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In this study, we present a tomography-based control system for a rehabilitation robot using a novel approach to assess advancement and a dynamic model of the system. In this model, the torque generated by the robot and the impedance of the patient's hand are used to determine each step of the rehabilitation. In the proposed control architecture, a regression model is developed and implemented based on the extraction of tomography signals to estimate the muscles state. During the rehabilitation session, the torque applied by the patient is adjusted according to this estimation. The first step of this protocol is to calculate the subject-specific parameters. These include the axis offset, inertia parameters, passive damping and stiffness. The second step involves identifying the other elements of the model, such as the torque resulting from interaction. In this case, the robot will calculate the torque generated by the patient. The developed robot-based solution and the suggested protocol were tested on different participants and showed promising results. First, the prediction of the impedance–position relationship was evaluated, and the prediction was below 2% error. Then, different participants with different impedances were tested, and the results showed that the control system controlled the force and position for each participant individually. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the inverse geometrical problem of identifying the discontinuity curve of an electrical conductivity from boundary measurements. This standard inverse problem is used as a model to introduce and study a combined inversion algorithm coupling a gradient descent on the Kohn-Vogelius cost functional with a domain decomposition method that includes the unknown curve in the domain partitioning. We prove the local convergence of the method in a simplified case and numerically show its efficiency for some two dimensional experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancement in wearable and robot-assisted healthcare technology gives rise to the demand for smart interfaces that allow more efficient human-machine interaction. In this paper, a hydrogel-based soft sensor for subtle touch detection is proposed. Adopting the working principle of a biomedical imaging technology known as electrical impedance tomography (EIT), the sensor produces images that display the electrical conductivity distribution of its sensitive region to enable touch detection. The sensor was made from a natural gelatin hydrogel whose electrical conductivity is considerably less than that of human skin. The low conductivity of the sensor enabled a touch-detection mechanism based on a novel short-circuiting approach, which resulted in the reconstructed images being predominantly affected by the electrical contact between the sensor and fingertips, rather than the conventionally used piezoresistive response of the sensing material. The experimental results indicated that the proposed sensor was promising for detecting subtle contacts without the necessity of exerting a noticeable force on the sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we present a tomography-based control system for a rehabilitation robot using a novel approach to assess advancement and a dynamic model of the system. In this model, the torque generated by the robot and the impedance of the patient’s hand are used to determine each step of the rehabilitation. In the proposed control architecture, a regression model is developed and implemented based on the extraction of tomography signals to estimate the muscles state. During the rehabilitation session, the torque applied by the patient is adjusted according to this estimation. The first step of this protocol is to calculate the subject-specific parameters. These include the axis offset, inertia parameters, passive damping and stiffness. The second step involves identifying the other elements of the model, such as the torque resulting from interaction. In this case, the robot will calculate the torque generated by the patient. The developed robot-based solution and the suggested protocol were tested on different participants and showed promising results. First, the prediction of the impedance–position relationship was evaluated, and the prediction was below 2% error. Then, different participants with different impedances were tested, and the results showed that the control system controlled the force and position for each participant individually.

