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At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources

The spectral expansion of a head model in electrical impedance tomography.

This paper examines whether electrical impedance tomography (EIT) can provide information of use to magneto-encephalographic modelling (MEG). The EIT image domain is expanded in a complete set of orthogonal basis images, the number of which is given by the number of independent measurements (104 for 16 electrodes). They are ordered according to their sensitivity to data noise, with more centrally located features and higher spatial frequency components appearing towards the higher terms in the series, in the case of uniform resistivity distribution. This indicates that the resolution can be improved at the expense of degrading signal-to-noise in the reconstructed image. Applied to an approximate model of the head, the technique generates a set of basis images that emphasises central features of the head.

Brain↗

Calculation of static susceptibility maps using the reciprocity theorem.

In performing measurements of magnetic susceptibility of human tissues, it is useful to calculate the field produced by a magnetisation distribution over a relatively large measurement area. This involves costly computations that can be made easier by the use of the reciprocity theorem.

Humans↗

A fast approximation for the calculation of potential distributions in electrical impedance tomography.

A number of proposed electrical impedance tomography reconstruction algorithms rely on the assumption that the pattern of potentials produced in an unknown conductivity distribution will be similar to that produced in a uniformly conducting object of the same external dimensions. This potential distribution can be calculated from Laplace's equation. A fast approximation to the solution of Laplace's equation is formulated and tested against experimental and computer generated data. Whilst it does not fully converge to the solution, the approximation is shown to be an improvement over the assumption of semi-infinite boundary conditions and to be very much faster than conventional numerical methods.

Algorithms↗

A phantom for electrical impedance tomography.

A method has been developed for constructing phantoms for electrical impedance tomography (EIT). A mesh of resistors is soldered to pins in a matrix board and forms a physical realisation of a finite element numerical model. To simulate different body tissues, changes in the apparent electrical conductivity and permittivity can be introduced at a particular location within the phantom by shunting the resistors in the mesh with additional resistors and capacitors. The phantom was used to test an EIT system employing phase-sensitive detection to separate the real and imaginary parts of the peripheral electric potentials. From the measurements images of conductivity and permittivity were reconstructed using an algorithm developed recently. The phantom has good mechanical strength and is electrically stable. The design could easily be reproduced and distributed to other centres developing similar EIT systems to enable testing on a common basis.

Electric Conductivity↗

Analysis of equipotential lines as a basis for impedance imaging.

A mathematical two-dimensional phantom model has been implemented. With this it has been possible to calculate the equipotential line patterns in a homogeneous medium with inhomogeneous inclusions. The results have been compared with measurements in a physical phantom with identical outline. The shape of the phantom can be adapted to varying outlines congruent with transections of the human body. The physical measurements verify closely the pattern of the equipotential lines. Three approaches are suggested in applying the mathematical phantom model as a useful tool in impedance imaging.

Humans↗

Theory and performance of an adaptive current tomography system.

It has been shown that there exists an optimum set of current patterns for distinguishing one conductivity distribution from another. Since the optimum set of current patterns depends on the conductivity distribution being imaged it must be determined for each object being imaged. This paper describes how these current patterns may be determined and describes a system for achieving this in practice.

Electricity↗

Three-dimensional reconstruction in electrical impedance tomography.

We have developed a three-dimensional, computer-simulated, electrical impedance tomographic imaging system using the four-electrode measurement technique. The reconstruction process finds the numerical solution of Laplace's equation by using the finite element method and the Newton-Raphson algorithm. A new diagonal electrodes measurement method provides lower error than the usual neighbouring electrodes measurement method. For a three-layer, 4 x 4 model, the number of iterations increased from 3 to 16 as the number of randomly placed, high-resistivity voxels increased from 3 to 18.

Electric Conductivity↗

Algorithms for parametric images in MEIT systems.

In this work we show the algorithms developed to extract the Cole parameters from multi-frequency EIT. With these parameters it is possible to obtain information about various different tissues and their pathologies. The algorithms developed obtain the Cole-model parameters from the real and imaginary parts of impedance, or using only the real part, without problems of convergence. A study of the influence of noise is performed with simulations. We find a correct solution in all cases with signal to noise ratio in the data higher than 40 dB. Finally, we show parametric images of the human abdomen obtained with these algorithms.

