Electrode ring for electrical impedance imaging and electrical impedance imaging system

Abstract

The invention discloses an electrode ring for electrical impedance imaging and an electrical impedance imaging system. The electrode ring comprises a metal ring, a filler, an elastic fabric, a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of electrode wires, wherein the diameter of the metal ring can be adjusted under the condition that the metal ring is of a circular structure; the filler is arranged between the metal ring and the elastic fabric; the elastic fabric covers the metal ring, the filler and the plurality of electrodes; the plurality of electrode wires are wrapped among the fillers, are converged together and then are led out of an electrode band to be connected with an external electrical impedance imaging system; the plurality of electrodes are fixed on the surface of the elastic fabric at equal intervals, each electrode is connected by a corresponding electrode wire, and the electrodes are not connected with one another. The electrode ring designed by the invention can freely stretch in different limb diameter ranges, the problem that the electrode distance is not fixed in the existing electrical impedance tomography electrode technology is solved, and the wearing comfort and the signal acquisition stability are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of neuromuscular physiological detection, and more particularly, to an electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography and an electrical impedance tomography system. Background Art

[0002] Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) technology is a new imaging technology that infers the conductivity, permittivity, and impedance of a part of the body from the surface electrode measurement results and is used to form a tomographic image of that part. This technology has the advantages of non-invasiveness, repeatability, low cost, and functional imaging, making it widely used in fields such as biomedicine, agricultural geology, and industrial inspection.

[0003] In addition to the most basic advantages of electrical impedance imaging technology, such as low cost, portability, and no radiation, electrical impedance imaging also has the characteristic of high temporal resolution, which can achieve continuous monitoring imaging and is beneficial to capturing the dynamic changes of muscle activity. This is very valuable for studying the responses and states of muscles in different exercise states. By real-time monitoring the impedance changes of muscles, the timing and pattern of muscle activity can be analyzed in detail, revealing the dynamic characteristics during muscle contraction and relaxation.

[0004] Electrical Impedance Tomography reconstructs an image of the conductivity or impedance distribution in the body by applying a small alternating current (usually in the frequency range from a few kHz to several hundred kHz) on the body surface and then measuring the voltage differences between multiple positions. In the medical field, Electrical Impedance Tomography can be used to monitor the functional states of organs such as the lungs and heart, as well as detect changes in the morphology and properties of muscle tissues. Generally speaking, the basic principle of Electrical Impedance Tomography includes the following processes:

[0005] 1) Current injection: The EIT system includes an electrode ring that surrounds a part of the body. The current is injected into the human body through a selected pair or multiple pairs of electrodes. These currents are safe small-amplitude alternating currents that will not cause harm to the human body.

[0006] 2) Voltage measurement: When the current passes through different tissues, different voltage drops will be formed due to the different conductivities of different tissues (such as the conductivities of muscle, fat, blood, and air are different), and other electrodes are used to measure these voltage changes.

[0007] 3) Data acquisition: In a complete scan, the current will be injected through different electrode combinations, and the corresponding voltage responses will be recorded. This process will generate a large number of voltage-current data points, called boundary measurement data.

[0008] 4) Image reconstruction: Using mathematical models to convert boundary measurement data into an estimate of the internal conductivity distribution. This step involves complex calculations because the so-called "inverse problem" needs to be solved.

[0009] The inverse problem means that given the voltage measurement results (output) on the body surface and the applied current pattern (input), the conductivity distribution inside the object (characteristics of the system) is deduced. This involves the following challenges: non-uniqueness: there may be multiple different conductivity distributions that produce the same surface voltage measurement results; ill-posedness: even a very small measurement noise may lead to large fluctuations in the solution, that is, the solution is unstable; non-linearity: the relationship between conductivity and voltage is non-linear, increasing the complexity of the solution.

[0010] Since in essence, electrical impedance tomography is an inverse problem. In electrical impedance tomography, the equidistant distribution of electrodes is crucial for obtaining high-quality image reconstruction. This arrangement ensures that the entire measurement area is evenly covered, thus providing more comprehensive data acquisition. If the electrode spacing is inconsistent, some areas may be over-sampled while other areas may be under-sampled, resulting in missing or distorted information during image reconstruction. At the same time, the equidistant arrangement of electrodes can ensure the symmetry of data acquisition, which is very important for simplifying the mathematical model and improving the stability of the reconstruction algorithm. Symmetry helps to reduce the bias error that may occur during the reconstruction process, making the image more accurate.

