Method and apparatus for remote imaging of biological tissue by electrical impedance tomography through a communications network
AssigneeTelectroscan, Inc.
InventorsBoris Rubinsky, David Otten
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for imaging the internal structure of biological tissue from a remote location using electrical impedance tomography. The method and apparatus accomplish this by separating the functions of data acquisition from those of processing and imaging, and by connecting the data acquisition, processing and imaging components through a communications network, thus permitting the data acquisition, processing and imaging functions to be carried out at disparate locations within said network.
Claims16
A method for remotely imaging internal structures of biological tissue using the technique of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), comprising the steps of:
- electrically connecting at least two electrodes to said tissue;
- applying electrical input currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, of predetermined values to at least one of said electrodes;
- measuring the values of resulting output currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, at at least two of said electrodes;
- transmitting said values of said electrical input currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, and said values of said resulting output currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, to a remote computer through a communications network;
- calculating at said remote computer, utilizing a front tracking technique, an electrical impedance value at one or more points on said tissue by analyzing said values of said electrical input currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, and said values of said resulting output currents, voltages, or combinations thereof;
- and
- generating an image of internal structures of said tissue corresponding to said calculated impedance value or values.
An apparatus for remotely imaging internal structures of biological tissue using the technique of electrical impedance tomography (EIT), comprising:
- at least two electrodes arranged in a predetermined configuration adapted to be electrically connected to the tissue;
- a power source for applying electrical input currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, of predetermined values to at least one of said electrodes;
- electrical measuring hardware for measuring the values of resulting output currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, at at least two of said electrodes;
- communications hardware and software for transmitting said values of said electrical input currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, and said values of said resulting output currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, to a remote computer through a communications network;
- computer readable instructions for calculating at said remote computer, using a front tracking technique, an electrical impedance value at one or more points on said tissue by analyzing said values of said electrical input currents, voltages, or combinations thereof, and said values of said resulting output currents, voltages, or combinations thereof;
- and
- computer readable instructions for generating an image of an internal structure of said tissue corresponding to said calculated impedance value or values.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.