EIT system and reconstruction algorithm adapted for skin cancer imaging

To support early diagnosis of skin cancer and minimize the risk of developing metastases, electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a promising technique. EIT is a bio-medical technique for imaging the electrical conductivity distribution of a body segment. The aim of this study is to adapt an EIT system for skin cancer screening. A 3-D finite element model (FEM) of the skin was first developed. This model was used to study the electrical behavior of cutaneous layers and identify the operating frequencies to properly discriminate malignant from benign lesions. Simulated data obtained with the FEM model were used to develop image reconstruction algorithms for visualizing and discriminating skin lesions. Furthermore, according to the specifications obtained from the model, electronic circuits and a handheld probe incorporating a disposable 16-electrode array were designed and built. The system and reconstruction algorithms were validated in vitro and measurements showed great correlation with simulations.

[1]  Robert E. Sandstrom,et al.  Pathology of the Skin With Clinical Correlations , 1990 .

[2]  William R B Lionheart,et al.  GREIT: a unified approach to 2D linear EIT reconstruction of lung images , 2009, Physiological measurement.

[3]  A Adler,et al.  Objective selection of hyperparameter for EIT , 2006, Physiological measurement.

[4]  Hervé Gagnon,et al.  A 3-D Hybrid Finite Element Model to Characterize the Electrical Behavior of Cutaneous Tissues , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[5]  M. Topaz,et al.  Electrical Impedance Scanning for Melanoma Diagnosis: A Validation Study , 2005, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[6]  A. Giblin,et al.  Incidence, mortality and survival in cutaneous melanoma. , 2007, Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS.

[7]  G. Jemec,et al.  Diagnosis of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer/Keratinocyte Carcinoma: A Review of Diagnostic Accuracy of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Diagnostic Tests and Technologies , 2007, Dermatologic surgery : official publication for American Society for Dermatologic Surgery [et al.].

[8]  Paul Geladi,et al.  Skin cancer identification using multifrequency electrical impedance-a potential screening tool , 2004, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[9]  Ashfaq A Marghoob,et al.  Instruments and new technologies for the in vivo diagnosis of melanoma. , 2003, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

[10]  Andy Adler,et al.  Real-Time Management of Faulty Electrodes in Electrical Impedance Tomography , 2009, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[11]  D. Miklavčič,et al.  ELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF TISSUES , 2006 .

[12]  R. Steiner,et al.  Optical Coherence Tomography: Clinical Applications in Dermatology , 2003 .

[13]  Orna Filo,et al.  Electrical impedance scanning: a new approach to skin cancer diagnosis , 2003, Skin research and technology : official journal of International Society for Bioengineering and the Skin (ISBS) [and] International Society for Digital Imaging of Skin (ISDIS) [and] International Society for Skin Imaging.

[14]  Thomas C. Ferrée,et al.  Weighted regularization in electrical impedance tomography with applications to acute cerebral stroke , 2002, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging.