcare system with the device, and a method for using the device.

After the cell mutates into a cancer cell, the human body triggers angiogenesis in the area covering the cancer cell. The human body naturally raises the temperature of the cancer cell to a higher level than the surrounding healthy cells, in order to contribute to the high metabolic activity of the cancer cell Provide nutrition. Abnormal (bad) angiogenesis is not only limited to cancer, but also a role that the human body experiences in response to many different diseases. This increase in cell temperature can be used as a thermal biomarker. Properly designed microwave scanners (including antennas, thermal radiation receivers and related electronic equipment) can locate and detect these thermal biomarkers. However, they cannot distinguish the human body’s response to different diseases, which leads to the detection The "heat source" for the existence of the thermal biomarker.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved system and method for detecting and diagnosing diseases.

The present invention overcomes some of the defects, shortcomings and undesirable parameters associated with known systems and methods for detecting and diagnosing diseases.

According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, it provides a remote medical care system for detecting diseases. The system includes a device for detecting diseases caused by vascular regeneration, including smart phones, tablets or computers, and cloud servers. The electronic device of the software APP.

The device for detecting angiogenesis includes two microwave scanners, at least one multi-channel thermal radiation receiver, at least one microwave switching network, at least one controller electrically coupled to the two microwave scanners, and electrically coupled to the control At least one data transmission device and at least one power supply.

Each microwave scanner includes a cover cup, a flexible printed circuit board coupled to the cover cup, each circuit board includes a plurality of antenna modules coupled to it, and each antenna module includes a A microwave antenna in the tissue of the subject; at least one multi-cut antenna switch coupled to the antenna; at least one temperature sensor configured to perform temperature measurement located next to each antenna.

The thermal radiation receiver is coupled to the plurality of antenna modules through a coaxial cable, and is configured to measure the microwaves emitted from the tissue of the tester.

The microwave switching network is coupled to the multi-cut antenna switching switch, and is configured to execute a switching sequence.

The controller is configured to instruct the switching sequence of the microwave switch and the measurement sequence of the temperature sensor; and collect measurement data from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensor.

The data transmission device is configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement data collected from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensor by the controller to the electronic device.

The power source includes at least one rechargeable battery.

The electronic device is configured to receive the measurement data from the data transmission device and transmit the measurement data to a cloud data storage.

Optionally, the system may further include a cloud data storage, which is configured to store measurement data from the electronic device.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention includes a device for detecting temperature changes caused by angiogenesis, the device includes: two microwave scanners, each microwave scanner includes: a flexible printed circuit board, which includes: A plurality of antenna modules are coupled thereto, each antenna module includes: an antenna configured to receive microwaves from tissues in the body of the subject; at least one multi-cut antenna switch is coupled to the antenna; at least one position is adjacent The temperature sensor on each antenna is configured to perform temperature measurement; at least one multi-channel thermal radiation receiver is coupled to a plurality of antenna modules via a coaxial cable, the coaxial cable is configured to measure the emission from the patient’s tissue The microwave; at least one microwave switching network, which is coupled to the multi-cut antenna switch and the heat radiation receiver, the microwave switching network is configured to perform a switching sequence; at least one controller, which is electrically coupled to two A microwave scanner, and is configured to: instruct the switching sequence of the microwave switch and the measurement sequence of the temperature sensor; and collect measurement data from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensor; at least one data transmission device, which It is electrically coupled to the controller, and is configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement data collected by the controller from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensor to the electronic device; at least one power source, including at least one rechargeable battery.

Optionally, the microwave scanner further includes at least one breast cup, and the at least one flexible printed circuit board is coupled to the at least one breast cup.

Optionally, the device is a clothing with two cups fixed on the chest (for covering the cups, the internal antenna and the microwave cooking sensor), and the microwave scanner is coupled to the cups.

Optionally, the cup of the garment is made of conductive cloth.

Optionally, the clothing is in the form of a bra.

In another specific embodiment, the present invention relates to a device for detecting temperature changes caused by angiogenesis, the device includes: at least one microwave scanner, the microwave scanner includes: a flexible printed circuit board, including : A plurality of antenna modules coupled thereto, each antenna module includes: an antenna configured to receive microwave heat radiation from tissues in the body under test; and at least one multi-cut antenna switch, which Is coupled to the antenna; and at least one temperature sensor, which is located close to each antenna, the temperature sensor is configured to perform temperature measurement; at least one controller, which is electrically coupled to the at least A microwave scanner, and is configured to: instruct the switching sequence of the microwave switch and the measurement sequence of the temperature sensor; and collect measurement data from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors; at least one data A transmission device, which is electrically coupled to the controller, and is configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement data collected by the controller from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensor to an electronic device Device; and at least one power supply.

Optionally, the power supply includes a power cord.

In another specific embodiment, the invention relates to a method of using the device. The method includes the following steps: a) providing the device; b) placing the device on the skin of the tester (or user); c) scanning the subcutaneous tissue of the test subject (user) to obtain the heat radiation receiver Generate measurement data with the temperature sensor; d) transmit the measurement data from the device to an electronic device; and e) transmit the measurement data from the electronic device to a cloud data storage.

Optionally, the method may further include step f) after step e), processing the measurement data to determine a suspicious location in the tissue of the subject (or patient).

