Real-time 3D electrical impedance imaging for ventilation and perfusion of the lung in lateral decubitus position.

We report a prototype Electrical Impedance Imaging System. It is able to detect the gravity-induced changes in the distributions of perfusion and ventilation in the lung between supine and lateral decubitus positions. Impedance data were collected on healthy volunteer subjects and 3D reconstructed images were produced in real-time, 20 frames per second on site, without using averaging or a contrast agent. Imaging data also can be reconstructed offline for further analysis.