US6072180A — Non-invasive infrared absorption spectrometer for…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising: a solid infrared transmissive thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue; cooling means in operative combination with the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass for cooling the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass; infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue in use, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and data capture means for sampling the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising: a solid infrared transmissive thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue; cooling means in operative combination with the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass for cooling the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass; infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue in use, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and data capture means for sampling the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 38 words

A spectrometer according to claim 1 further comprising: means for moving the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass relative to the tissue to bring the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into a conductive heat transfer relationship with the tissue.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 80 words

A spectrometer according to claim 2 wherein the means for moving the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass relative to the tissue comprises: a housing in which the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass is contained, the housing defining an aperture therein over which the tissue can be placed; and means for reducing the gas pressure in area between the tissue and the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass to draw the tissue into direct contact with the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 58 words

A spectrometer according to claim 3 wherein the means for moving the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass relative to the tissue further comprises: linear actuating means coupled to the housing and to the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass, the linear actuating means being operable to advance and retract the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass relative to the aperture.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 84 words

A spectrometer according to claim 3 wherein the means for moving the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass relative to the tissue further comprises: rotary actuating means coupled to the housing and to the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass, the rotary actuating means being operable to rotate the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass between a position in which the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass is adjacent to the aperture and a position in which the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass is remote from the aperture.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 83 words

A spectrometer according to claim 5 further comprising: an additional thermal mass coupled to the rotary actuating means, the additional thermal mass for heating the tissue; and heating means in operative combination with the additional thermal mass for heating the additional thermal mass, the rotary actuating means being operable to rotate the additional thermal mass between a position in which the additional thermal mass is adjacent to the aperture and a position in which the additional thermal mass is remote from the aperture.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 23 words

A spectrometer according to claim 6 wherein the infrared sensor means comprises a single infrared detector positioned behind a rotatable variable filter wheel.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 26 words

A spectrometer according to claim 3 further comprising a gas source in communication with the housing for supplying the interior of the housing with dry gas.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 39 words

A spectrometer according to claim 1 further comprising: homogenizing means through which the infrared emissions pass before being detected by the infrared sensor means, the homogenizing means for unfocusing the infrared emissions as they pass through the homogenizing means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 17 words

A spectrometer according to claim 9 wherein the homogenizing means comprises a tube having a reflective interior.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 45 words

A spectrometer according to claim 9 wherein the infrared sensor means comprises an array of infrared detectors, each infrared detector in the array being positioned behind a single wavelength infrared filter thereby to make each infrared detector sensitive to a particular band of infrared energy.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

A spectrometer according to claim 1 wherein the data capture means further comprises data capture and control means including a power line phase sensor for synchronizing the operation of the spectrometer to the phase of power line interference.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

A spectrometer according to claim 1 further comprising: an airtight enclosure in which the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass is contained, the enclosure including an infrared transmissive window over which the tissue can be placed; and means for moving the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into contact with the window thereby to transfer heat from the tissue to the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 58 words

A spectrometer according to claim 13 wherein the means for moving the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into contact with the window comprises: linear actuating means coupled to the enclosure and to the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass, the linear actuating means being operable to advance and retract the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass relative to the window.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 20 words

A spectrometer according to claim 14 further comprising: heating means in operative combination with the window, for heating the window.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 14 words

A spectrometer according to claim 15 wherein the enclosure is filled with dry gas.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 39 words

A spectrometer according to claim 15 further comprising: homogenizing means through which the infrared emissions pass before being detected by the infrared sensor means, the homogenizing means for unfocusing the infrared emissions as they pass through the homogenizing means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 17 words

A spectrometer according to claim 17 wherein the homogenizing means comprises a tube having a reflective interior.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 45 words

A spectrometer according to claim 15 wherein the infrared sensor means comprises an array of infrared detectors, each infrared detector in the array being positioned behind a single wavelength infrared filter thereby to make each infrared detector sensitive to a particular band of infrared energy.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 24 words