100: System

200: device

201: Cup

202: clothing

203: Flexible printed circuit board

204: Microwave Scanner

205: Antenna

206: Antenna Module

207: Microwave switch network

208: Thermal radiation receiver

210: Antenna switch

212: temperature sensor

214: Electronic Module

216: Controller

218: Data Transmission Device

220: Power Module

300: Software

302: Electronic Device

303: Electronic Device

304: Cloud Data Storage

900: Microwave noise source

910: Input terminal of thermal radiation receiver

912: Microwave Loop Circuit

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following description, the scope of the attached patent application and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for remote detection and diagnosis of diseases with the features of the present invention, which includes a device for detecting diseases; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device of Fig. 1, wherein The device can be seen in a piece of clothing; Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the device of Figure 2, where the back surface of the microwave scanner cup has been removed to show the internal components; Figure 4 is the microwave scanning of the device An exploded view of the device cup, in which a flexible circuit board can be seen; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the electronic processing flow of the device of Fig. 2; Fig. 6a is a single-antenna, single-channel thermal radiation receiver of the present invention-the first structure Figure 6b is the block diagram of the multi-antenna multi-channel thermal radiation receiver of the present invention-the third type structure: Figure 7 is the block diagram of the dual multi-antenna single channel thermal radiation receiver of the present invention type 2 structure Figure 8 is a block diagram of the antenna module of the present invention; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the front end of the thermal radiation meter of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a flowchart of the disease detection method according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart of a method of using the apparatus of Fig. 2; and Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram depicting the life cycle of breast cancer starting from cell mutation.

The following discussion details a specific embodiment of the present invention and several variations of the specific embodiment. However, this discussion should not be construed as limiting the invention to those specific embodiments. Those with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the present invention belongs can also ascertain many other specific embodiments.

[definition]

As used herein, unless different meanings are clearly pointed out in the content of using the term, the following terms and their variations have the meanings defined below.

Unless otherwise stated in the content, the terms "a", "a" and "the" used in this article should be interpreted as covering both the singular and the plural.

As used in this disclosure, the term "comprising" and variations of the term, such as "including" and "including", are not intended to exclude other additions, components, integral components or steps.

Terms such as "coupled", "coupled", "coupled to", and "coupled to" refer to electrical, mechanical or other means to couple more than two elements or signals. More than two electronic components can be electrically coupled, but not mechanically coupled or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical components can be mechanically coupled, but not electrically coupled or otherwise coupled Way of coupling; two or more electronic components can be mechanically coupled, but not electrically coupled or coupled in other ways Pick up. The coupling (whether mechanically, electrically or otherwise) can last for any length of time, such as permanently, semi-permanently, or just a moment.

[this invention]

The system 100 discussed in this application is related to the detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, but the system 100 is not limited to breast cancer. The system 100 can be used to detect and diagnose many different types of diseases, and the hardware can be modified according to the needs of different parts of the human body. In addition, the system and method are not limited to being applied to humans. The system and method can also be applied to other objects, such as animals.

Reference is now made to Figure 1, which shows a system 100 for detecting and diagnosing diseases. The system 100 includes two main components: a device 200 and a software 300, and the software 300 may include an application program that can be used in conjunction with at least one electronic device 302. Several additional programs can also be used to process and analyze data and image types generated by using the system 100. The electronic device 302 can be a mobile device, such as a tablet computer, a mobile computer, or a smart phone, but can also be implemented by various wired and/or wireless computing devices, including wired desktop computers. FIG. 1 depicts the use of the device 200 and programs and/or software 300 with a smart phone, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer. The electronic device 302 includes a processing device (processor), input/output interface, display, network interface, memory, operating system, and storage. The electronic device 302 may also include an easy-to-use touch screen user interface and a wireless device such as a Bluetooth to connect via a regional data bus. The system 100 also includes a cloud data storage 304.

The processing device may include any customized or commercially available processor, central processing unit (CPU), or several processing related to the electronic device Auxiliary processors in the device, semiconductor-based microprocessors (in the form of microchips), macro processors, more than one application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), a plurality of digital logic gates with appropriate architecture, and Independent and various combinations of separate components of other electrical structures to coordinate with the overall operation of the system.

The memory may include any combination of volatile memory devices (for example, random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, etc.)) and non-volatile memory devices. The memory system typically includes a native operating system, one or more native applications, a simulation system, or a simulation application for any of various operating systems and/or simulation hardware platforms, simulation operating systems, and so on.

The present invention may include specific application software 300, which may include some or all of the components of the electronic device 302 and the cloud data storage 304. According to this specific embodiment, the components are stored in the memory and executed by the processing device. The system and method for detecting and diagnosing diseases can be stored in the memory of the electronic device 303, and/or optionally in the cloud data storage 304.

Those with ordinary knowledge in the field will understand that the memory can and usually will contain other components that have been omitted for brevity. In the disclosure of this case, the non-transitory computer-readable medium stores more than one program for use by, or in combination with, the command execution system, equipment, or device.

An electronic device network interface can include various components for transmitting and/or receiving data through a network environment in a wired and/or wireless manner. When these components are embodied as applications, the one or more components can be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and executed by the processing device.

