A New Head Phantom With Realistic Shape and Spatially Varying Skull Resistivity Distribution

Brain electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is an emerging method for monitoring brain injuries. To effectively evaluate brain EIT systems and reconstruction algorithms, we have developed a novel head phantom that features realistic anatomy and spatially varying skull resistivity. The head phantom was created with three layers, representing scalp, skull, and brain tissues. The fabrication process entailed 3-D printing of the anatomical geometry for mold creation followed by casting to ensure high geometrical precision and accuracy of the resistivity distribution. We evaluated the accuracy and stability of the phantom. Results showed that the head phantom achieved high geometric accuracy, accurate skull resistivity values, and good stability over time and in the frequency domain. Experimental impedance reconstructions performed using the head phantom and computer simulations were found to be consistent for the same perturbation object. In conclusion, this new phantom could provide a more accurate test platform for brain EIT research.

[1]  V Vidyashree Nandini,et al.  Alginate impressions: A practical perspective , 2008, Journal of conservative dentistry : JCD.

[2]  James G Chase,et al.  Silicone breast phantoms for elastographic imaging evaluation. , 2013, Medical physics.

[3]  Anders Eriksson,et al.  Alginate impressions for fixed prosthodontics. A 20 year follow up study. , 2004, Swedish dental journal.

[4]  Mika Salmi,et al.  [Medical applications of rapid prototyping--three-dimensional bodies for planning and implementation of treatment and for tissue replacement]. , 2010, Duodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja.

[5]  O P Shaba,et al.  Dimensional stability of alginate impression material over a four hours time frame. , 2007, Nigerian quarterly journal of hospital medicine.

[6]  P A Webb,et al.  A review of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques in the medical and biomedical sector , 2000, Journal of medical engineering & technology.

[7]  Bing Li,et al.  In Vivo Imaging of Twist Drill Drainage for Subdural Hematoma: A Clinical Feasibility Study on Electrical Impedance Tomography for Measuring Intracranial Bleeding in Humans , 2013, PloS one.

[8]  Roberto Guerrieri,et al.  A Four-Shell Diffusion Phantom of the Head for Electrical Impedance Tomography , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[9]  Liu Ruigang,et al.  High precision Multifrequency Electrical Impedance Tomography System and Preliminary imaging results on saline tank , 2005, 2005 IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology 27th Annual Conference.

[10]  J. Faber,et al.  Rapid prototyping as a tool for diagnosis and treatment planning for maxillary canine impaction. , 2006, American journal of orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics : official publication of the American Association of Orthodontists, its constituent societies, and the American Board of Orthodontics.

[11]  R H Bayford,et al.  Bioimpedance tomography (electrical impedance tomography). , 2006, Annual review of biomedical engineering.

[12]  Chi Tang,et al.  Image reconstruction incorporated with the skull inhomogeneity for electrical impedance tomography , 2008, Comput. Medical Imaging Graph..

[13]  Thom F. Oostendorp,et al.  The conductivity of the human skull: results of in vivo and in vitro measurements , 2000, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[14]  Roger J Ordidge,et al.  Design, construction and evaluation of an anthropomorphic head phantom with realistic susceptibility artifacts , 2007, Journal of magnetic resonance imaging : JMRI.

[15]  Martin Wolf,et al.  The influence of a clear layer on near infrared spectrophotometry: comparison of measurements in a liquid neonatal head phantom to infants in vivo. , 2003, Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology.

[16]  R H Bayford,et al.  The effect of layers in imaging brain function using electrical impedance tomograghy. , 2004, Physiological measurement.

[17]  Feng Fu,et al.  Image reconstruction for Magnetic Induction Tomography and Preliminary simulations on a simple head model , 2007, 2007 29th Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society.

[18]  Mika Salmi,et al.  Teollisen pikavalmistuksen lääketieteelliset sovellutukset , 2010 .

[19]  R H Bayford,et al.  Validation of a 3D reconstruction algorithm for EIT of human brain function in a realistic head-shaped tank. , 2001, Physiological measurement.

[20]  Xuetao Shi,et al.  An optimized strategy for real-time hemorrhage monitoring with electrical impedance tomography , 2011, Physiological measurement.

[21]  D. Louis Collins,et al.  Design and construction of a realistic digital brain phantom , 1998, IEEE Transactions on Medical Imaging.

[22]  Jerry Bieszczad,et al.  Creation of a Human Head Phantom for Testing of Electroencephalography Equipment and Techniques , 2012, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[23]  K Torres,et al.  Application of rapid prototyping techniques for modelling of anatomical structures in medical training and education. , 2011, Folia morphologica.

[24]  J. Winder,et al.  Medical rapid prototyping technologies: state of the art and current limitations for application in oral and maxillofacial surgery. , 2005, Journal of oral and maxillofacial surgery : official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

[25]  Ann-Katherine Carton,et al.  Development of a physical 3D anthropomorphic breast phantom. , 2011, Medical physics.

[26]  R. W. Lau,et al.  The dielectric properties of biological tissues: II. Measurements in the frequency range 10 Hz to 20 GHz. , 1996, Physics in medicine and biology.

[27]  R Bayford,et al.  Measurement of electrical current density distribution in a simple head phantom with magnetic resonance imaging. , 1999, Physics in medicine and biology.

[28]  J.P. Kaipio,et al.  Three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography based on the complete electrode model , 1999, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[29]  Richard H. Bayford,et al.  Electrical impedance tomography of human brain function using reconstruction algorithms based on the finite element method , 2003, NeuroImage.

[30]  S. K. Law,et al.  Thickness and resistivity variations over the upper surface of the human skull , 2005, Brain Topography.

[31]  M Wilson,et al.  Evaluation of a new antiseptic-containing alginate impression material , 1990, British Dental Journal.

[32]  Guang Cheng,et al.  Correlation Between Structure and Resistivity Variations of the Live Human Skull , 2008, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.

[33]  Ahmet Hilmi Kaya,et al.  A training model head of plaster of Paris for stereotactic localization. , 2007, Surgical neurology.

[34]  C Gabriel,et al.  The dielectric properties of biological tissues: I. Literature survey. , 1996, Physics in medicine and biology.

[35]  E L Madsen,et al.  Anthropomorphic 1H MRS head phantom. , 1998, Medical physics.

[36]  M R Schneider,et al.  A multistage process for computing virtual dipolar sources of EEG discharges from surface information. , 1972, IEEE transactions on bio-medical engineering.

[37]  Stefan Schmieder,et al.  Laser based rapid prototyping for imprint technology and micro fluidics , 2012 .

[38]  R H Bayford,et al.  A comparison of headnet electrode arrays for electrical impedance tomography of the human head. , 2003, Physiological measurement.

[39]  Andy Adler,et al.  A Resistive Mesh Phantom for Assessing the Performance of EIT Systems , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.