Multifrequency and parametric EIT images of neonatal lungs

Abstract

The aims of the study were to investigate the problems involved in making multifrequency EIT measurements on neonates and to compare the images obtained with the results from a group of normal adults. The Sheffield electrical impedance tomographic spectroscopy (EITS) system acquires multifrequency data using a set of eight drive and eight receive electrodes. EITS measurements were made on an inhomogeneous group of 10 neonates admitted to the special care baby unit for observation and feeding. R/S, characteristic frequency, RC and SC parameters were generated using the Cole equation. Comparisons of the parameters were made with data collected from normal adults in another study. We have shown that it is possible to obtain EITS parametric images of neonatal lungs and that there are some differences in Cole parameters between the adult and neonatal groups.