A spectrometer according to claim 15 wherein the infrared sensor means comprises a single infrared detector being positioned behind a rotatable variable filter wheel.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 38 words

A spectrometer according to claim 13 wherein the data capture means further comprises data capture and control means including a power line phase sensor for synchronizing the operation of the spectrometer to the phase of power line interference.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 190 words

A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising: a housing defining an aperture over which the tissue can be placed; a first thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, the first thermal mass being infrared transmissive; cooling means in operative combination with the first thermal mass for cooling the first thermal mass; a second thermal mass for heating the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue; heating means in operative combination with the second thermal mass for heating the second thermal mass; drive means mounted in the housing for alternately positioning the first and second thermal masses adjacent to the aperture to alternately heat and cool the living tissue; infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue in use, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and data capture means for sampling the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 190 words

A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising: a housing defining an aperture over which the tissue can be placed; a first thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, the first thermal mass being infrared transmissive; cooling means in operative combination with the first thermal mass for cooling the first thermal mass; a second thermal mass for heating the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue; heating means in operative combination with the second thermal mass for heating the second thermal mass; drive means mounted in the housing for alternately positioning the first and second thermal masses adjacent to the aperture to alternately heat and cool the living tissue; infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue in use, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and data capture means for sampling the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 40 words

A spectrometer according to claim 22 wherein, in operation, the heating and cooling means are deactivated while the data capture means samples the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 165 words

A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising: an enclosure including an infrared transmissive window over which the tissue can be placed; a first thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, the first thermal mass being infrared transmissive; cooling means in operative combination with the first thermal mass for cooling the first thermal mass; heating means in operative combination with the window for heating the window; drive means mounted in the housing for alternately positioning the first thermal mass in a heat transfer relationship with the window; infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue in use, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and data capture means for sampling the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 165 words

A spectrometer for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising: an enclosure including an infrared transmissive window over which the tissue can be placed; a first thermal mass for inducing a transient temperature gradient in the tissue by means of conductive heat transfer with the tissue, the first thermal mass being infrared transmissive; cooling means in operative combination with the first thermal mass for cooling the first thermal mass; heating means in operative combination with the window for heating the window; drive means mounted in the housing for alternately positioning the first thermal mass in a heat transfer relationship with the window; infrared sensor means for detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue in use, and for providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and data capture means for sampling the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 40 words

A spectrometer according to claim 24 wherein, in operation, the heating and cooling means are deactivated while the data capture means samples the output signals provided by the infrared sensor means as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 29

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising the steps of: cooling a solid infrared transmissive thermal mass; placing the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into a conductive heat transfer relationship with the tissue thereby to generate a transient temperature gradient in the tissue; detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue and passing through the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass; providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and sampling the output signals as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 91 words

A method for the non-invasive generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue, comprising the steps of: cooling a solid infrared transmissive thermal mass; placing the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into a conductive heat transfer relationship with the tissue thereby to generate a transient temperature gradient in the tissue; detecting infrared emissions emanating from the tissue and passing through the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass; providing output signals proportional to the detected infrared emissions; and sampling the output signals as the transient temperature gradient progresses into the tissue.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 41 words

A method according to claim 26 wherein the step of placing the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into a conductive heat transfer relationship further comprises the step of making direct contact between the tissue and the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method according to claim 26 wherein the conductive heat transfer relationship consists of contact between the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass and a relatively thin infrared transmissive window which is in direct contact with the tissue.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 31 words

A method according to claim 26 further comprising the step of preheating the tissue before placing the solid infrared transmissive thermal mass into a conductive heat transfer relationship with the tissue.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-06-06	2003-12-06	2004-06-06	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-06-06	2007-12-06	2008-06-06	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-06-06	2011-12-06	2012-06-06	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Non-invasive infrared absorption spectrometer for the generation and capture of thermal gradient spectra from living tissue

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