Sensor belt and positioning aid for electro-impedance tomography imaging in neonates
Inventors
Krammer, Peter • Waldmann, Andreas • Brunner, Josef
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11793418-B2
Publication Date
2023-10-24
Expiration Date
Abstract
A system for EIT imaging comprises an electrode array for positioning on a patient and measuring an impedance distribution, a data entry unit and a calculation unit. The electrode array contains a visual aid coupled to the electrode array for visually indicating the position of at least one electrode, the data entry module accepts an entry of data describing the position of the visual aid, and the calculation unit calculates the position of the individual electrodes relative to the patient's body and provides correction for the image creation algorithm. A sensor device for EIT imaging may comprise the electrode array, which is connectable to an EIT imaging system comprising a data entry unit and a calculation unit. An EIT imaging method may employ the system or sensor device.
Core Innovation
Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) imaging determines pulmonary function and/or cardiac function by measuring an impedance distribution with a belt structure comprising an electrode array configured for positioning on a patient and connection to an EIT imaging system. The EIT imaging system includes a data entry module and a calculation unit that convert the impedance distribution into images by means of an image creation algorithm. The invention addresses inaccurate electrode-to-patient mapping when the sensor belt is not positioned in the intended way on the patient.
A visually identifiable fixed marker is coupled to the electrode array to indicate a reference position on the belt structure. The at least one visual aid provides a position indicator that conveys a value for belt structure displacement, including belt rotational deviation from a predefined position measured either in a linear dimension along a chest circumference or in an angular dimension measured around a longitudinal body axis. A characteristic feature of the patient's body is used as the reference for reading and entering patient specific data related to the position of the visual aid.
The data entry module accepts entry of data describing the position of the electrode array, including a value for belt displacement, and the calculation unit calculates positions of the individual electrodes relative to the patient's body. The calculation unit provides correction for the image creation algorithm, which converts the impedance distribution into images, by restoring an assumed electrode allocation consistent with the predefined position. The approach accounts for patient orientation versus gravity through patient position information and uses the corrected electrode positions to generate clinically interpretable lung ventilation and/or relative tidal strain images, including superposed lung lobe contour displays with spatial orientation references.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00014, clm-00020). They cover, respectively, an EIT imaging system, a belt-mounted sensor device, and an EIT imaging method that use visual aids and belt-position data to compute electrode positions and to correct an image creation algorithm.
Belt structure with electrode array and EIT interface
A belt structure comprising an electrode array for positioning on a patient and measuring an impedance distribution, configured to be connected to the EIT imaging system comprising a data entry module and a calculation unit.
Visual aid for electrode/electrode-pair position indication
The electrode array comprising at least one visual aid coupled to the electrode array for visually indicating a position of at least one electrode or an electrode pair.
Fixed visual marker with belt displacement and rotational deviation input
The at least one visual aid comprises a visual marker affixed at a fixed position on the electrode array to indicate a reference position on the belt structure, providing a position indicator to indicate a position of the at least one visual aid with respect to a value for belt structure displacement on the patient's body, wherein the visual marker provides a value for a belt structure rotational deviation from a predefined position measured either in a linear dimension along a chest circumference or in an angular dimension measured around a longitudinal body axis.
Data entry module accepting belt displacement for electrode position calculation
The data entry module is adapted to accept an entry of data describing a position of the electrode array, the entry of data comprising a value for belt structure displacement.
Calculation unit correcting image creation algorithm via electrode-position computation
The calculation unit is adapted to calculate a position of the individual electrodes relative to the patient's body and to provide correction for an image creation algorithm that converts the impedance distribution into images.
Sensor device configuration with visual marker, predefined reference, and position-indicator form
A belt structure comprising an electrode array connectable to an EIT imaging system comprising a data entry module for receiving data and a calculation unit, wherein the electrode array comprises at least one visual aid for visually indicating a position of at least a first electrode or electrode pair, and the at least one visual aid comprises a visual marker affixed at a fixed position on the electrode array indicating a reference position on the belt structure, providing a means to read or measure a position of the at least one visual aid with respect to a characteristic feature of the patient's body, and wherein said position indicator is in the form of either scales along a longitudinal edge of the electrode array or a measuring tape.
EIT imaging method using visual-aid-driven patient-specific data and belt rotational deviation correction
An EIT imaging method positioning and attaching an electrode array on a patient, measuring an impedance distribution, providing a data entry module with patient specific data, calculating an EIT image by means of an image creation algorithm taking into account the measured impedance distribution and the patient specific data, wherein the electrode array contains at least one visual aid coupled to the electrode array that allows for reading and entering the patient specific data comprising information about a position of the at least one visual aid with respect to a characteristic feature of the patient's body and providing a value for a belt rotational deviation from a predefined position measured either in a linear dimension along a chest circumference or in an angular dimension measured around a longitudinal body axis, and calculating a position of individual electrodes relative to the patient's body and providing correction for the image creation algorithm.
Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on belt-mounted electrode arrays with a fixed visual marker, position indicator inputs that quantify belt displacement including rotational deviation, and a data entry module plus calculation unit that compute electrode positions relative to the patient's body to correct an EIT image creation algorithm.
Stated Advantages
Improves EIT reconstruction accuracy despite random belt placement by providing correction for the image creation algorithm based on measured belt displacement and belt rotational deviation.
Enables clinically interpretable lung ventilation and relative tidal strain images even when the belt is displaced.
Documented Applications
Ventilated ICU neonates as an intended use for the corrected EIT imaging output.
Monitoring surfactant therapy using lung ventilation or relative tidal strain information from corrected EIT images.
Posture/recruitment assessment based on EIT-derived ventilation/relative tidal strain images and superposed lung lobe contour displays with spatial orientation references.
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