Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J Edrich.
Thermography at centimeter and millimeter wavelengths can measure subsurface temperatures of the human body. Radiative and bio-heat transfer influence the wavelength dependent subcutaneous temperature and spatial resolution. Recent clinical results in treatment monitoring of arthritis, detection of tumors in the neck and brain area, and breast cancer are reviewed.
Thermographic studies of 14 patients with breast carcinoma were performed using two millimeter wave scanners for 30 and 68 GHz. Small correlation with infrared thermograms was observed indicating the depth sensing capabilities of millimeter waves. Correlation with mammographic and other clinical findings was good for tumors with medium subcutaneous depth. These preliminary results indicate a need for a statistically more significant number of cases, extension towards lower sensing frequencies and experiments on postoperative specimens and phantom models.
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Magnetoencephalographic (MEG) averaged auditory evoked fields to click stimuli (N = 512) were recorded from four human subjects. The MEG was recorded with an asymmetric second derivative SQUID gradiometer located in an aluminum shielded room. Unlike conventional EEG auditory evoked potentials, which have a widespread distribution, evoked magnetic fields appear to be localized to the general area of the primary auditory cortex and diminish rapidly in amplitude as the gradiometer is moved away in any direction.
A new technique for remote, noninvasive mapping of temperature elevations of the human joints is described; it uses the mm wave radiation emitted by the human body. A solid state switched scanner for 68 GHz is described which overcomes the depth limitations of conventional, infrared thermographs and can measure to subcutaneous depths of several mm with a temperature resolution of 0.25 degrees C. Measurements on rheumatoid arthritic knee joints are presented which show little correlation with simultaneously measured skin temperatures. Significant longterm thermographic changes induced by steroid injection indicate a potential for objective patient monitoring and development of new treatment methods.
Simultaneous magnetoencephalographic (MEG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) data were recorded from six normal adult subjects. MEG signal strength and EEG voltage level appear to be linearly correlated. Spectral analysis suggested that the MEG and EEG data were produced by similar but non-identical generator systems. A vertex region magnetic averaged evoked response to flash was recorded in one (of four) subjects, consisting of a waveform similar to but out of phase with the simultaneous EEG averaged evoked response, such that cortical negativity was correlated with a magnetic field directed into the scalp. Eye movement artifact, which can seriously compromise EEG recordings, does not appear to be a major problem in MEG recordings.