Super-resolution imaging is a family of techniques in which multiple lower-resolution images can be merged to produce a single image at higher resolution. While super-resolution is often applied to optical systems, it can also be used with other imaging modalities. Here we demonstrate a 512 × 256 CMOS sensor array for micro-scale super-resolution electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (SR-EIS) imaging. The system is implemented in standard 180 nm CMOS technology with a 10 $\mu$ m × 10 $\mu$ m pixel size. The sensor array is designed to measure the mutual capacitance between programmable sets of pixel pairs. Multiple spatially-resolved impedance images can then be computationally combined to generate a super-resolution impedance image. We use finite-element electrostatic simulations to support the proposed measurement approach and discuss straightforward algorithms for super-resolution image reconstruction. We present experimental measurements of sub-cellular permittivity distribution within single green algae cells, showing the sensor’s capability to produce microscale impedance images with sub-pixel resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impedance measuring acquisition systems focused on breast tumor detection, as well as image processing techniques for 3D imaging, are reviewed in this paper in order to define potential opportunity areas for future research. The description of reported works using electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-based techniques and methodologies for 3D bioimpedance imaging of breast tissues with tumors is presented. The review is based on searching and analyzing related works reported in the most important research databases and is structured according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) parameters and statements. Nineteen papers reporting breast tumor detection and location using EIT were systematically selected and analyzed in this review. Clinical trials in the experimental stage did not produce results in most of analyzed proposals (about 80%), wherein statistical criteria comparison was not possible, such as specificity, sensitivity and predictive values. A 3D representation of bioimpedance is a potential tool for medical applications in malignant breast tumors detection being capable to estimate an ap-proximate the tumor volume and geometric location, in contrast with a tumor area computing capacity, but not the tumor extension depth, in a 2D representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancement in wearable and robot-assisted healthcare technology gives rise to the demand for smart interfaces that allow more efficient human-machine interaction. In this paper, a hydrogel-based soft sensor for subtle touch detection is proposed. Adopting the working principle of a biomedical imaging technology known as electrical impedance tomography (EIT), the sensor produces images that display the electrical conductivity distribution of its sensitive region to enable touch detection. The sensor was made from a natural gelatin hydrogel whose electrical conductivity is considerably less than that of human skin. The low conductivity of the sensor enabled a touch-detection mechanism based on a novel short-circuiting approach, which resulted in the reconstructed images being predominantly affected by the electrical contact between the sensor and fingertips, rather than the conventionally used piezoresistive response of the sensing material. The experimental results indicated that the proposed sensor was promising for detecting subtle contacts without the necessity of exerting a noticeable force on the sensor.

Electrical resistance tomography (ERT) is an inferential imaging technique that has shown promising results for enabling large-area tactile sensors constructed from a piezoresistive sheet. The performance of such sensors is improved by increasing the number of electrodes, but the number of measurements and the computational cost also increase. In this article, we propose a new measurement algorithm for ERT-based tactile sensors: it adaptively changes the measurement pattern to be optimal for the present external stimulus. Regions of normal pressure are first detected by a base measurement pattern that maximizes the distinguishability of local conductivity changes. When a new contact is detected, a set of local patterns is selectively recruited near the pressed region to acquire more detailed information. For fast and parallel execution, the proposed algorithm is implemented with a field-programmable gate array. It is validated through indentation experiments on an ERT-based sensor that has 32 electrodes. The optimized base pattern of 100 measurements enabled a frame rate five times faster than before. Transmitting only detected contact events reduced the idle data rate to 0.5% of its original value. The pattern adapted to new contacts with a latency of only 80 μs and an accuracy of 99.5%, enabling efficient, high-quality real-time reconstruction of complex multicontact conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nanoengineered fabric capable of densely distributed pressure sensing is presented. Piezoresistive carbon nanotube-latex thin films were spray-coated and integrated with fabric to form robust, flexible, and deformable sensors. Spatial pressure sensing was achieved and validated experimentally using an electrical impedance tomography algorithm, which was able to estimate the resistivity distribution of the fabric and its changes due to applied pressure at different locations.

The technique of electrical impedance tomography (EIT) has been recognized as a promising method to design tactile sensors with continuous sensing capability over a large area. The mechanism of electrical impedance tomography allows reconstructing tactile information within the sensing area based on measurements made only at the boundary. However, spatial performance of EIT-based tactile sensors has demonstrated location dependency, which severely affects correct interpretation of tactile stimuli. Here, we analyzed the effect of hyperparameter on the spatial performance, in terms of amplitude, size, position error, and shape deformation in the reconstructed images. To obtain uniform sensitivity throughout the entire sensing area, we developed an intensity scaling method to correct reconstructed amplitudes based on simulation studies. A diagonal scaling matrix was developed for a symmetric circular sensing area, and the scaling value were constructed according to the radial positions of the finite elements. The correction method was further evaluated on a compliant EIT-based touch sensor made of polymer filled composites with underlying paddings. We found that the developed method effectively produced a more uniform sensitivity distribution, and improved spatial profiles of shape deformation. The findings shown here help better interpret the strength information of tactile stimuli located at different positions of large area EIT-based sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impedance measuring acquisition systems focused on breast tumor detection, as well as image processing techniques for 3D imaging, are reviewed in this paper in order to define potential opportunity areas for future research. The description of reported works using electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-based techniques and methodologies for 3D bioimpedance imaging of breast tissues with tumors is presented. The review is based on searching and analyzing related works reported in the most important research databases and is structured according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) parameters and statements. Nineteen papers reporting breast tumor detection and location using EIT were systematically selected and analyzed in this review. Clinical trials in the experimental stage did not produce results in most of analyzed proposals (about 80%), wherein statistical criteria comparison was not possible, such as specificity, sensitivity and predictive values. A 3D representation of bioimpedance is a potential tool for medical applications in malignant breast tumors detection being capable to estimate an ap-proximate the tumor volume and geometric location, in contrast with a tumor area computing capacity, but not the tumor extension depth, in a 2D representation.