Optionally, the system 100 can be combined with the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). IoMT is also known as the Internet of Healthcare IoT, which includes medical devices and applications connected to the healthcare IT system via the Internet. Devices with Wi-Fi capabilities can facilitate machine-to-machine communication and link to the cloud platform for data storage and management.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the device 200 includes a wearable garment 202 and at least one microwave scanner 204. Each microwave scanner 204 is electrically coupled to the electrical components that control the microwave scanner 204. Optionally, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, each of the electrical components can be mounted/coupled to a central bracket. The electrical components installed on the bracket include a microwave switching network 207, a thermal radiation receiver 208, and an electronic module 214, which includes at least one controller 216 and at least one data transmission device 218. The power module 220 can also be coupled to the central bracket.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, each microwave scanner 204 may include a cup 201 in which or mounted to it is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 203. The antenna module 206 is coupled to the flexible printed circuit board 203. Each antenna module 206 includes an antenna 205 and an antenna switch 210. Cables couple each antenna 205 to a microwave switching network 207 and/or its thermal radiation receiver (also called M-R) 208. In the present application, the clothing 202 is in the form of a bra-like clothing, and it can be manufactured to support and connect two microwave scanner cups 201, so that the cups 201 will firmly contact the breast skin. A conductive cloth pad can be coupled to the inside of the scanner cup 201 to provide shielding from external microwave interference sources. When the device 200 is worn, the conductive pad will be placed on the user's skin. Optionally, the hood The cup 201 may be made of conductive cloth. Optionally, the cup 201 may also include a thermal insulator to provide thermal insulation against external temperature effects. Figure 4 is an exploded view of the microwave scanner 204, which shows how the flexible PCB (printed circuit board) 203 can be adapted to the shape and size of the breast to which it will be applied. Each of the breast cups 201 may include two detachable halves, wherein the flexible PCB 203 is installed between the two halves, or the flexible PCB 203 may be embedded in the breast cup 201. The cup 201 may be made of rigid material such as plastic, but the cup 201 is preferably made of a semi-flexible material that matches the shape of the user's breast to which it will be applied.

The microwave scanner (also known as "MS") 204 can include at least three different types of structures depending on its application: Type 1 MS includes a single antenna and single channel MR (SASC); Type 2 MS includes multiple Antenna and single channel MR (MASC); and Type 3 MS is a complex antenna and multiple channel MR (MAMC); Type 1 microwave scanner (MS) 204 is basically a special type of MS type 2 or 3 Sub-collection. These different configurations will be discussed in more detail below. All these three structures have cables and/or wireless interfaces in the electronic module 214 and can be connected to an electronic device 302 to link data to the cloud data storage 304 through the electronic device 302. As shown in Figure 1, the cloud data storage 304 is located on a cloud server accessible by Wi-Fi and the Internet.

FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 coupled to the garment 202 to form the second type microwave scanner (M-S) 204 device 200. As mentioned above, the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 includes at least one antenna module 206, and each antenna module 206 includes at least one antenna 205 and at least one antenna switch 开关210。 Switch 210. The antenna module 206 is coupled to the microwave switching network 207 through a coaxial cable. Both the microwave switching network 207 and the thermal radiation receivers are coupled to the electronic module 214, and the electronic module 214 itself is coupled to the power module 220. The electronic module 214 is electrically coupled to the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 through a serial data link, and includes at least one controller 216 and at least one data transmission device 218 as described above.

The antenna module 206 receives and captures the naturally occurring microwave heat transmission effect from the internal tissue of the human body. The microwave scanner (MS) 204 also includes at least one radiometric receiver (MR) 208, and preferably includes a plurality of multi-channel radiometric receivers (MR) 208 to collect a larger amount of thermal data at the same time. Assist heat distribution and feature determination. The MR radiometer (MR) 208 converts the microwave "thermal energy" (also called "thermal brightness") emitted from the tissue and captured by the antenna modules 206 into "electric energy" -The electrical energy in the form of voltage and current, and then convert this electrical energy into temperature (heat energy intensity). Generally, the microwave is emitted with a wavelength of millimeters to centimeters, which corresponds to a frequency range of 1-100 GHz. The "emissivity" of the thermal radiation passing through a specific body tissue depends on the frequency (or wavelength). Appropriate selection of frequency bands in the microwave spectrum is crucial for the device 200 to achieve the desired accuracy and sensitivity. The antenna module 206 is coupled to its respective thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208 via a coaxial cable or optionally via a waveguide. A waveguide is a structure that guides electromagnetic waves or acoustic waves with minimal energy consumption by limiting diffusion in one or two dimensions. Water waves confined to the canal, or gun barrels that limit the expansion of hot gas to maximize energy transfer to bullets, have similar effects. In the absence of the physical constraints of the waveguide, the amplitude of the wave will decrease as it diffuses into the three-dimensional space according to the inverse square law. Each Different types of waves have different types of waveguides. The earliest and most common is the hollow metal conductive tube used to carry high-frequency radio waves, especially microwaves.

As mentioned above, the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 may include at least two different configurations. The second type microwave scanner (MS) 204 may include a plurality of antenna modules 206 with a single thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208, and an antenna module for selecting connection with the thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208 206 single multi-cut microwave switching network 207. It is shown in Figures 5 and 7. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a microwave scanner (M-S) 204 coupled with the clothing 202 to form the second type device 200. Figure 7 shows a block diagram of the multi-antenna single channel M-R configuration. The measurement samples from each antenna module 206 are collected sequentially. The microwave switching network 207 couples each antenna 205 (via the antenna switching switch 210 in each antenna module 206) to a thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208 in sequence. It takes several minutes to complete a measurement cycle, because the thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208 needs to collect the measurement values at each antenna 205 position, and each position requires a few seconds of integrated response. A microwave temperature index and a reference temperature sensor 212 are provided at the position of each antenna module 206. The thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208 is actually a "Dicke" or other type thermal radiation receiver, in which each measurement corresponds to the temperature sensor located at each antenna module 206 212, the provided temperature index is performed.