[0011] In addition, electrodes with equidistant distribution can significantly reduce geometric uncertainty, which will decrease the difficulty of solving the inverse problem. When the electrode positions are irregular, additional geometric uncertainty will be introduced, making it more difficult for the reconstruction algorithm to handle and thus affecting the image quality. On the contrary, electrodes with equidistant distribution can minimize this uncertainty, making the reconstruction algorithm easier to handle and thereby improving the image quality. This arrangement also helps to improve the spatial resolution and contrast of the image. Since the distance between each electrode is fixed, the reconstruction algorithm can more accurately calculate the changes in internal conductivity based on this fixed distance, generating a higher-resolution image. The difference in conductivity between different tissues is the basis of EIT imaging. Electrodes with equidistant distribution can capture these differences more accurately, thus enhancing the contrast between different tissues and making the details in the image more clearly visible. Electrodes with equidistant distribution can also enhance the stability and reliability of the system, reducing the fluctuations caused by uncertain electrode positions, which is particularly important for real-time monitoring applications as it can ensure high repeatability and reliability for each measurement. In clinical applications, reliability and accuracy are crucial. Electrodes with equidistant distribution can help ensure consistent results for each measurement, thereby improving the reliability of diagnosis. However, in the actual measurement process currently, electrodes usually need to be re-pasted each time a measurement is taken, which not only significantly increases the measurement time but also makes it difficult to ensure the standardization and consistency of electrode attachment each time, thus affecting the standardization and stability of the measurement results.

[0012] In the prior art, the solutions provided by patent applications CN111012347A (an electrode strip, an electrode structure, a feeding line, and an electrical impedance imaging device) and CN116035554A (an electrode strip and an electrode assembly for electrical impedance imaging) both adopt the form of elastic electrode strips. These electrode strips have high elasticity and adjustability, and can quickly adapt to limbs of different sizes without the need to re-paste electrodes or make complex adjustments each time. However, the material properties of the elastic band and the irregular shapes of human limbs (such as thighs, calves, arms, etc.) are likely to cause uneven pressure distribution, that is, excessive pressure in some areas and insufficient pressure in some areas, affecting the contact quality between the electrodes and the skin, thus resulting in unstable signal acquisition and affecting the imaging quality.

[0013] After analysis, the prior art mainly has the following defects:

[0014] 1) In the currently adopted method of electrode fixation design, during multiple measurements, it is necessary to frequently re-paste electrodes or adjust the position of the elastic band. This repetitive operation is both time-consuming and laborious, and it is difficult to ensure the standardization and consistency of each measurement, easily leading to unreliability and poor repeatability of the measurement results.

[0015] 2) When the elastic band is fixed, its deformation inevitably changes the distance between the electrodes, and it is impossible to always keep the electrodes arranged at equal distances. This change introduces additional geometric uncertainties, complicates the solution of the inverse problem, and leads to a decrease in the quality of image reconstruction.

[0016] 3) Some solutions attempt to improve the electrode fixing effect by adding additional designs, such as a split structure or a detachable component. However, these designs increase the complexity and manufacturing cost of the device, and may reduce the overall durability and usability of the system. Summary of the Invention

[0017] The object of the present invention is to overcome the defects of the above-mentioned prior art, and provide an electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography and an electrical impedance tomography system.

[0018] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography. The electrode ring includes a metal ring, a filler, an elastic fabric, a plurality of electrodes, and a plurality of electrode wires, wherein: the metal ring can adjust its diameter in a circular structure; the filler is arranged between the metal ring and the elastic fabric; the elastic fabric covers the metal ring, the filler, and the plurality of electrodes; the plurality of electrode wires are wrapped between the fillers, converge together and then lead out an electrode strip to be connected to an external electrical impedance tomography system; the plurality of electrodes are fixed on the surface of the elastic fabric at equal distances, each electrode is connected by a corresponding electrode wire, and the electrodes are not connected to each other.

[0019] In one embodiment, the metal ring is formed by bending a metal strip, and the metal strip is cylindrical or sheet-shaped.

[0020] In one embodiment, the metal strip is made of spring steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, titanium alloy or nickel alloy.

[0021] In one embodiment, the filler is soft polyurethane foam.