Transthoracic lung ultrasound can assess atelectasis reversal and is considered as unable to detect associated hyperdistention. In this study, we describe an ultrasound pattern highly suggestive of pulmonary hyperdistention. Eighteen patients with normal lungs undergoing lower abdominal surgery were studied. Electrical impedance tomography was calibrated, followed by anaesthetic induction, intubation and mechanical ventilation. To reverse posterior atelectasis, a recruitment manoeuvre was performed. Positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP) titration was then obtained during a descending trial – 20, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10, 8, 6 and 4 cmH 2 O. Ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography data were collected at each PEEP level and interpreted by two independent observers. Spearman correlation test and receiving operating characteristic curve were used to compare lung ultrasound and electrical impedance tomography data. The number of horizontal A lines increased linearly with PEEP: from 3 (0, 5) at PEEP 4 cmH 2 O to 10 (8, 13) at PEEP 20 cmH 2 O. The increase number of A lines was associated with a parallel and significant decrease in intercostal space thickness (p = 0.001). The lung ultrasound threshold for detecting pulmonary hyperdistention was defined as the number of A lines counted at the PEEP preceding the PEEP providing the best respiratory compliance. Six A lines was the median threshold for detecting pulmonary hyperdistention. The area under the receiving operating characteristic curve was 0.947. Intraoperative transthoracic lung ultrasound can detect lung hyperdistention during a PEEP descending trial. Six or more A lines detected in normally aerated regions can be considered as indicating lung hyperdistention. Trial registration: NCT02314845 Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three‐dimensional (3D) cell culture has developed rapidly over the past 5–10 years with the goal of better replicating human physiology and tissue complexity in the laboratory. Quantifying cellular responses is fundamental in understanding how cells and tissues respond during their growth cycle and in response to external stimuli. There is a need to develop and validate tools that can give insight into cell number, viability, and distribution in real‐time, nondestructively and without the use of stains or other labelling processes. Impedance spectroscopy can address all of these challenges and is currently used both commercially and in academic laboratories to measure cellular processes in 2D cell culture systems. However, its use in 3D cultures is not straight forward due to the complexity of the electrical circuit model of 3D tissues. In addition, there are challenges in the design and integration of electrodes within 3D cell culture systems. Researchers have used a range of strategies to implement impedance spectroscopy in 3D systems. This review examines electrode design, integration, and outcomes of a range of impedance spectroscopy studies and multiparametric systems relevant to 3D cell cultures. While these systems provide whole culture data, impedance tomography approaches have shown how this technique can be used to achieve spatial resolution. This review demonstrates how impedance spectroscopy and tomography can be used to provide real‐time sensing in 3D cell cultures, but challenges remain in integrating electrodes without affecting cell culture functionality. If these challenges can be addressed and more realistic electrical models for 3D tissues developed, the implementation of impedance‐based systems will be able to provide real‐time, quantitative tracking of 3D cell culture systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a proximity imaging sensor based on a tomographic approach with a low-cost conductive sheet. Particularly, by defining capacitance density, physical proximity information is transformed into electric potential. A novel theoretical model is developed to solve the capacitance density problem using the tomographic approach. Additionally, a prototype is built and tested based on the model, and the system solves an inverse problem for imaging the capacitance density change that indicates the object’s proximity change. In the evaluation test, the prototype reaches an error rate of 10.0–15.8% in horizontal localization at different heights. Finally, a hand-tracking demonstration is carried out, where a position difference of 33.8–46.7 mm between the proposed sensor and depth camera is achieved at 30 fps.