Fig. 6a shows that the application version of the first type of architecture adopts the first type SASC M-S, where the device 200 includes a single antenna and a single thermal radiation receiver. The second type of application architecture shown in Figure 6b adopts the third type of microwave scanner (ie, MAMC’s MS) 204. This type of MS includes a plurality of dedicated thermal radiation receivers (MR) 208, which pass one or more A microwave switching network 207 is connected to a plurality of antenna modules 206. The third type of application shelf is shown in Figure 7 The structure adopts two M-S of the second type MASC. The device 200 includes two microwave scanners (M-S) 204, each M-S is used for each breast, and also includes a plurality of antenna modules and a single thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208 for each breast. In this architecture, the total measurement time is reduced because both breasts can be scanned at the same time. At the same time, the complexity of M-S design can be reduced.

The antenna switching switch 210 connects each antenna 205 to its corresponding thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208 in sequence via the microwave switching network 207. Optionally, the antenna switch 210 may include a multi-cut antenna switch. The multi-cut antenna switch is basically composed of a combination of SPST (Single Axis Single Cut) switches connected to a common node and biased, so each switch port of the antenna switch 210 can be turned on independently. The common node of the antenna switch 210 must be designed to minimize the resistive and reactive load presented by the OFF port, so that the ON port can obtain low insertion loss and VSWR (voltage standing wave ratio). There are two basic methods to achieve the best performance of the shared node of the multi-cut antenna switch over a wide frequency range. The first type uses PIN diodes mounted in series connected to the common node. It selects the path by "forward biasing" its series diodes and simultaneously "reverse biasing" all other diodes. This can provide the required low-loss path for the ON port while minimizing the load on the OFF port. The second method is to use PIN diodes installed in parallel at a quarter wavelength away from the node. The two-pole system of the selected ON port is "reversely biased", while the OFF port is forward biased, thereby creating a short circuit on the transmission line. Due to the quarter wavelength interval, the short circuit is converted to an open circuit at the node. By appropriately selecting the transmission line impedance and minimizing the stray reactance, it is possible to construct this type of switch with low insertion loss and VSWR over a bandwidth of three to one. VSWR department is defined It is the input and output port of the selected ON path. A similar microwave switch structure that uses a FET device instead of a PIN diode is usually used on a microwave switch similar to this.

Preferably, at least one temperature sensor 212 is located at the position of each antenna module 206, so that the number of antennas 205 in the device 200 is equal to that of the temperature sensors 212 in the system. Quantity. However, although this ratio of the temperature sensor 212 to the antenna 205 is not absolutely necessary, it is better for optimizing the detection of warmer tissue regions. The temperature sensor 212 (via the microwave terminal connected to the antenna switch 210) provides a reference temperature reading of the surrounding environment to compare with the temperature reading obtained by the attached antenna 205 to determine whether the antenna is inspected The tissue temperature in the field. The difference between the reading of the temperature sensor 212 and the reading of the attached antenna 205, when added to the reference temperature reading, can be obtained in the volume of the tissue under the skin measured by the antenna temperature.

The at least one controller 216 is located in the electronic module 214 and is configured to instruct the switching sequence of the MR 208 of the microwave switching network 207 and the measurement sequence of the temperature sensor 212 , And collect the microwave measurement value of the thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208 and the measurement value of the temperature sensor 212. The controller 216 is electrically coupled to each microwave scanner (M-S) 204. Optionally, the device 200 may have more than one controller 216.

At least one data transmission device 218 is also located in the electronic module 214 and is electrically coupled to each microwave scanner (M-S) 204. Data transmission (also known as data communication or digital communication) refers to data transmission (digital bit stream or digital analog signal) through point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication channels. Examples of such channels are copper wire, optical fiber, wireless (including microwave, optical, and laser) communications Channels, storage media, and computer buses. As mentioned above, the data transmission device 218 will transmit the measurement data collected by the controller 216 from the thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208 and the temperature sensor 212 to an electronic device 302 or directly to the cloud data. Storage 304. The measurement data can be wirelessly transmitted by an electromagnetic signal, such as voltage, radio wave, microwave, or infrared signal.

Optionally, the wireless communication technology may include "Wi-Fi Direct", which was originally called Wi-Fi "peer-to-peer". Wi-Fi Direct is a Wi-Fi standard that allows different devices to easily connect to each other without a wireless access point. Wi-Fi Direct allows two devices to establish a direct Wi-Fi connection without the need for a wireless "router". Therefore, unlike wireless discretionary networks and free mobile networks, Wi-Fi direct connection is a single-point wireless jumper communication instead of multiple jumper wireless communication. However, the Wi-Fi random mode can also support multi-hop wireless communication when the intermediate Wi-Fi node is used as a data packet repeater.

One advantage of Wi-Fi Direct is that it can be connected even if it is a device from a different manufacturer. Only one of the Wi-Fi devices needs to be compatible with the Wi-Fi Direct Standard to establish a peer-to-peer connection, and data can be transferred directly between them with greatly reduced settings.

Wi-Fi Direct will negotiate a link with the Wi-Fi Protection Setting System, which will allocate a limited wireless access point for each device. The "pairing" of Wi-Fi direct devices can be set to be on one or all devices, which requires proximity to near field communication, UHF radio wave signals, and button press.

Once the measurement data reaches the electronic device 302, the electronic device 302 uploads the data to the cloud data storage 304. The service provider will The cloud data storage 304 collects and processes the data, including applying several algorithms and software to generate thermal imaging images, perform image classification and analysis data, and determine suspicious parts, so as to distribute data processing and analysis through the cloud The results provide users (patients) and medical practitioners (physicians) with appropriate analysis results as the basis for physicians' diagnosis. At the same time, artificial intelligence's mechanical deep learning model and statistical algorithm are applied to thermal image recognition to improve the accuracy of thermal image recognition in response to the growing database.

