• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.436-442
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• 2008

Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography(MREIT) has been suggested to produce cross-sectional conductivity images of an electrically conducting object such as the human body. In most previous studies, recessed electrodes have been used to inject imaging currents into the object. An MRI scanner was used to capture induced magnetic flux density data inside the object and a conductivity image reconstruction algorithm was applied to the data. This paper reports the performance of a thin and flexible carbon-hydrogel electrode that replaces the bulky and rigid recessed electrode in previous studies. The new carbon-hydrogel electrode produces a negligible amount of artifacts in MR and conductivity images and significantly simplifies the experimental procedure. We can fabricate the electrode in different shapes and sizes. Adding a layer of conductive adhesive, we can easily attach the electrode on an irregular surface with an excellent contact. Using a pair of carbon-hydrogel electrodes with a large contact area, we may inject an imaging current with increased amplitude primarily due to a reduced average current density underneath the electrodes. Before we apply the new electrode to a human subject, we evaluated its performance by conducting MREIT imaging experiments of five swine legs. Reconstructed conductivity images of the swine legs show a good contrast among different muscles and bones. We suggest a future study of human experiments using the carbon-hydrogel electrode following the guideline proposed in this paper.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.60-60
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• 2005

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2005.09a
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• pp.56-56
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• 2005

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.269-279
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• 2002

When we inject a current into an electrically conducting subject such as a human body, voltage and current density distributions are formed inside the subject. The current density within the subject and injection current in the lead wires generate a magnetic field. This magnetic flux density within the subject distorts phase of spin-echo magnetic resonance images. In Magnetic Resonance Current Density Imaging (MRCDI) technique, we obtain internal magnetic flux density images and produce current density images from $\bigtriangledown{\times}B/\mu_\theta$. This internal information is used in Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography (MREIT) where we try to reconstruct a cross-sectional resistivity image of a subject. This paper describes numerical techniques of computing voltage. current density, and magnetic flux density within a subject due to an injection current. We use the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Biot-Savart law to calculate these variables from three-dimensional models with different internal resistivity distributions. The numerical analysis techniques described in this paper are used in the design of MRCDI experiments and also image reconstruction a1gorithms for MREIT.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.503-510
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• 2001

In this paper. we describe a 32-channel bioimpedance measurement system It consists of 32 independent constant current sources of 50 kHz sinusoid. The amplitude of each current source can be adjusted using a 12-bit MDAC. After we applied a pattern of injection currents through 32 current injection electrodes. we measured induced boundary voltages using a variable-gain narrow-band instrumentation amplifier. a Phase-sensitive demodulator. and a 12-bit ADC. The system is interfaced to a PC for the control and data acquisition. We used the system to detect anomalies with different resistivity values in a saline Phantom with 290mm diameter The accuracy of the developed system was estimated as 2.42% and we found that anomalies larger than 8mm in diameter can be detected. We Plan to improve the accuracy by using a digital oscillator improved current sources by feedback control, Phase-sensitive A/D conversion. etc. to detect anomalies smaller than 1mm in diameter.