Electrical impedance tomography is a noninvasive and cost-effective imaging method that is increasingly attractive in the field of medical diagnostics. Several health conditions, such as stroke and solid tumors, are characterized by compact conductivity anomalies surrounded by a fairly regular background. Commonly employed voxel-by-voxel reconstruction methods for impedance imaging share the disadvantages of high computational cost and substantial sensitivity to measurement noise and imperfections in the electrical model describing the domain of interest. We present a special purpose algorithm for automatic detection and identification of compact conductivity variations. The technique exploits a priori structural information and, by reconstructing only the limited number of parameters required to describe a compact conductivity contrast, does not depend on a critical regularization parameter. The most demanding kernels are implemented to run on graphics processing units to accelerate computation. The parametric reconstruction is quicker and more robust than widely employed approaches with respect to measurement noise and imperfections in the electrical model, as shown by computational analysis performed on a segmented head domain and experimental measurements acquired on a cylindrical phantom. When the goal is quick detection of compact conductivity contrasts in complex 3-D domains, the inclusion of specific constraints relating to the problem considered leads to enhanced quality of reconstruction, making the presented technique a promising alternative to common voxel-by-voxel reconstruction methods. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Non-invasive estimation of bladder volume could help patients with impaired bladder volume sensation to determine the right moment for catheterisation. Continuous, non-invasive impedance measurement is a promising technology in this scenario, although influences of body posture and unknown urine conductivity limit wide clinical use today. We studied impedance changes related to bladder volume by simulation, in-vitro and in-vivo measurements with pigs. In this work, we present a method to reduce the influence of urine conductivity to cystovolumetry and bring bioimpedance cystovolumetry closer to a clinical application.

This paper introduces new possibilities within two-dimensional reconstruction of internal conductivity distribution. In addition to the electric field inside the given object, the injected current causes a magnetic field which can be measured either outside the object by means of a Hall probe or inside the object through magnetic resonance imaging. The Magnetic Resonance method, together with Electrical impedance tomography (MREIT), is well known as a bio-imaging modality providing cross-sectional conductivity images with a good spatial resolution from the measurements of internal magnetic flux density produced by externally injected currents. A new algorithm for the conductivity reconstruction, which utilizes the internal current information with respect to corresponding boundary conditions and the external magnetic field, was developed. A series of computer simulations has been conducted to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm within the process of estimating electrical conductivity changes in the lungs, heart, and brain tissues captured in two-dimensional piecewise homogeneous chest and head models. The reconstructed conductivity distribution using the proposed method is compared with that using a conventional method based on Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). The acquired experience is discussed and the direction of further research is proposed.

The advantages of noninvasive, fast speed, low-cost, and nonionizing radiation hazard have made electrical impedance tomography (EIT) an attractive imaging technology in geological, medical, and industrial applications. However, the EIT image has low spatial resolution due to the limited number of independent measurements and soft-field property. Focused on the fact that, in some applications, the conductivity variation exists only in part of the sensing field, this paper proposes a new strategy to enhance the image quality by restricting the image reconstruction within a region of interest (RROI). Compared with the conventional image reconstruction over the entire sensing field, the proposed strategy of RROI can improve regional image resolution effectively without increasing the number of electrodes and the complexity of the data acquisition system. The implementation of a conventional sensitivity-theorem-based conjugate gradient algorithm with the proposed RROI strategy is presented, and the improvement of image spatial resolution in region of interest is demonstrated by both simulations and phantom experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a general formulation of hybrid inverse problems in impedance tomography the Picard and Newton iterative schemes are adapted and four iterative reconstruction algorithms are developed. The general problem formulation includes several existing hybrid imaging modalities such as current density impedance imaging, magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography, and ultrasound modulated electrical impedance tomography, and the unified approach to the reconstruction problem encompasses several algorithms suggested in the literature. The four proposed algorithms are implemented numerically in two dimensions and the properties of the algorithms and the implementations are investigated, both theoretically and on simulated data obtained from a numerical phantom. The numerical results show similarities and differences between the proposed algorithms, and they justify that the choice of algorithm should be based on a theoretical analysis of the underlying inverse problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed study is undertaken to investigate