Patent ID: 7033321

Claim:
An ultrasonic tissue water content monitor comprising: a first ultrasonic means, a second ultrasonic means, and an adjustable support system to hold said first ultrasonic means and said second ultrasonic means against said tissue at a known distance therebetween, said adjustable support system including: a first bearing tube having a first end and a second end and defining a first distance therebetween, said first end supporting said first ultrasonic means, a second bearing tube having a first end and a second end and defining a second distance therebetween, said first end supporting said second ultrasonic means, and a rotary hinge with an angle sensor, said hinge attached to said second end of said first bearing tube and said second end of said second bearing tube to hingedly connect said both bearing tubes, said angle sensor providing angle information of said first bearing tube relative to said second bearing tube, whereby the distance between said first and second ultrasonic means can be calculated from said known first distance, said second distance and said angle information.