[0022] In one embodiment, the elastic fabric is selected from spandex, polyester elastic fiber or a blended material of nylon and elastic fiber.

[0023] In one embodiment, the plurality of electrodes are of a fixed metal spherical type, or disposable electrodes or wet electrodes are used.

[0024] In one embodiment, the number of the plurality of electrodes is set to 16 or a multiple of 16.

[0025] In one embodiment, the elastic fabric is prepared by weft knitting.

[0026] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrical impedance tomography system. The system includes:

[0027] Data acquisition unit: configured to acquire voltage and current data of a target by using an electrode ring provided for electrical impedance tomography.

[0028] Image reconstruction unit: configured to obtain an estimated conductivity distribution based on the voltage and current data, and further obtain an electrical impedance distribution image.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are that an electrode ring, an electrode strip and an electrode assembly for electrical impedance tomography are provided, which are applicable to human bodies of different sizes and can maintain an equal spacing distribution of electrodes before and after the process of changing sizes. The provided electrode ring and electrode strip have high flexibility and adaptability, and can quickly adapt to limbs of different sizes without the need to re-paste electrodes or perform complex adjustments each time. Whether the individual has a thicker or thinner thigh, the electrode assembly can automatically adjust to the optimal position to ensure good contact between the electrodes and the skin, reducing the measurement preparation time and improving the user experience. The present invention can automatically adjust the electrode spacing to ensure that the electrodes can maintain a good equal spacing distribution on limbs of different shapes and sizes. And by using elastic materials or adjustable fasteners, the electrode ring or electrode strip can automatically expand and contract according to the specific size of the limb, so that the electrodes are always evenly distributed around the area to be measured, improving the accuracy and consistency of imaging.

[0030] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The drawings incorporated in the specification and constituting a part of the specification illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, are used to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of an electrode ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 is a line drawing of the overall structure of an electrode ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a metal ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 is a side view of the structure of an electrode ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 is a top view of the structure of an electrode ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 6 is a line drawing of an electrode ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 7 Front view of the electrode ring structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 8 It is a line drawing of an electrode ring according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Figure 9 It is a schematic connection diagram of an electrode and an electrode wire according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that: Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangements of components and steps, numerical expressions, and numerical values set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention.

[0042] The following description of at least one exemplary embodiment is merely illustrative in nature and in no way serves as a limitation to the present invention and its application or use.

[0043] Techniques, methods, and devices known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, the techniques, methods, and devices should be regarded as part of the specification.

[0044] In all the examples shown and discussed here, any specific values should be construed as merely exemplary and not as a limitation. Therefore, other examples of the exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0045] It should be noted that: Similar reference numerals and letters denote similar items in the following drawings. Therefore, once an item is defined in one drawing, it does not need to be further discussed in subsequent drawings.

[0046] Electrical impedance tomography requires a certain number of electrodes to be arranged around the area to be measured. The electrodes need to be maintained at equal intervals, and then a safe excitation current is applied to two of the electrodes in turn, and the voltage differences between the remaining electrodes are measured to obtain the data for reconstructing the electrical impedance image. In order to conveniently perform biomedical electrical impedance imaging in actual application scenarios, the electrodes are preferably arranged around the body of the object to be measured in a fast and simple manner, and the risk of electrode detachment is reduced, maintaining good contact with the body. At the same time, in order to obtain high-quality image data, the electrodes arranged on the human body surface are ideally required to be evenly distributed around the area to be measured.

[0047] The electrode arrangement methods in the prior art are not applicable to human bodies of different sizes and usually need to be adjusted according to individual differences. When the measurement object is changed, it is often necessary to re-paste the electrodes and adjust their positions, which not only wastes time but also may result in inconsistent electrode distributions for each measurement, thus affecting the repeatability and accuracy of the data. Moreover, the process of manually adjusting the electrode positions is complex and time-consuming, bringing great inconvenience to practical applications. In addition, during the EIT imaging process, in order to obtain high-quality image data, it is required that the electrodes can be evenly distributed around the area to be measured. However, the existing electrode arrangement methods are difficult to ensure equidistant arrangement between the electrodes, especially on curved surfaces such as the limbs. The method of manually pasting electrodes is not only cumbersome in operation but also difficult to guarantee the accuracy and consistency of each paste. The method of fixing the electrodes on a strip of fabric simplifies the installation process, but there are still problems such as poor contact between the electrodes and biological tissues and the inability to ensure equidistant arrangement of the electrodes.