Optionally, as described above, the data can be sent directly from the device 200 to the cloud data storage 304. In this embodiment, the medical practitioner can then access the uploaded data (and optionally processed data) via an electronic device 302, which is communicatively coupled to the Cloud data storage 304 (usually through wireless transmission means, although it can also be through wired transmission means).

The power module 220 can be a power cord that couples the clothing 202 (and its microwave scanner 204 (MS)) to a power socket, or the power module 220 can be coupled to a battery charging and indicating circuit, Or a rechargeable battery located in the electronic module 214. Optionally, the battery can be recharged by wired or wireless recharging means, such as a charging pad, a charging bowl, or an uncoupled radio frequency.

The charging pad usually uses tightly coupled electromagnetic induction or non-radiation charging. Charging bowls or pass-through chargers usually use loose coupling or radiated electromagnetic resonance charging, which can transfer charges by several centimeters. Uncoupled radio frequency (RF) wireless charging allows micro-current charging at a distance of several feet.

Both tightly coupled inductive charging and loosely coupled resonant charging operate based on the same physical principle: a time-varying magnetic field induces a current in a closed wire loop.

Optionally, charging with a charging clip can be applied to the case where a charging clip is clipped to the electronic module 214 to charge it (instead of the traditional wired method).

Optionally, the clothing 202 may have wired and wireless charging capabilities.

The garment 202 has several advantages. First, it can ensure that the antenna 205 has a stable and firm contact with the breast within a few minutes required to complete the measurement process. Secondly, it can ensure that the antenna 205 is accurately placed at the same designated position during subsequent measurements, so that the temperature history can be compared for long-term monitoring and tracking. Third, compared to a single antenna multiple antenna placement device, the clothing 202 provides a more comfortable measurement process for the user (for both healthy and patient), and is an instrument operator (including self-testing) The user) provides a less cumbersome program. Fourth, the measurement can be self-managed, which means that users can conduct self-testing in the privacy of their own home or their place, without having to visit the clinic for testing. Fifth, during the measurement process, it provides a better shielding effect against microwave and thermal interference caused by the external environment.

The purpose and function of all components will now be described in detail. As mentioned above, the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 uses microwave heat radiation to sense the temperature of the tissues on and under the skin. The purpose is to detect the increase in temperature of the breast tissue in the area caused by the increase in the metabolic activity of the cancer cell area and the increase in temperature caused by the process of angiogenesis. The microwave scanner (M-S) 204 compares the temperatures from a plurality of measurement locations to determine suspicious warm hot spots in the breast area. In the past, thermal imaging technology using other "thermal" sensing technologies (such as infrared) has been proposed for this purpose-breast cancer screening. However, compared with the previously proposed method, the advantages of the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 of the present invention are: The microwave scanner 204 (M-S) can not only measure the surface temperature of the skin but also the temperature of the tissues under the skin. The latter is still unable to be measured with other non-invasive thermal sensing devices. The temperature of the subcutaneous tissue is a pathological and physiological biomarker, and if there is a pathological change (such as cancer) in the human body, the biomarker occurs before the anatomical biomarker (such as tumor lumps). Therefore, by obtaining the above-mentioned pathological marker-temperature, the existence of cancer can be detected early and assisted in subsequent early diagnosis and treatment, and even post-treatment tracking and monitoring.

As mentioned above, the microwave scanner (MS) 204 may include a plurality of antennas 205 and a multi-channel thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208, where the antenna is in contact with the skin to measure the subcutaneous (MS) at several different locations on the body. The temperature below the surface of the skin. The antenna 205 and the antenna module 206 are arranged in a special bracket, such as a cup 201 coupled to the bra-shaped clothing 202 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As mentioned above, FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of an antenna module 206. The antenna module 206 uses a single-stage three-head (SP3T) antenna switching switch 210 to connect the antenna 205 and two comparison reference terminal resistors. In the normal temperature measurement mode, the antenna switch 210 is switched between the antenna 205 and one of the comparison reference terminal resistors (temperature sensor 212), so as to generate the breast tissue and the comparison reference The temperature difference between the terminal temperature sensors 212 is read. In the calibration mode discussed in more detail below, the antenna switch 210 switches between two comparison reference terminal resistors, both of which are located at the designated temperature sensor. Because it is at the same temperature, the temperature difference measurement value should be zero. Any measurement temperature other than zero is an error generated in the measurement path, and this error will also appear in the normal measurement mode. The corrected temperature difference is read and then subtracted from the measured tissue temperature to complete the correction step.

