Abstract
Background: Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an imaging modality which is getting more attention these days. The main advantages are real time images, small cost, small size and non-ionizing operation. On the other hand, the biggest drawbacks are blurred images obtained and time consuming implementation.
Objective: This paper introduces challenges and possible remedies when the electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is applied to a real patient. EIT is a promising method for patient real-time monitoring of thorax.
Method: The application of electrodes is time consuming and very sensitive to proper positioning. We propose a method to improve such drawbacks. It enables a pseudo-absolute monitoring, which is superior to classic differential monitoring through the use of VERA device (variable electrical ring analyzer).
Results: This superiority has several aspects. The most important is that physician can see whole lungs and possible other features whereas traditional method is capable of monitoring only differences between the inhalation and exhalation of air. Moreover it is possible to see also anomalities which do not change between the course of breathing - possible cancer detection. Other advantages are faster implementation on patient body, which is currently a huge drawback of traditional EIT electrodes positioning and inherent more reliable obtained images since the proposed construction is a well defined object with certain static dimensions. Another advantage comes from the fact that most of the measurement anomalities are near the measuring electrodes and since the electrodes are not in direct contact with a patient body, the anomalities do not appear in the image of human cross section.
Conclusion: The proposed method is a viable imaging modality which can be used for imaging predominantly lungs providing better insight into what is happening in real time. We hope that such device can contribute to widespread of EIT, which can be more pleasant to patients than traditional computed tomography or magnetic resonance and, at the same time, provide medicals with all necessary information.
Keywords: EIDORS, electrical impedance tomography, health care, Labview, Netgen, real-time monitoring.
Graphical Abstract
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