Miniature Deep Thermal Imager for Continuous Monitoring of BAT Metabolism

描述(申请人提供)：这项研究的长期目标是创造一种微型绷带大小的非侵入性深层组织热传感器，对身体深处组织温度的变化敏感。本项目的目的是开发一种低成本、无害的新工具，用于长期监测人棕色脂肪组织(BAT)的代谢活动。进行这项研究的基本原理是，目前还没有有效和可靠的方法来连续监测像棕色脂肪组织(BAT)这样存在于小型多焦点仓库中的分布式器官的能量消耗。我们打算通过追求以下三个具体目标来实现我们的目标： 目的1：设计并制作一种微型辐射传感器，用于组织表面4 cm以内的热不规则性的非侵入性测量。该传感器将需要开发：1.1)适当的BAT解剖、热和电磁模型，1.2)可有效耦合到典型BAT区域的低轮廓微波天线，以及1.3)低功耗集成芯片电子设备(例如HEMT前置放大器、功率探测器、超低损耗MEM开关、精密A/D转换器)。 目标2：将目标1中优化的所有组件集成到粘合绷带大小的贴片传感器中，包括辐射计电路、EMI屏蔽、电池电源和无线遥测链路。这种安装在接收天线背面的小型化多芯片电路需要优化功耗、热稳定性和无线通信，以便远程记录长时间段(几小时到几天)的温度变化。 目的3：从传感体积、温度测量的准确性和稳定性、电磁干扰抑制和无误差遥测等方面对微波辐射传感器的性能进行表征。量化监测和遥测天线的天线辐射方向图，并将多波段辐射计的温度敏感度量化为目标大小和组织深度以及多层BAT模体中高于核心温度的差异的函数--为后续在人体上使用做准备。 预期的结果是一种轻质、粘性绷带包裹、安全和无痛的热监测传感器，适用于需要组织能量产生或利用的长期特征的临床研究。由此产生的技术应该可以很容易地转化为热监测应用，而不是这笔赠款。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term goal of this research is to create a miniature bandage-size non-invasive deep tissue thermal sensor that is sensitive to changes in tissue temperature at depth in the body. The objective of this project is to develop a low cost and harmless new tool for long term monitoring of metabolic activity of human brown adipose tissue (BAT). The rationale for undertaking this development is that there is currently no effective and reliable method for continuous monitoring of energy expenditure of a distributed organ like Brown Adipose Tissue (BAT) which is present in small multifocal depots. We intend to accomplish our objective by pursuing the following three specific aims: Aim 1: Design and fabricate a miniature radiometric sensor suitable for non-invasive measurement of thermal irregularities within 4 cm of the tissue surface. This sensor will require development of: 1.1) appropriate anatomical, thermal and electromagnetic models of BAT, 1.2) low profile microwave antenna with effective coupling to typical BAT regions, and 1.3) low power consumption integrated chip electronics (e.g. HEMT preamplifier, power detector, ultralow loss MEM switch, precision A/D converter). Aim 2: Integrate all components optimized in Aim 1 into an adhesive bandage-size patch sensor including radiometer circuitry, EMI shielding, battery power source, and wireless telemetry link. This miniaturized multichip circuit mounted on the back side ground plane of the receive antenna will require optimization of power consumption, thermal stability, and wireless communication for remote recording of temperature change over long time periods (hours to days) Aim 3: Characterize performance of microwave radiometric sensor in terms of sensing volume, accuracy and stability of temperature measurements, EMI rejection, and error free telemetry. Quantify antenna radiation patterns of the monitoring and telemetry antennas, and quantify temperature sensitivity of the multiband radiometer as functions of target size and depth in tissue and difference above core temperature in multilayer BAT phantoms - in preparation for subsequent use in humans. The expected outcome is a lightweight, adhesive bandage encased, safe and painless thermal monitoring sensor useful for clinical studies requiring long term characterization of energy production or utilization in tissue. The resulting technology should translate readily to thermal monitoring applications beyond this grant.