the performance and phenomenology of electrical impedance tomography for underwater applications. Experiments are performed in an aquarium tank filled with water and a sediment layer. A 64-electrode square array, appropriately scaled down in size, and a previously developed data acquisition system are used. An evaluation is conducted of the ability to detect compact objects buried at various depths in the sediment, with different horizontal separations, and at various vertical separations between the electrode array and the sediment layer. The objects include metallic and nonmetallic mine-like objects and inert ammunition projectiles, all appropriately scaled down in size. The effects of a number of other physical factors are studied, including sediment type, water turbidity and salinity, and object coating integrity and rusting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A desirable feature of an electrical capacitance tomography system is the adaptation possibility to any sensor configuration and measurement mode. A run-time reconfiguration of a system for electrical capacitance tomography is presented. An original mechanism is elaborated to reconfigure, on the fly, a modular EVT4 system with multiple FPGAs installed. The outlined system architecture is based on FPGA programmable logic devices (Xilinx Spartan) and PicoBlaze soft-core processors. Soft-core processors are used for communication, measurement control and data preprocessing. A novel method of FPGA partial reconfiguration is described, in which a PicoBlaze soft-core processor is used as a reconfiguration controller. Behavioral reconfiguration of the system is obtained by providing run-time access to the program code of a soft-core control processor. The tests using EVT4 hardware and different algorithms for tomographic scanning were performed. A test object was measured using 2D and 3D sensors. The time and resources required for the examined reconfiguration procedure are evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces new possibilities within two-dimensional reconstruction of internal conductivity distribution. A new algorithm for the conductivity reconstruction was developed. This algorithm utilizes the internal current information with respect to corresponding boundary conditions and the induced magnetic field measured outside the object. A series of computer simulations has been conducted to assess the performance of the proposed algorithm within the process of estimating electrical conductivity changes in the lungs, heart, and brain tissues captured in two-dimensional piecewise homogeneous chest and head models. The reconstructed conductivity distribution using the proposed method is compared with that using a conventional method based on Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). The acquired experience is discussed and the direction of further research is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we describe a method to compute generalized polarization tensors. These tensors are the coefficients appearing in the multipolar expansion of the steady-state voltage perturbation caused by an inhomogeneity of constant conductivity. As an alternative to the integral equation approach, we propose an approximate semi-algebraic method which is easy to implement. This method has been integrated in a Myriapole, a Matlab routine with a graphical interface which makes such computations available to non-numerical analysts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This personal essay described the development of the field of Biomedical Engineering from its early days, from the perspective of one who lived through that development. It describes the making of a major invention using data that had been rejected by other scientists, the re-discovery of an obscure fact of physiology and its use in developing a major medical instrument, the development of a new medical imaging modality, and the near-death rescue of a research project. The essay concludes with comments about the development and present status of impedance imaging, and recent changes in the evolution of biomedical engineering as a field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates backscatter data for the inverse obstacle problem in impedance tomography, when the obstacles are small. It is shown that under this circumstance the backscatter data are close approximations of a rational function that has second or fourth order poles at the locations of the obstacles. Furthermore, a numerical method is presented to locate the obstacles via the poles of certain Laurent-Padé approximations. Numerical experiments explore the potential of this algorithm also for extended obstacles, taking into consideration that the problem is severely ill-posed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymeric thin-film assemblies whose bulk electrical conductivity and mechanical performance have been enhanced by single-walled carbon nanotubes are proposed for measuring strain and corrosion activity in metallic structural systems. Similar to the dermatological system found in animals, the proposed self-sensing thin-film assembly supports spatial strain and pH sensing via localized changes in electrical conductivity. Specifically, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is used to create detailed mappings of film conductivity over its complete surface area using electrical measurements taken at the film boundary. While EIT is a powerful means of mapping the sensing skin's spatial response, it requires a data acquisition system capable of taking electrical impedance measurements on a large number of electrodes. A low-cost wireless impedance analyzer is proposed to fully automate EIT data acquisition. The key attribute of the device is a flexible sinusoidal waveform generator capable of generating regulated current signals with frequencies from near-DC to 20 MHz. Furthermore, a multiplexed sensing