EIT Virtual Electrodes via Current Steering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical impedance tomography (EIT) techniques suffer from low image resolution due to the limited number of conducting electrodes, which hinders accurate medical imaging and surgical precision.
Innovation Solution
The method involves forming virtual electrodes between conducting electrodes using an electric current steering device to control the electric current ratio, allowing for improved electric current and potential distribution measurements, and subsequent image conversion processing to enhance imaging resolution without physically increasing the number of electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of conducting electrodes is increased to improve imaging resolution, then image resolution is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual electrodes through signal processing that replicate the functionality of physical electrodes. By mathematically synthesizing electrode signals and forming virtual electrode positions between physical electrodes, the system achieves higher measurement precision without adding corresponding physical components, thus resolving the contradiction between imaging resolution and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional electrode array on the skin surface to a three-dimensional virtual electrode space by calculating potential distributions at intermediate positions between physical electrodes. This dimensional extension allows the system to achieve higher resolution imaging without proportionally increasing the number of physical electrodes
2Measurement precision
If the number of conducting electrodes is increased to improve imaging resolution, then image resolution is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses signal processing to create virtual copies of electrode measurements at positions where no physical electrodes exist. By calculating potential distributions at virtual electrode locations through mathematical interpolation and reconstruction algorithms, the system achieves high-resolution imaging without the manufacturing cost of additional physical electrodes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of adding more physical electrodes with an electrical and computational approach. Instead of physically installing additional electrodes to improve resolution, the system uses signal processing and mathematical reconstruction to synthesize virtual electrode measurements, thereby eliminating the need for expensive additional hardware
3Measurement precision
If the number of conducting electrodes is increased to improve imaging resolution, then image resolution is improved, but the measurement process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual electrode measurements through signal processing that replicates the effect of additional physical electrodes. By mathematically synthesizing potential distributions at virtual electrode positions, the system achieves higher measurement precision while avoiding the complex measurement procedures that would result from using corresponding numbers of physical electrodes
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables rapid and effective improvement in EIT imaging resolution, providing higher accuracy in medical diagnostics and surgical procedures by utilizing the electric current steering technique to create multiple virtual electrodes for enhanced image profiling.
Implementation Method 1
forming a virtual electrode between the at least two of the plurality of conducting electrodes by applying an electric current ratio to control the electric current using an electric current steering device
Implementation Method 2
measuring an electric potential using at least two of the plurality of conducting electrodes, except these conducting electrodes for inputting and outputting the electric current, to obtain electric current and electric potential distributions
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for improving imaging resolution of electrical impedance tomography (EIT). More specifically, the present disclosure forms virtual electrode(s) using an electric current steering technique, which is used to improve imaging resolution of an EIT system without physically increasing a number of conducting electrodes. The EIT system of the present disclosure may includes a plurality of conducting electrodes, at least one signal generator, at least one signal receiver and at least one electric current steering device. In other words, the present disclosure applies both the electric current steering technique and the virtual electrode technique to EIT. Consequently, imaging resolution of EIT can be improved without physically increasing the number of conducting electrodes.