Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

John C Goble

David Isaacson

Jonathan C Newell

David G Gisser

Gary Jude Saulnier

Margaret Cheney

Raymond D Cook

An apparatus for electrical impedance imaging of a body includes an array of multiple electrodes. Each is connected to an adjustable amplitude precision current source of fixed frequency and an oversampling type digital voltmeter. The current amplitudes are set to produce a series of spatial current patterns, all orthogonal to each other, and each applied for only a short time interval while voltages are measured. The voltage and current values are used to create real and reactive impedance images of the interior of the body.

High-speed electric tomography

A method of practicing electrical impedance tomography produces three-dimensional images of a body. First, one applies certain special current patterns to the body through an array of electrodes attached to the surface. For each current pattern, one measures the voltage at each electrode, thus obtaining a corresponding pattern of voltages. These data are then used in a certain special reconstruction process, which enables a full three-dimensional reconstruction to be done in a short time. The result is a display of an approximation to the electric conductivity and/or electric permittivity in the interior of the body.

Three-dimensional impedance imaging processes

In an electrical impedance imaging system that is capable of forming images based on internal resistivity of a body, an array of electrodes is applied to the surface of the body and energized by a plurality of current generators. Each current generator is controlled to produce current patterns containing single fixed magnitudes. The current generators are also controlled to apply current to the respective electrode only when the current generator is at peak current value to minimize transient conditions and maximize the rate at which images can be produced.

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West Berne, NY, United States of America

John C Goble