[0048] To overcome the defects of the prior art, the present invention designs a novel electrode ring (or electrode ring device), which generally includes a metal ring with adjustable radius, filling material, elastic fabric, electrodes, electrode wires, etc. Specifically, in combination with Figure 1 and Figure 2 as shown, the provided electrode ring is provided with a metal ring, an elastic filling material filled between the elastic fabric and the metal ring, an elastic fabric wrapping various components, and a group of electrodes fixedly attached to the elastic fabric and distributed at equal distances from the inside to the outside. Each electrode is connected by an electrode wire (the electrodes are not connected to each other, each electrode is connected by one electrode wire, but multiple wires converge together), and the electrode wires are wrapped between the filling materials and converge together and then lead out an electrode strip to be connected to other parts of the electrical impedance imaging system.

[0049] 1) Metal ring

[0050] The role of the metal ring in the entire electrode ring system mainly includes two aspects. First, due to its high elastic modulus, the radius of the metal ring changes little in shape during the stretching process, thus playing a shaping role for the elastic fabric wrapped outside it and ensuring that the fabric also maintains a stable circular shape except for the change in radius. In addition, after the shape of the metal ring changes, it can provide an inward stress caused by an elastic restoring force. Due to the high elasticity of the metal ring, this force is much larger than that of common elastic bands or 3D printing materials, thus significantly improving the stability of the contact between the electrodes and the limb. This metal ring has an adaptive radius adjustment function, which can change its radius to adapt to different limb sizes while maintaining shape stability and circular structure, and can provide stable support for external components during and after the adjustment process. The metal ring can be prepared from materials with high elastic modulus (such as spring steel, stainless steel, etc.) to ensure that sufficient restoring force can be provided after deformation.

[0051] As Figure 3As shown, the metal ring can be formed by bending a strip of metal. The metal strip can be cylindrical or sheet-shaped and is made of a material with a high elastic modulus, such as spring steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, titanium alloy, or nickel alloy materials. These materials have characteristics such as high elastic modulus, good elastic limit, low hysteresis (small energy loss during cyclic deformation), and fatigue resistance. Through this design, the metal ring can ensure the stability and shape consistency of the electrode ring. For example, it can maintain the circular structure of the electrode ring and still provide stable support even under different limb shapes. Moreover, it provides a uniform inward pressure, ensuring sufficient contact between the electrode and the skin surface and reducing the problem of poor contact caused by differences in limb shape.

[0052] 2) Filler

[0053] When designing the electrode ring, in order to improve the wearing comfort and the stability of electrode contact, a filling material is added between the metal ring and the elastic fabric to improve wearing comfort and evenly distribute the pressure inside the ring. Preferably, this filling material is soft polyurethane foam because it has advantages such as low density, good elastic recovery, good air permeability, and heat preservation performance. By setting the filler, it is possible to balance the uneven pressure caused by differences in limb shape, enable the electrode to maintain consistent contact with the skin, provide soft support, reduce the discomfort of the wearer, and further stabilize the position of the electrode wire, avoiding signal interference caused by movement or deformation.

[0054] Since the human limb is not a perfect cylinder, the pressure distribution exerted by the circular metal ring on the limb is uneven, resulting in greater pressure on some protruding parts of the limb and relatively less pressure on the parts with a smaller radius. Such an uneven pressure distribution may affect the effective contact between the electrode and the skin. By using an elastic filler, appropriate elastic support can be provided under different limb shapes, ensuring that the electrode can fit the skin surface with appropriate pressure, thereby improving the stability of the electrode and the wearing comfort. Therefore, the filler not only enhances the wearing experience but also plays an important role in evenly distributing the force and increasing the stability of the electrode.

[0055] In summary, by adding soft polyurethane foam as a filler between the metal ring and the elastic fabric, good adaptability to different limb shapes is achieved, the pressure of the electrode in contact with the skin is ensured to be uniform, the wearing comfort and electrode stability are improved, and the contact effect between the electrode and the human body surface is improved. By adding a filling material with specific physical properties (such as low density and good elastic recovery) to the inner layer of the electrode ring, a uniform pressure distribution can be maintained even on non-ideal cylindrical human parts.

