OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory condition emerging in arteries and considered the cause of a myriad of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic lesion characterization through invasive imaging modalities is essential in disease evaluation and determining intervention strategy. Recently, electrical properties of the lesions have been utilized in assessing its vulnerability mainly owing to its capability to differentiate lipid content existing in the lesion, albeit with limited detection resolution. Electrical impedance tomography is the natural extension of conventional spectrometric measurement by incorporating larger number of interrogating electrodes and advanced algorithm to achieve imaging of target objects and thus provides significantly richer information. It is within this context that we develop Outward Electrical Impedance Tomography (OEIT), aimed at intravascular imaging for atherosclerotic lesion characterization. METHODS: We utilized flexible electronics to establish the 32-electrode OEIT device with outward facing configuration suitable for imaging of vessels. We conducted comprehensive studies through simulation model and ex vivo setup to demonstrate the functionality of OEIT. RESULTS: Quantitative characterization for OEIT regarding its proximity sensing and conductivity differentiation was achieved using well-controlled experimental conditions. Imaging capability for OEIT was further verified with phantom setup using porcine aorta to emulate in vivo environment. CONCLUSION: We have successfully demonstrated a novel tool for intravascular imaging, OEIT, with unique advantages for atherosclerosis detection. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates for the first time a novel electrical tomography-based platform for intravascular imaging, and we believe it paves the way for further adaptation of OEIT for intravascular detection in more translational settings and offers great potential as an alternative imaging tool for medical diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: Atherosclerosis is a chronic immuno-inflammatory condition emerging in arteries and considered the cause of a myriad of cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerotic lesion characterization through invasive imaging modalities is essential in disease evaluation and determining intervention strategy. Recently, electrical properties of the lesions have been utilized in assessing its vulnerability mainly owing to its capability to differentiate lipid content existing in the lesion, albeit with limited detection resolution. Electrical impedance tomography is the natural extension of conventional spectrometric measurement by incorporating larger number of interrogating electrodes and advanced algorithm to achieve imaging of target objects and thus provides significantly richer information. It is within this context that we develop Outward Electrical Impedance Tomography (OEIT), aimed at intravascular imaging for atherosclerotic lesion characterization. METHODS: We utilized flexible electronics to establish the 32-electrode OEIT device with outward facing configuration suitable for imaging of vessels. We conducted comprehensive studies through simulation model and ex vivo setup to demonstrate the functionality of OEIT. RESULTS: Quantitative characterization for OEIT regarding its proximity sensing and conductivity differentiation was achieved using well-controlled experimental conditions. Imaging capability for OEIT was further verified with phantom setup using porcine aorta to emulate in vivo environment. CONCLUSION: We have successfully demonstrated a novel tool for intravascular imaging, OEIT, with unique advantages for atherosclerosis detection. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates for the first time a novel electrical tomography-based platform for intravascular imaging, and we believe it paves the way for further adaptation of OEIT for intravascular detection in more translational settings and offers great potential as an alternative imaging tool for medical diagnosis.
Authors: Andy Adler; Marcelo B Amato; John H Arnold; Richard Bayford; Marc Bodenstein; Stephan H Böhm; Brian H Brown; Inéz Frerichs; Ola Stenqvist; Norbert Weiler; Gerhard K Wolf Journal: Physiol Meas Date: 2012-04-24 Impact factor: 2.833
Authors: Ines Streitner; Markus Goldhofer; Sungbo Cho; Hagen Thielecke; Ralf Kinscherf; Florian Streitner; Jürgen Metz; Karl K Haase; Martin Borggrefe; Tim Suselbeck Journal: Atherosclerosis Date: 2009-03-25 Impact factor: 5.162
Authors: Gregory Boverman; Tzu-Jen Kao; Xin Wang; Jeffrey M Ashe; David M Davenport; Bruce C Amm Journal: Physiol Meas Date: 2016-05-20 Impact factor: 2.833
Authors: Yuqing Wan; Andrea Borsic; John Heaney; John Seigne; Alan Schned; Michael Baker; Shaun Wason; Alex Hartov; Ryan Halter Journal: Med Phys Date: 2013-06 Impact factor: 4.071
Authors: Sunny Goel; Avraham Miller; Chirag Agarwal; Elina Zakin; Michael Acholonu; Umesh Gidwani; Abhishek Sharma; Guy Kulbak; Jacob Shani; On Chen Journal: Radiol Res Pract Date: 2015-12-20