As mentioned above, the device 200 of the present invention uses microwave thermal imaging to map the temperature distribution in the tissue (in this case, the breast) to locate the possible cancer tumor location. In order for the device 200 to accurately determine the temperature of the tissue under the skin, it is necessary to correct the microwave path between each antenna 205 and a thermal radiation receiver (MR) 208. These paths can include coaxial cables and multi-cut antenna switches and their connectors. The path from the radiometer (MR) 208 to each antenna 205 has different characteristics such as the length of the coaxial cable. Breast tissue temperature (T _A) in an amount within the measuring apparatus 200 in the antenna 205 field of view (Field of View abbreviated FOV), and a position adjacent to the antenna 205 is "match the reference terminal" known temperature ( The temperature difference (△T) between T _R ), that is, △T=T _A -T _R. The antenna switching switch 210 in the antenna module 206 will switch between the antenna 205 and the "comparison reference terminal" to perform temperature difference measurement. Add the temperature difference (△T) to the known "comparison reference terminal" temperature ( _TR ), and the absolute temperature value of the tissue under each antenna 205 can be obtained, that is, T _A =△T+T _R. In fact, the measurement will have errors. For example, conductor loss and small amplitude irregularities and floating in the microwave path will cause measurement errors (type 1). These irregularities will cause a fixed offset error for each measurement, that is, each measurement temperature will deviate from its correct temperature by an unknown fixed value (t _B ). The error of this unknown fixed value cancels each other out from the temperature difference between the two measurements, that is, △T=T _A -T _R =(T _A +t _B )-(T _R +t _B ). Therefore, the above correction method is still applicable. Another measurement error (the second type) is caused by the change in the internal gain of the MR 208 and thermal noise. The measurement temperature is related to the magnitude of the temperature difference. The device 200 is constructed as a method to determine these measurement errors before measuring the breast temperature, so that it can perform correction similar to the first-type measurement error at each antenna module 206 position under precise measurement conditions.

The gain error is determined using the schematic diagram shown in FIG. 9. The microwave noise source 900 is located at the M-R input terminal 910 and is coupled to the thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208. Figure 9 shows this coupling via a microwave "circulation circuit" 912, but a directional coupler can also be used. The noise power is propagated toward the antenna module 206 through the connector of the input terminal 910 of the thermal radiation receiver. This noise power is modulated to be synchronized with the detector timing of the thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208. The antenna switch 210 is set in the off position. When none of the three input pins are selected, there will be a disconnection position. Alternatively, a four-throw switch can also be used, and a short circuit or open circuit can be attached to the selected fourth leg. The radiometer (MR) 208 measures the amount of noise power reflected by the antenna switch 210 in the open position, and sets the value and the internal open relationship of the radiometer (MR) 208 to short circuit Position, the measured noise power is compared. The ratio of the reflected power measured from the antenna switch 210 to the reflected power measured from the internal switch is twice the path loss between the thermal radiation receiver (M-R) 208 and the antenna module 206. The size of the temperature measurement is then used to correct for this path loss.

Also as described above, in one aspect, the present invention includes a method for detecting diseases. The method is shown in Figure 10 and includes the following steps: a) providing the device 200; b) applying the device 200 to a user (subject); c) manually or automatically using the device 200 The microwave scanner (MS) 204 scans the user’s subcutaneous tissue, so that the antenna 205 and the temperature sensor 212 can obtain a plurality of temperature readings; d) after completing a measurement cycle performed in step c) , To transmit the plurality of temperature readings from the device 200 to an electronic device 302; e) After step d), transmit the plurality of temperature readings from the electronic device 302 to a cloud data storage 304; and f) process the plurality of temperature readings to determine a suspicious location.

Optionally, the processing procedure in step f) may include generating at least one thermal image, and analyzing the processed data to determine and classify the suspicious area.

Optionally, the device 200 can be applied to users in the privacy environment of their own homes. Then, the physician can access the processed data through the cloud data storage 304 and provide relevant guidance and counseling. The guidelines can include disease screening and assistance in disease diagnosis (such as pathological biopsy) and treatment, such as chemotherapy, electrotherapy, medication, surgery, and other therapies (such as various Chinese medicine methods). It can provide these services via the Internet to make the process of the remote medical care cycle more complete.

Optionally, the method for detecting diseases includes the following steps: a) receiving a plurality of temperature readings obtained by a plurality of antenna modules 206 and a plurality of temperature sensors 212 from the device 200 on an electronic device 302; b; ) Transmit the plurality of temperature readings from the electronic device 302 to a cloud data storage 304; and c) process and analyze the plurality of temperature readings to determine the suspicious location of the disease.

Optionally, the invention includes a method of using the device 200 of the invention. The method is shown in FIG. 11 and includes the following steps: a) providing the device 200; b) applying the device 200 to the user; c) By switching the antenna switch 210 to the antenna 205 and the temperature sensor 212, the microwave scanner (MS) 204 of the device 200 is used to scan the internal tissues of the user so that the heat radiation The receiver meter (MR) 208 obtains a plurality of temperature readings; d) transmits the plurality of temperature readings to an electronic device 302; e) transmits the plurality of temperature readings from the electronic device 302 to a cloud data storage 304 .

Optionally, the method of using the device 200 may further include step f) processing the plurality of temperature readings to determine the suspected disease area.

Optionally, the device 200 can be applied by users in their own homes or private environments when they go out. The doctor can access the processed data through the cloud data storage 304 and provide relevant guidance and assistance.

Another method of using the device 200 of the present invention includes the following steps: a) On an electronic device 302, receiving a plurality of temperatures obtained by a plurality of antenna modules 206 and a plurality of temperature sensors 212 from the device 200 Readings; b) transmitting a plurality of temperature readings from the electronic device 302 to the cloud data storage 304; and c) processing the plurality of temperature readings to determine the location of a suspicious disease.

Figure 12 depicts the life cycle of breast cancer. It includes three stages: (1) Preclinical stage-0 to 8 years after cancer cell mutation. (2) Clinical stage-8 to 12 years after mutation; and (3) Post-clinical stage, starting from 12 years after mutation or after treatment of breast cancer patients. In various applications of the system 100 and device 200 of the present invention In the example, it should be noted that at different stages of the cancer life cycle, the applications and users of the system 100 and the device 200 are different:

(1) In this pre-clinical stage, the user group is concentrated on general women (no age limit) with the highest risk of breast cancer. The main goal is to continuously monitor and track changes in the internal temperature distribution curve to detect any abnormal temperature distribution caused by cancer, inflammation or other diseases.

