Apparatus and method for continuous noninvasive measurement of respiratory function and events

Abstract

An apparatus and method for non-invasive and continuous measurement of respiratory chamber volume and associated parameters including respiratory rate, respiratory rhythm, tidal volume, dielectric variability and respiratory congestion. In particular, a non-invasive apparatus and method for determining dynamic and structural physiologic data from a living subject including a change in the spatial configuration of a respiratory chamber, a lung or a lobe of a lung to determine overall respiratory health comprising an ultra wide-band radar system having at least one transmitting and receiving antenna for applying ultra wide-band radio signals to a target area of the subject's anatomy wherein the receiving antenna collects and transmits signal returns from the target area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for determining a change in the spatial configuration of a lung by interrogating the lung with electromagnetic energy, comprising:
 at least one antenna adapted to be located adjacent a portion of the lung; and   a sensing unit capable of resolving a change in reflected signals, wherein said sensing unit of the apparatus is capable of resolving a change in reflected signals that are functionally related to a change in respiratory volume.