interface offers 32 addressable channels from which voltage measurements can be made. A wireless interface is included to eliminate the cumbersome wiring often required for data acquisition in a structure. The functionality of the wireless impedance analyzer is illustrated on an experimental setup with the system used for automated acquisition of electrical impedance measurements taken on the boundary of a bio-inspired sensing skin recently proposed for structural health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of thermal ablation technique and, in particular, of the radiofrequency ablation (RFA), has become widely used in the treatment of solid tumors. The use of optimization methods to plan the therapy is among the emerging fields of interests. Monitoring of the ablative treatment by using electrical impedance tomography (EIT), allowing real time observations with no ionizing radiations and at low cost, is also considered a relevant goal. In this paper, a proposal for an adaptive RFA treatment based on multiple external electrodes and EIT images is presented. In particular, the distribution of Ohmic power deposition is optimized by controlling the current pattern on multiple external electrodes in such a way to achieve a suitable temperature rise in the tumour volume limiting it at the same time in healthy tissues. The optimization of the RFA heating is based on the knowledge of the electric properties of living tissues; the well known uncertain knowledge of this parameter is at least partially resolved by generating online EIT images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the problem of recovering the coefficient σ(x) of the elliptic equation ▿·(σ▿u) = 0 in a body from measurements of the Cauchy data on possibly very small subsets of its surface. We give a constructive proof of a uniqueness result by Kenig, Sjostrand, and Uhlmann. We construct a uniquely specified family of solutions such that their traces on the boundary can be calculated by solving an integral equation which involves only the given partial Cauchy data. The construction entails a new family of Green's functions for the Laplacian, and corresponding single layer potentials, which may be of independent interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging modality that currently shows promise for the detection and characterization of breast cancer. A very significant problem in EIT imaging is the proper modeling of the interface between the body and the electrodes. We have found empirically that it is very difficult, in a clinical setting, to assure that all electrodes make satisfactory contact with the body. In addition, we have observed a capacitive effect at the skin/electrode boundary that is spatially heterogeneous. To compensate for these problems, we have developed a hybrid nonlinear-linear reconstruction algorithm using the complete electrode model in which we first estimate electrode surface impedances, by means of a Levenberg-Marquardt iterative optimization procedure with an analytically computed Jacobian matrix. We, subsequently, use a linearized algorithm to perform a 3-D reconstruction of perturbations in both contact impedances, and in the spatial distributions of conductivity and permittivity. Results show that, with this procedure, artifacts due to electrodes making poor contact can be greatly reduced. If the experimental apparatus physically applies voltages and measures currents, we show that it is preferable to compute the reconstruction with respect to the Dirichlet-to-Neumann map rather than the Neumann-to-Dirichlet map if there is a significant possibility that electrodes will be fully disconnected. Finally, we test our electrode compensation algorithms for a set of clinical data, showing that we can significantly improve the fit of our model to the measurements by allowing the electrode surface impedances to vary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-time monitoring of hyperthermia treatments for liver cancers by noninvasive techniques was investigated in the last two decades. Among the proposed techniques, Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) arises particular interest for its low cost and sensitivity to tissues parameter changes to be detected. In this paper, an approach based on the intensive but critical exploitation of prior information is proposed and a preconditioning method of the impedance measurements based on a sensitivity analysis is assessed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the two-dimensional inverse electrical impedance problem for piecewise constant conductivities with the data given in terms of the complete electrode model. Our approach is based on a system of non-linear integral equations arising from Green's representation formula from which the unknown conductivities and the unknown shapes of the interfaces are obtained iteratively via linearization. The method is an extension of our previous work for the case of classical data in terms of full Cauchy data on ∂D. This in turn originated from a method that has been suggested by Kress and Rundell for the case of a perfectly conducting inclusion. For the choice of the regularization parameters occurring in the algorithm, we propose an evolutionary algorithm and the initial guess for the iterations is obtained through employing a Newton-type finite element method. We describe the method in detail and illustrate its feasibility by numerical examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT), currents are injected into an object, the resulting magnetic flux density is measured using MRI, and the conductivity distribution reconstructed using these MRI data. The relatively long acquisition times of conventional MREIT methods limit the signal averaging rate and are susceptible to motion artifacts. In this study, we reconstructed the conductivity distribution of an agarose gel phantom from data acquired in under a minute