Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-09-04
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S476000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285904
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of determining properties of tissue, specifically characterizing meat as to fat and lean content and thickness.
Automated trimming of fat from meat is difficult without a sensor capable of accurately indicating the thickness of a fat layer to be trimmed. Automated detection of unsuitable fat content of meat products similarly requires a sensor capable of accurately indicating the fat content of the meat. Existing sensors are inadequate. See, e.g., Roper, U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,713.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining characteristics of tissue. The method comprises supplying optical energy to a tissue and detecting at a plurality of locations consequent energy scattered by the tissue. Analysis of the scattered energy as taught herein can provide information concerning the properties of the tissue, specifically information related to the fat and lean content of the tissue.
A sensor according to the present invention comprises a light source adapted to deliver optical energy to a tissue. A plurality of detectors can be mounted at different positions relative to the source to detect energy scattered by the tissue. A signal processor as taught herein can determine characteristics of the tissue from the signals from the detectors and locations of the detectors.
Advantages and novel features will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
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Cui; Ostrander, “The Relationship of Surface Reflectance Measurements to Optical Properties of Layered Biological Media, ” IEEE Transactions of Biomedical Engineering, vol. 39, No. 2, Feb. 1992.
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Bryan Jon R.
Dickey Fred M.
Gooris Luc
Shagam Richard N.
Spletzer Barry L.
Grafe V. Gerald
Lateef Marvin M.
Qaderi Runa Shah
Sandia Corporation
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