(2) In this clinical stage, the user group includes medical professionals, such as doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, and patients.

The device 200 can be used for breast cancer screening for women with dense breast tissue and/or breasts with microcalcification disease, to compensate for mammography (X-ray) and ultrasound (ultrasonic) devices for the above two groups of women. Inadequacy or limitations of breast cancer screening. In addition, the device 200 can provide temperature data and information to assist doctors (and/or breast surgeons) to monitor and track the effectiveness and effectiveness of the services they provide (such as cancer treatment). The temperature data provided by the device 200 can also assist pathologists to distinguish benign tumors from malignant tumors more accurately.

(3) In the post-clinical stage, the device 200 can provide an early warning of cancer recurrence and metastasis for the breast cancer patient based on continuous monitoring and tracking of abnormal temperature conditions in the tissues of all cancer patients and patients.

As described above, one aspect of the present invention can be implemented as a program, an application program, or a product used with a computer system and the device 200 of the present invention. The program of the program product defines the functions of the specific embodiments (including the methods and techniques described herein), and can be stored on various computer-readable recording media. Illustrative examples of computer-readable recording media include, but are not limited to: (i) Information is permanently stored on non-writable recording media (for example, a read-only storage device in a computer, such as CD- CD-ROM disc read by a ROM drive); and (ii) a writable storage medium on which rewritable information is stored (for example, a floppy disk in a floppy disk drive or a hard disk drive). Such a computer-readable recording medium is a specific embodiment of the present invention when it has computer-readable instructions that can instruct the functions of the present invention. Other media include communication media through which information can be transmitted to a computer, such as a computer or telephone network including a wireless communication network. The following specific embodiments specifically include sending information to/from the Internet and other networks. When such a communication medium has computer-readable instructions that can instruct the functions of the present invention, it belongs to the specific embodiment of the present invention. Broadly speaking, computer-readable recording media and communication media are referred to as computer-readable media here.

The applications (APPs) required for medical Internet of Things (IoMT) connection perform four basic functions to integrate the following three sections into the system 100:

1) The signal exchange and data stream between the mobile device and other mobile device platforms with Android or iOS and the microwave scanner:

2) Two-way data connection between mobile devices and cloud servers (or other types of large database storage).

3) Download the original data including images and images and upload the processed data between the cloud server storage and the data analysis and processing station.

4) Download the processed data and upload medical evaluation and diagnosis information between the medical center/hospital and the cloud server.

Advantages of the invention:

The system 100 of the present invention can provide telemedicine and virtual clinic medical services for breast health care and disease screening, including but not limited to the "prognosis" (prediction) and diagnosis of cancer. This screening can be performed without any invasive procedures The order is completed. The patient simply puts on the clothing 202 and the scanner cup 201, the microwave scanner (M-S) 204 will be activated, and a plurality of temperature readings will be taken. If any abnormal "hot spots" are found in the tissues of the person's body, the physician in charge of monitoring can now accurately focus on that area and perform any other diagnostic techniques.

For patients and cancer patients-due to the wireless data transmission capability of the system 100 and the portable feature of the device 200, patients can conduct self-tests in the privacy of their own homes or other places (such as hotel rooms). There is no need to go to a clinic, medical center or hospital. This can save the patient time and money.

For physicians, the system 100 can improve the efficiency of clinical consultation by shortening the clinical consultation time, and provide additional and valuable information from the processed images/data results of each patient's virtual visit. The system 100 can also expand the geographic distribution of the physician's patients and remote consultations in remote rural areas.

For hospitals and clinical centers-the system 100 can reduce the frequency of patient visits, thereby reducing management burden (saving costs for the hospital). Since the number of face-to-face outpatient visits between doctors and patients is reduced and the traffic flow of hospital facilities is reduced, the system 100 can also provide a better medical care environment.

Other applications of the invention:

By virtue of the unique structure of the microwave scanner (M-S) 204, it can sense and measure the thermal energy density inside the skin in the form of so-called radiation temperature. The availability of subcutaneous radiation temperature has opened up a variety of medical applications, including but not limited to: (1) Detection of cancer cells and abnormal or diseased tissues in internal organs, such as breast, lung, liver, pancreas and Cancer of the ovary; (2) Identify internal internal infection and/or inflamed areas, such as the diagnosis of arthritis, thyroid disease and maxillary sinusitis; (3) Assist in birth control planning; (4) Provide thermal imaging and temperature information, for example Chiropractic treatment of disease treatment, active microwave heat therapy, and anti-cancer therapy can improve the efficacy due to the assistance of precise temperature control, and the temperature information can also improve the efficacy of pulse diagnosis and acupuncture treatments in Chinese medical procedures; And (5) The thermal radiation temperature can be used to distinguish malignant cancer cells from benign tumor cells, and the internal temperature data can be used to improve the accuracy of "biopsy" and help doctors in the Confirm whether the "slice biopsy" procedure is necessary during a screening test.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred specific embodiments, other specific embodiments are also feasible. For example, the steps disclosed in this method are neither intended to be restrictive, nor intended to mean that each step is essential to the method, but only exemplary steps. Therefore, the scope of the attached patent application should not be limited to the content disclosed in this case, which contains the description of the preferred specific embodiments. All references cited in this case are incorporated herein by reference.

