Electrical Impedance Computed Tomography (ICT): A New CT Imaging Technique

The results of our initial studies of a new method of CT imaging are presented. The technique does not use x rays, but rather employs a weak electrical current to map out the electrical properties of the tissues in a tomographic slice. Results of preliminary computer simulations are described and discussed. Compared to x-ray CT, we expect ICT to have the following advantages: (1) reduced biological hazard, (2) less expensive hardware, (3) easily extended to full 3-D image, (4) very high data rates, (5) ability to make unique physiological measurements.