Abdomen↗

Two-dimensional finite element modelling of the neonatal head.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) could allow the early diagnosis of infant brain injury following birth asphyxia. The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of variations in skull, scalp or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) resistivity, as these vary in clinical conditions and could degrade image quality. These factors were investigated using finite element models of the adult and neonatal head. The results suggest that there is a wide range over which the resistivity of the neonatal skull has little effect on the sensitivity to a central impedance change. The scalp and CSF appear to shunt current away from the brain; when their resistivity was decreased from normal values, this shunting effect increased and caused a decrease in sensitivity to a central resistance change. The resistivity of neonatal skull has not, to our knowledge, been directly measured and will anyway vary within and between individuals; this work suggests that EIT will be relatively insensitive to variations in neonatal skull impedance.

Adult↗

Movement artefact rejection in impedance pneumography using six strategically placed electrodes.

In this paper, we have proposed a technique for reducing movement artefacts in impedance pneumography by placing six electrodes at appropriate locations and suitably combining the measurements obtained. The strategy for electrode placement was based on the observation that the electrodes appeared to slide over the rib cage along with the skin, during movement. A volume conductor model of the thoracic cavity was developed and movement artefacts were simulated by shifting the electrodes to a different location on the surface. The impedance changes due to movement in one of the measurements of a 'symmetrical pair' were 180 degrees out of phase with respect to those observed in the other measurement of that pair. However, the impedance changes due to breathing were in phase in both these measurements. Thus, it was possible to reduce movement artefacts by taking a mean of these measurements without affecting the breathing related changes. The six electrodes could be configured into two such symmetrical pairs. The same observation was made in experimental data recorded from human subjects. This indicated that movement artefacts were caused by sliding of electrodes along with the skin and could be reduced by using the six-electrode configuration.

Cardiography, Impedance↗

3D simulation of EIT for monitoring impedance variations within the human head.

A preliminary analysis is presented concerning the use of EIT for detecting impedance inhomogeneities within the human brain. The work to date is centred around the monitoring of two distinct impedance variations: those associated with the application of a carotid clamp during surgery and changes caused by the redistribution of blood flow during auditory stimuli. Using the commercially available Ansoft Maxwell package, a 3D finite element model of the human head has been developed to solve the forward problem. The model is hemispherical in shape and comprises regions of brain, cerebrospinal fluid, skull and skin and includes 16 scalp electrodes each of area 1 cm2. Results from simulations using the model suggest that an EIT system, incorporating diametric current excitation, would require a voltage measurement sensitivity of 100-120 dB in order to detect the impedance variations in the above cases.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

A multi-shell algorithm to reconstruct EIT images of brain function.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) may be used to image brain function, but an important consideration is the effect of the highly resistive skull and other extracerebral layers on the flow of injected current. We describe a new reconstruction algorithm, based on a forward solution which models the head as four concentric, spherical shells, with conductivities of the brain, cerebrospinal fluid, skull and scalp. The model predicted that the mean current travelling in the brain in the diametric plane for current injection from polar electrodes was 5.6 times less than if the head was modelled as a homogeneous sphere; this suggests that an algorithm based on this should be more accurate than one based on a homogeneous sphere model. In images reconstructed from computer-simulated data or data from a realistic saline-filled tank containing a real skull, a Perspex rod was localized to within 17% or 20% of the tank diameter of its true position, respectively. Contrary to expectation, the tank images were less accurate than those obtained with a reconstruction algorithm based on a homogeneous sphere. It is not yet clear if the theoretical advantages of this algorithm will yield practical advantages for head EIT imaging; it may be necessary to proceed to more complex algorithms based on numerical models which incorporate realistic head geometry. If so, this analytical forward model and algorithm may be used to validate numerical solutions.

Algorithms↗

Design and calibration of a compact multi-frequency EIT system for acute stroke imaging.

