Electrical Impedance Tomography With Parallel Multi-Frequency 3D Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical impedance tomography apparatuses face challenges such as sensitivity to electrical inhomogeneities, noise in measurement data, slow data acquisition due to frequent electrode switching, limited three-dimensional imaging capabilities, and inability to simultaneously display ventilation and perfusion images of lungs.
Innovation Solution
A three-dimensional multi-frequency-one-time complex electrical impedance tomography apparatus using in vivo electrodes, simultaneous multi-frequency excitation and measurement, and three-dimensional image reconstruction with complex voltage signals, enabling real-time display of ventilation and perfusion images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant current source is switched to next position after each measurement, then all electrodes can be excited sequentially, but data acquisition speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the electrode array into multiple independent groups (e.g., first electrode group, second electrode group, third electrode group, fourth electrode group). Each group can be excited and measured independently or simultaneously, eliminating the need to sequentially switch through all electrodes. This segmentation allows parallel data acquisition from multiple electrode groups, dramatically increasing data acquisition speed while reducing the complexity of sequential switching operations.
2Measurement precision
If in vitro electrodes are used on outer surface, then measurement can be performed externally, but sensitivity to electrical inhomogeneity in living body is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs in vivo electrodes that are nested or placed within the living body (e.g., in the esophagus, trachea, or other internal cavities) rather than on the external surface. These internal electrodes are positioned closer to the target organs (such as lungs), enabling direct measurement of electrical properties within the body. This nesting approach significantly enhances sensitivity to electrical inhomogeneities in the target tissue while maintaining ease of operation through minimally invasive placement in natural body cavities.
3Measurement precision
If differential imaging is adopted, then changes in electrical properties can be detected, but quantitative information of tissue conductivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs multi-frequency excitation signals (e.g., multiple frequencies such as 1kHz, 10kHz, 100kHz, 1MHz) applied periodically to the electrode groups. By measuring the impedance response at multiple frequencies, the system can reconstruct both the differential changes and the absolute quantitative values of tissue conductivity and dielectric constant. The periodic application of different frequency signals enables the separation of capacitive and resistive components, preserving quantitative information while detecting changes.
4Measurement precision
If two-dimensional image reconstruction is performed, then cross-sectional conductivity can be visualized, but three-dimensional structural information is not reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements three-dimensional image reconstruction algorithms that process the multi-frequency impedance data from multiple electrode groups to generate 3D visualizations of tissue electrical properties. Instead of displaying only 2D cross-sectional slices, the system reconstructs volumetric images that show the spatial distribution of conductivity and dielectric constant throughout the target organ (e.g., lungs) in three dimensions. This dimensional enhancement preserves all quantitative information while providing comprehensive 3D structural visualization for improved diagnostic accuracy.
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
Enhances data acquisition speed, sensitivity to tissue conductivity, and provides comprehensive three-dimensional imaging for improved disease detection and diagnosis by increasing data quantity and allowing simultaneous analysis of ventilation and perfusion images.
Implementation Method 1
Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive technology for reconstructing images of an in vivo tissue with resistivity distribution inside the human body or other living bodies as a target. The human body is a large biological electric conductor, and each tissue and each organ have certain impedances
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical impedance tomography apparatus (100) and method. The electrical impedance tomography apparatus (100) consists of a sensing module (101), a data acquisition module (102), a communication module (103), a data processing module (104), an image display module (105) and a power supply module (106). The electrical impedance tomography apparatus (100) is applicable to medical imaging, can employ an in vivo electrode to perform multi-frequency-one-time excitation and measurement on a biological tissue under test and use a measured complex voltage signal to perform three-dimensional image reconstruction, and can simultaneously display ventilation and perfusion images in real time, thereby increasing an amount of acquired data, increasing the speed of data acquisition, increasing the sensitivity of a measurement signal to the conductivity of an in vivo tissue, and facilitating image analysis and comparison, disease detection and diagnosis.