[0056] 3) Elastic fabric

[0057] Combined Figure 4 、 Figure 5 、Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown in Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 , stretch fabric is used to wrap the metal ring, the filler, and the wires connecting the electrodes, while ensuring that the electrodes are firmly fixed in the ring formed inside it. This fabric can uniformly extend when undergoing deformation and has excellent elastic recovery ability to maintain the shape stability. To achieve such performance, spandex, polyester elastic fiber (such as T400 or Lycra T400), or a blended material of nylon and elastic fiber can be selected to make this fabric. And weft knitting method is adopted to further enhance its characteristics, because the fabric made by this method has excellent multi-directional extensibility and excellent tensile recovery performance, ensuring that the fabric can maintain its original shape unchanged after deformation.

[0058] When adjusting the size of the metal ring, the change in its radius will cause the stretch fabric wrapped around its outside to change size accordingly. Since the metal ring can still maintain its shape stability after the radius change, the stretch fabric can also maintain its shape unchanged after the size change. Thanks to the uniform deformation characteristics of the stretch fabric, the electrodes fixed inside its ring and evenly distributed can still maintain equal distances from each other after the radius of the whole ring changes.

[0059] The stretch fabric covers the metal ring, the filler, and the electrode wires, etc. It is made of high-elastic and fatigue-resistant materials (such as spandex, blended fabric, polyester elastic fiber, etc.) and its deformation stability is enhanced by weft knitting method. Using a specific type of stretch fabric to wrap the whole device ensures that the overall structure can not only adapt to different limb shapes but also maintain good tensile recovery performance, further enhancing the wearer's comfort experience. For example, when the diameter of the metal ring changes, the stretch fabric maintains its outer shape stability and ensures the equal-distance distribution between the electrodes. In addition, the stretch fabric provides support and protection functions, preventing the filler or electrode wires, etc. from detaching, while enhancing the durability and flexibility of the overall structure.

[0060] 4) Electrodes and Electrode Wires

[0061] See Figure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , the electrodes are fixed on the surface of the stretch fabric and are located inside the ring. Each electrode is connected by an electrode wire, and these electrode wires are wrapped inside the stretch fabric. The filler plays a stabilizing role for the electrode wires, and multiple electrode wires converge and lead out from the same opening of the electrode ring. The other ends of the electrode wires are connected to other parts of the electrical impedance tomography system. The electrodes can apply different currents at a specific frequency for measuring the electrical information and electrophysiological signals on the human body surface. The electrodes can be of the fixed metal spherical type, or disposable electrodes or wet electrodes, and can be used for electrocardiogram (ECG) or electromyogram (EMG) measurement.

[0062] In one embodiment, an electrode array for electrical impedance tomography generally includes 16 electrodes or a multiple thereof. Regardless of the specific number, they are evenly distributed on a circular ring. With this design, regardless of how the size of the electrode ring changes, the electrodes fixed thereon always remain evenly distributed on a circle, which ensures the accuracy of data acquisition during the electrical impedance tomography process.

[0063] In summary, the electrodes are fixed on the surface of the elastic fabric at equal distances. The internally connected electrode wires are wrapped between the fillers and converge to the output ports of the electrode ring, which is connected to an external electrical impedance tomography system. By applying currents of different frequencies, the electrodes can collect high-quality electrical impedance signals and can adapt to various measurement requirements. The stable arrangement and convergence design of the electrode wires ensure the efficiency and anti-interference ability of the signal transmission process, while simplifying the connection and use of the device.

[0064] Furthermore, based on the electrode ring of the above embodiment, the present invention also provides an electrical impedance tomography system. For example, the system includes: a data acquisition unit that uses the electrode ring provided by the present invention to collect voltage-current data of a target; an image reconstruction unit: based on the voltage-current data, it obtains an estimated conductivity distribution and further obtains an electrical impedance distribution image. The data acquisition unit and the image reconstruction unit can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

[0065] In summary, compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages:

[0066] 1) Although the existing elastic band design has good adaptability and adjustability, due to the material characteristics and the irregular shape of the human body part, the distance between the electrodes changes during the adjustment process, affecting the quality of image reconstruction. Through innovative designs and structures (such as the combination of a metal ring, fillers, and elastic fabric), the present invention ensures that the electrodes can maintain an equidistant arrangement regardless of any size adjustment, solves the problem of electrode spacing change, and improves the stability and accuracy of inverse problem solving.

