US 11,925,448 B2
Tomographic systems for determining characteristics of inhomogeneous specimens using guided electromagnetic fields
Timothy L. Cargol, McLean, VA (US)
Assigned to Spectrohm, Inc., Tysons Corner, VA (US)
Filed by Spectrohm, Inc., Tysons Corner, VA (US)
Filed on Dec. 17, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/718,106.
Application 16/718,106 is a continuation of application No. 16/378,425, filed on Apr. 8, 2019, granted, now 10,542,906.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/781,846, filed on Dec. 19, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/662,594, filed on Apr. 25, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2020/0121217 A1, Apr. 23, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61B 5/05 (2021.01); A61B 5/00 (2006.01); A61B 5/053 (2021.01); A61B 5/0536 (2021.01)
CPC A61B 5/0536 (2013.01) [A61B 5/0002 (2013.01); A61B 2562/0223 (2013.01)] 24 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A tomographic system comprising:
at least one source of electromagnetic energy; and
external means for guiding an electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic energy in a spatial direction along a prescribed path such that the electromagnetic field propagates at a speed (Vprop) in the spatial direction along the prescribed path, and for regulating the speed at which the electromagnetic field propagates in the spatial direction to match that at which the electromagnetic field propagates intrinsically through a spatial region of an inhomogeneous dielectric specimen situated in the prescribed path, thereby causing the electromagnetic field to propagate through the spatial region in a transverse mode,
the external means comprising a plurality of conductors electrically connected to the at least one source of electromagnetic energy, the plurality of conductors having surfaces disposed externally of and facing the prescribed path and arranged to guide the electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic energy in the spatial direction,
lines of an electric field of the electromagnetic field extending in directions orthogonal to the surfaces of the plurality of the conductors with the electromagnetic field propagating in said transverse mode, and
the tomographic system having a plurality of measurement points at which electrical measurements at different points along the prescribed path are respectively taken, the electrical measurements being indicative of dielectric characteristics of the spatial region of the inhomogeneous dielectric specimen located in the prescribed path.