A new, compact UCLH Mk 2.5 EIT system has been developed and calibrated for EIT imaging of the head. Improvements include increased input and output impedances, increased bandwidth and improved CMRR (80 dB) and linearity over frequencies and load (0.2% on a single channel, +/-0.7% on a saline tank over 20 Hz-256 kHz and 10-65 Omega). The accuracy of the system is sufficient to image severe acute stroke according to the specification from recent detailed anatomical modelling (Horesh et al 2005 3rd European Medical and Biological Engineering Conference EMBEC'05). A preliminary human study has validated the main specifications of the modelling, the range of trans-impedance from the head (8-70 Omega) using a 32 electrode, 258 combination protocol and contact impedances of 300 Omega to 2.7 kOmega over 20 Hz to 256 kHz.

Acute Disease↗

Computational model of a primate arm: from hand position to joint angles, joint torques and muscle forces.

Three-dimensional reaching by non-human primates is an important behavioral paradigm for investigating representations existing in motor control areas of the brain. Most studies to date have correlated neural activity to a few of the many arm motion parameters including: global hand position or velocity, joint angles, joint angular velocities, joint torques or muscle activations. So far, no single study has been able to incorporate all these parameters in a meaningful way that would allow separation of these often highly correlated variables. This paper introduces a three-dimensional, seven degree-of-freedom computational musculoskeletal model of the macaque arm that translates the coordinates of eight tracking markers placed on the arm into joint angles, joint torques, musculotendon lengths and finally into an optimized prediction of muscle forces. This paper uses this model to illustrate how the classic center-out reaching task used by many researchers over the last 20 years is not optimal in separating out intrinsic, extrinsic, kinematic and kinetic variables. However, by using the musculoskeletal model to design and test novel behavioral movement tasks, a priori, it is possible to disassociate the myriad of movement parameters in motor neurophysiological reaching studies.

Algorithms↗

Capturing behaviour for the use of avatars in virtual environments.

Avatars, representations of people in virtual environments, are subject to human control. However, for most applications, it is impractical for a person to directly control each joint in a complex avatar. Rather, people must be allowed to specify complex behaviours with simple instructions and the avatar permitted to select the correct movements in sequence to execute the instruction. This requires a variety of technologies that are currently available. Human behaviour must be captured and stored it so that it can be retrieved at a later time for use by the avatar. This has been done successfully with a variety of haptic interfaces, with visual observation of human head movements, and with verbal behaviour in natural language applications. The behaviour must be broken into atomic actions that can be sequenced with a regular grammar, and an appropriate grammar developed. Finally, a user interface must be developed so that a person can deliver instructions to the avatar.

Behavior↗

Exploring heart lymphatics in local drug delivery.

BACKGROUND: Local intramyocardial delivery (IMD) is under active clinical investigation for cell therapies to treat congestive heart failure, and gene therapies to induce revascularization of ischemic myocardium in coronary artery disease. Locally delivered agents can migrate away from the site of delivery through pathways that include lymphatics. Postdelivery redistribution can be observed using fluorescent tracers of different physical geometries. This approach provides a means to characterize these pathways and to delineate their importance in local cardiovascular drug delivery. METHODS AND RESULTS: The left ventricular wall of rats (N = 83) received injections of fluorescent microspheres with mean diameters ranging from 20 nm to 15,000 nm. Fluorescent microscopy was used to observe and image the patterns of migration from the epicardial surface. The animals were sacrificed after delivery. The microspheres with diameters smaller than 200 nm were widely distributed within the lymphatic network on the epicardial surface of the rat heart and through the ventricular wall at the injection site. Cardiac lymph nodes were identified with 20 nm and 100 nm deliveries, but could not be identified in any deliveries 200 nm or larger. The 15000 nm microspheres did not migrate. CONCLUSIONS: Tortuous lymphatic pathways are apparent in the images of fluorescent sphere migration from the intramyocardial site of delivery. These images suggest a lymphatic role in the formation of native collaterals that may implicate potential advantages to IMD in therapeutic angiogenesis. Distribution postdelivery also suggests that IMD may provide a means to administer hydrophilic agents to the periadventitial zone of the arterial wall to limit restenosis. The lack of redistribution of the 15,000 nm microspheres supports the potential for cell therapies to remain localized over an extended time frame.

Animals↗