100: System

200: device

202: clothing

204: Microwave Scanner

300: Software

302: Electronic Device

304: Cloud Data Storage

Claims (17)

A remote digital healthcare system for detecting diseases. The system includes: a) a device for detecting angiogenesis, the device includes: i) two microwave scanners, each of which includes: 1) A cover cup; 2) a flexible printed circuit board, which is coupled to the cover cup, each circuit board includes: a) a plurality of antenna modules, which are coupled to the circuit board, each antenna module has It includes: i. an antenna configured to receive microwaves from patient tissue; ii. at least one multi-cut antenna switch, which is coupled to the antenna; and iii. at least one temperature sensor, which is located in close proximity For each antenna, the temperature sensor is configured to perform temperature measurement; ii) at least one multi-channel thermal radiation receiver, which is coupled to the plurality of antenna modules through a coaxial cable, the multi-channel thermal radiation The receiver is configured to measure microwaves emitted from the patient’s tissue; iii) at least one microwave switching network, which is coupled to the multi-cut antenna switching switch, and the at least one microwave switching network is configured to perform a switching sequence Iv) at least one controller, which is electrically coupled to two microwave scanners, and is configured to: 1) instruct the switching sequence of the multi-cut antenna switch and the measurement sequence of the temperature sensor; and 2) Collect measurement data from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors; v) At least one data transmission device, which is electrically coupled to the controller, and is configured to transfer data from the controller The measurement data collected by the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors are wirelessly transmitted to an electronic device; and vi) at least one power source including at least one rechargeable battery; and b) an electronic device , Which includes a smart phone, tablet or computer, and the electronic device is configured to receive the measurement data from the data transmission device, and transmit the measurement data to a cloud data storage. For example, the system of claim 1, further comprising: a cloud data storage, which is configured to store the measurement data from the electronic device. A device for detecting diseases due to vascular regeneration, the device includes: a) two microwave scanners, each microwave scanner includes: i) a flexible printed circuit board, including: 1) a plurality of antenna modules, It is coupled to the flexible printed circuit board. Each antenna module includes: a) an antenna configured to receive microwaves from patient tissue; b) at least one multi-cut antenna switch, which is coupled to The antenna; and c) at least one temperature sensor located next to each antenna, the temperature sensor being configured to perform temperature measurement; ii) at least one multi-channel thermal radiation receiver, which is coaxial The cable is coupled to the plurality of antenna modules, and the multi-channel thermal radiation receiver is configured to measure microwaves emitted from patient tissue; iii) at least one microwave switching network, which is coupled to the multi-cut antenna switching switch and the heat radiation receiver, the microwave switching network is configured to execute the switching sequence; and b) at least one controller, which is It is electrically coupled to two microwave scanners, and is configured to: i) instruct the switching sequence of the multi-cut antenna switch and the measurement sequence of the temperature sensor; and ii) from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors Detector collects measurement data; c) at least one data transmission device, which is electrically coupled to the controller, and is configured to collect the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors by the controller The measurement data of is wirelessly transmitted to an electronic device; and d) at least one power source, including at least one rechargeable battery. The device of claim 3, wherein the microwave scanner further includes at least one cup, and the at least one flexible printed circuit board is coupled to the at least one cup. The device of claim 3, wherein the device is a garment with two cups, and the microwave scanner is coupled to the cups. Such as the device of claim 5, wherein the cup of the clothing is made of conductive cloth. The device of claim 5, wherein the clothing is in the form of a bra. A device for detecting angiogenesis, the device comprising: a) at least one microwave scanner, the microwave scanner comprising: i) a flexible printed circuit board, comprising: 1) a plurality of antenna modules coupled to it , Each antenna module contains: a) an antenna configured to receive microwaves from patient tissue; b) at least one multi-cut antenna switch, which is coupled to the antenna; and c) at least one temperature sensor, which is located next to each An antenna, the temperature sensor is configured to perform temperature measurement; b) at least one controller, which is electrically coupled to the at least one microwave scanner, and is configured to: i) instruct the multi-cut antenna to switch Switching sequence and measurement sequence of the temperature sensor; and ii) collecting measurement data from a thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors; c) at least one data transmission device, which is electrically coupled to the controller And is configured to wirelessly transmit the measurement data collected by the controller from the thermal radiation receiver and the temperature sensors to an electronic device; and d) at least one power source. The device of claim 8, wherein the microwave scanner further includes at least one cup, and the at least one flexible printed circuit board is coupled to the at least one cup. The device of claim 8, wherein the device is a garment with two cups, and each flexible printed circuit board is coupled to one cup. The device of claim 9, wherein the cup is made of conductive cloth. Such as the device of claim 10, wherein the clothing is in the form of a bra. Such as the device of claim 8, wherein the power supply includes one of the following : Power cord or at least one rechargeable battery. A method of using a device as claimed in claim 3, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing the device; b) placing the device on the user’s skin; c) scanning the user’s subcutaneous tissue to radiate the heat The receiver and the temperature sensors generate measurement data; d) transmit the measurement data from the device to an electronic device; and e) transmit the measurement data from the electronic device to a cloud data storage. For example, the method in claim 14, further comprising, after step e), step f) processing the measurement data to determine the suspicious part in the user's tissue. A method of using a device as claimed in claim 3, the method comprising the following steps: a) providing the device; b) placing the device on the user’s skin; c) scanning the user’s subcutaneous tissue to radiate the heat The receiving meter and the temperature sensors generate measurement data; d) transmitting the measurement data from the device to a cloud data storage. For example, the method of claim 16, further comprising step e) after step d) processing the measurement data to determine a suspicious location in the user's tissue.

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