using a single-shot, spin echo, echo planar imaging (SS-SEPI) pulse sequence. The results demonstrate that SS-SEPI can be used for MREIT data acquisition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present a novel, inexpensive, and fast microimpedance tomography system for two-dimensional imaging of cell and tissue cultures. The system is based on four-electrode measurements using 16 planar microelectrodes (5 μm×4 mm) integrated into a culture chamber. An Agilent 4294A impedance analyzer combined with a front-end amplifier is used for the impedance measurements. Two-dimensional images are obtained using a reconstruction algorithm. This system is capable of accurately resolving the shape and position of a human hair, yielding vertical cross sections of the object. Human epithelial stem cells (YF 29) are also grown directly on the device surface. Tissue growth can be followed over several days. A rapid resistivity decrease caused by permeabilized cell membranes is also monitored, suggesting that this technique can be used in electroporation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A simple multi-contact measurement method, which can be used to map the electrical resistivity of small disc-shaped samples of conducting polymer during temperature ageing, was examined for its resolution and accuracy. The method is based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT), which is used especially in medicine to visualise boundaries between areas having different electrical resistivities. In order to eliminate experimental errors, a computer simulation was used for testing. The time series of resistivity maps were recorded during ageing of real polymer samples. The contour maps and their time development are presented graphically and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A new noninvasive system for multimodal electrical tomography based on electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) sensor hardware is proposed. Quasistatic electromagnetic fields are produced by ECT sensors and used for interrogating the sensing domain. The new system is noninvasive and based on capacitance measurements for permittivity and power balance measurements for conductivity (impedance) imaging. A dual sensitivity map of perturbations in permittivity and conductivity is constructed. The measured data along with the sensitivity matrix are used for the actual image reconstruction. The new multimodal tomography system has the advantage of using already established reconstruction techniques, and the potential for combination with new reconstruction techniques by taking advantage of combined conductivity/permittivity data. Moreover, it does not require direct contact between the sensor and the region of interest. The system performance has been tested on representative data, producing good results [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Two types of multi-electrode sensors (with conducting and insulating walls), used in the impedance tomography systems, have been considered theoretically using finite element analysis (FEA). The distribution of potentials and current densities (field analysis) has been studied, assuming that sensors were supplied from current source. Potential differences between the adjacent electrodes and between electrodes and conducting wall, for sensors with insulating or conducting wall, respectively, were determined as a function of distance of measuring electrodes from supplying ones. Analysis of the influence of inhomogeneity location, for both types of the sensors, on measured potential differences has been carried out. On the basis of FEA results, semi-distributed, and then lumped parameter models of the sensors have been proposed. Character of variations of measured potential differences, caused by an inhomogeneity, is intelligible very well in terms of the derived models. Furthermore, the models allow estimation of the influence of frequency of measuring signal on the measured potential differences. Results of the theoretical analysis have been evaluated experimentally and a good agreement between theory and experiment has been obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A prototype confirmation landmine detector, based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT), which can operate under realistic environmental conditions, has been developed. Laboratory and field experiments demonstrated that it is possible to reliably reconstruct, on the scale of the electrode spacing (ES) (in width and depth), conductivity perturbations due to a shallow buried antitank mine or a similar object in a variety of soils (black earth, clay, sand) down to depths equal to the dimensions of the object (1–1.5 ES, equivalent to 14–21 cm for a 64-electrode 1 m × 1 m array). These represent the first EIT images of real landmines computed from measured data. Occasional problems were encountered with the electrical contact in very dry soils, with excessive insertion pressure being required for reliable electrode contact. However, poor contacts could be detected, and the offending probe was either reinserted or compensation was applied. A matched filter detection algorithm based on a replica of the object of interest was developed and shown to effectively reduce the false alarm rate of the detector. EIT is especially suited for wet lands and underwater, where other mine detectors perform poorly. Experiments in a water-and sediment-filled tank have demonstrated that detection of minelike objects in such an environment with a submerged array is feasible. These experiments represent the first EIT measurements of targets using an electrode array submerged underwater. EIT may also have an application in locating intact mines in the berms formed by mine-clearing equipment. The EIT sensor head could be made cheaply enough to be disposable and remotely inserted to improve safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]