Electrode Array Axial Twist Determination for Electrical Impedance Tomography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical impedance tomography devices face challenges in accurately determining the axial twist angle of the electrode array, which affects image reconstruction and requires user input of patient data for anatomical models, making it cumbersome and prone to positioning errors.
Innovation Solution
An electrical impedance tomography device with a calculation and control unit that determines the axial twist angle by processing measured signals from the electrode array, using a signal feed unit and signal acquisition unit to identify and correct the twist angle, allowing for automatic adjustment and improved image reconstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual positioning and user input of patient data for anatomical models is used, then the device can operate with basic components, but positioning accuracy deteriorates and the operation becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the axial twist angle by processing measured signals from the electrode array without requiring manual user input of patient data. The calculation and control unit autonomously identifies the twist angle through signal processing, eliminating the need for cumbersome manual positioning and data entry while improving positioning accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated electronic determination system. Instead of relying on user input and manual adjustment, the system uses signal processing and automated calculations to determine the axial twist angle, substituting mechanical operations with electronic automation
2Measurement precision
If automatic determination of axial twist angle is implemented, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to additional signal processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The calculation and control unit performs multiple functions: it controls the electrode array operation, processes measured signals, determines the axial twist angle, and reconstructs images. By making this single unit multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex subsystems while achieving automatic twist angle determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the signal processing functions for axial twist angle determination with the existing image reconstruction process. The same calculation and control unit that performs image reconstruction also handles the automatic determination of the axial twist angle, merging multiple functions into a unified processing system rather than adding separate complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If axial twist angle correction is applied during image reconstruction, then image quality improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines the axial twist angle in advance during the signal acquisition phase, before image reconstruction begins. This preliminary determination allows the twist angle correction to be applied efficiently during reconstruction without adding significant processing time, as the correction parameter is already calculated and ready
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical impedance tomography device (1) includes an electrode array, including a plurality of electrodes (33) arranged spaced apart from one another, a signal feed unit (51) and a signal acquisition unit (50). A calculation and control unit (70) is configured to determine a situation with an axial twist angle of the electrode array on a thorax (34) of a human being and to provide a control signal (79), which indicates the situation with axial twist angle of the electrode array. The calculation and control unit (70) may be configured as a central unit or an array of distributed units (cloud computing) in order to determine and to provide the axial twist angle.