[0067] 2) Due to the material characteristics and the irregular shape of the human body part, the existing elastic band has uneven pressure distribution during fixation. Some areas may bear greater pressure while other areas have insufficient pressure, affecting the stability of signal acquisition. The present invention uses soft polyurethane foam as a filler, which can provide appropriate elastic support in different limb postures, ensuring that the electrodes can fit the skin surface with appropriate pressure, improving the wearing comfort and the stability of signal acquisition.

[0068] 3) Although existing elastic bands can adapt to limbs of different thicknesses to a certain extent, they still have limitations when facing complex human curvature changes and it is difficult to ensure the standardization and consistency of each measurement. The present invention uses a metal ring material with a high elastic modulus, enabling the electrode ring to flexibly adapt to limbs of different diameters and still maintain a circular structure after size adjustment, ensuring good contact quality between the electrode and the skin.

[0069] 4) In the prior art, re-pasting electrodes or performing complex adjustments are required for each measurement, increasing the measurement time and difficulty and reducing the user experience. The electrode ring provided by the present invention has high flexibility and adaptability, can quickly adapt to limbs of different sizes, and does not require re-pasting electrodes or performing complex adjustments each time. Each time of wearing only requires stretching and expanding the electrode ring, simplifying the measurement preparation process and enhancing the user's operation convenience and experience.

[0070] 5) The present invention adopts a design combining a metal ring with a high elastic modulus and an elastic fabric, enhancing the durability of the device while ensuring its flexibility, providing a better wearing experience for users and being applicable to long-term measurement scenarios.

[0071] The present invention may be a system, a method, and / or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium having thereon computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to implement various aspects of the present invention.

[0072] The computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electrical storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readable storage medium include: a portable computer disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as a punched card or raised structures in grooves having instructions stored thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. The computer-readable storage medium used herein is not construed as an instantaneous signal itself, such as a radio wave or other freely propagating electromagnetic wave, an electromagnetic wave propagated through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., an optical pulse through an optical fiber cable), or an electrical signal transmitted through a wire.

[0073] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagram may represent a module, a segment of code, or a portion of an instruction, which contains one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur in a different order than noted in the accompanying drawings. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially in parallel, or they may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functions involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the specified functions or actions, or can be implemented by a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions. As is well known to those skilled in the art, implementation by hardware, implementation by software, and implementation by a combination of software and hardware are equivalent.

[0074] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. The above description is exemplary and not exhaustive, and is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The choice of terms used herein is intended to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application, or improvements made to the technology in the market, or to enable other ordinary skilled persons in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An electrode ring for electrical impedance imaging, comprising a metal ring, a filler, an elastic fabric, a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of electrode wires, wherein: The diameter of the metal ring can be adjusted when it is in a circular structure; The filler is arranged between the metal ring and the elastic fabric; the elastic fabric covers the metal ring, the filler and the multiple electrodes; the multiple electrode wires are wrapped between the fillers, and after converging together, the electrode belts are led out and connected to an external electrical impedance imaging system; the multiple electrodes are fixed on the surface of the elastic fabric in an equidistant manner, each electrode is connected by a corresponding electrode wire, and the electrodes are not connected to each other.

2. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The metal ring is formed by bending a metal strip, and the metal strip is in a cylindrical or sheet shape.

3. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 2, characterized in that: The metal strip is made of spring steel, stainless steel, copper alloy, titanium alloy or nickel alloy.

4. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The filler is soft polyurethane foam plastic.

5. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stretch fabric is made of spandex, polyester elastic fiber or a blended material of nylon and elastic fiber.

6. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of electrodes are of a fixed metal spherical type.

7. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the plurality of electrodes is set to 16 or a multiple of 16.

8. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The stretch fabric is prepared by a weft knitting method.

9. The electrode ring for electrical impedance tomography according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of electrodes are disposable electrodes or wet electrodes.

10. An electrical impedance imaging system, comprising: A data acquisition unit: used for acquiring voltage and current data of a target using the electrode ring for electrical impedance imaging according to any one of claims 1 to 9; Image reconstruction unit: used to obtain the corresponding conductivity distribution estimation based on the voltage and current data, and then obtain the electrical impedance distribution image.

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