Improving image quality in EIT imaging by measurement of thorax excursion

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) is used to visualize the regional ventilation of the lungs using voltage measurements on the surface of the thorax. Unfortunately the image reconstruction process is sensitive to shape deformation. During breathing the inevitable expansion of the thorax influences measured boundary voltages which leads to artifacts in the reconstructed images. A camera based motion-tracking-system was used to measure thorax excursion during breathing and systematically modify measured voltages. Results indicate that image artefacts can be reduced if the measured voltages are modified based on the measured thorax excursion.