Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: This study presents a novel clinical imaging system based on Magnetic Induction Tomography (MIT) for real-time respiratory function monitoring, addressing critical limitations in existing bedside pulmonary imaging. In intensive care units (ICUs), continuous monitoring of pulmonary activity is essential for mechanically ventilated patients, yet traditional methods like X-ray CT are unsuitable for repeated use due to ionizing radiation. While Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) has emerged as a primary alternative, its reliance on skin-contact electrodes leads to widespread clinical challenges, including frequent electrode detachment, failure, and compromised hygiene in high-mobility or critically ill patients. These issues not only limit monitoring continuity but also increase infection risks and clinical workloads. To overcome these barriers, this work demonstrates a contactless, non-invasive MIT system featuring a 16-channel multifrequency sensor array (400 kHz-9 MHz). Unlike the EIT, MIT eliminates direct skin contact, mitigating risks of electrode-related failures and enhancing patient comfort. In-vivo experiments with 8 healthy volunteers demonstrate that the system reliably reconstructs respiratory-induced thoracic conductivity changes. The results show a very first use case of the MIT imaging for in vivo inner organ imaging. The results highlight MIT's potential as a cost-effective, real-time imaging modality for continuous respiratory monitoring in clinical environments.
Authors: Manuchehr Soleimani, Emma Hudson, Maomao Zhang, Gavin Dingley
Language: English
Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4413273665