A mathematical and numerical framework for ultrasonically-induced Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography

We provide a mathematical analysis and a numerical framework for Lorentz force electrical conductivity imaging. Ultrasonic vibration of a tissue in the presence of a static magnetic field induces an electrical current by the Lorentz force. This current can be detected by electrodes placed around the tissue; it is proportional to the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse, but depends nonlinearly on the conductivity distribution. The imaging problem is to reconstruct the conductivity distribution from measurements of the induced current. To solve this nonlinear inverse problem, we first make use of a virtual potential to relate explicitly the current measurements to the conductivity distribution and the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse. Then, by applying a Wiener filter to the measured data, we reduce the problem to imaging the conductivity from an internal electric current density. We first introduce an optimal control method for solving such a problem. A new direct reconstruction scheme involving a partial differential equation is then proposed based on viscosity-type regularization to a transport equation satisfied by the current density field. We prove that solving such an equation yields the true conductivity distribution as the regularization parameter approaches zero. We also test both schemes numerically in the presence of measurement noise, quantify their stability and resolution, and compare their performance

A mathematical and numerical framework for ultrasonically-induced Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography

We provide a mathematical analysis and a numerical framework for Lorentz force electrical conductivity imaging. Ultrasonic vibration of a tissue in the presence of a static magnetic field induces an electrical current by the Lorentz force. This current can be detected by electrodes placed around the tissue; it is proportional to the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse, but depends nonlinearly on the conductivity distribution. The imaging problem is to reconstruct the conductivity distribution from measurements of the induced current. To solve this nonlinear inverse problem, we first make use of a virtual potential to relate explicitly the current measurements to the conductivity distribution and the velocity of the ultrasonic pulse. Then, by applying a Wiener filter to the measured data, we reduce the problem to imaging the conductivity from an internal electric current density. We first introduce an optimal control method for solving such a problem. A new direct reconstruction scheme involving a partial differential equation is then proposed based on viscosity-type regularization to a transport equation satisfied by the current density field. We prove that solving such an equation yields the true conductivity distribution as the regularization parameter approaches zero. We also test both schemes numerically in the presence of measurement noise, quantify their stability and resolution, and compare their performance. © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS

A mathematical and numerical framework for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction

We provide a mathematical analysis and a numerical framework for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction. The imaging problem is to reconstruct the conductivity distribution of biological tissue from measurements of the Lorentz force induced tissue vibration. We begin with reconstructing from the acoustic measurements the divergence of the Lorentz force, which is acting as the source term in the acoustic wave equation. Then we recover the electric current density from the divergence of the Lorentz force. To solve the nonlinear inverse conductivity problem, we introduce an optimal control method for reconstructing the conductivity from the electric current density. We prove its convergence and stability. We also present a point fixed approach and prove its convergence to the true solution. A new direct reconstruction scheme involving a partial differential equation is then proposed based on viscosity-type regularization to a transport equation satisfied by the electric current density field. We prove that solving such an equation yields the true conductivity distribution as the regularization parameter approaches zero. Finally, we test the three schemes numerically in the presence of measurement noise, quantify their stability and resolution, and compare their performance. © 2015 Elsevier Inc

Electric and Magnetic Manipulation of Liquid Metals

Over the past decade, gallium-based liquid metals have attracted enormous attention, emerging as a new cutting-edge multi-functional material for reconfigurable electronics, soft robotics, microfluidics, and biomedical applications, based on utilizing the intrinsic advantages of liquid metal. These unique advantages that combine high electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, biocompatibility, low mechanical compliance, and viscosity all-in-one make the liquid metal applicable for a tremendous number of applications. Moreover, the self-passivating oxide skin of the liquid metal in an ambient environment forms a unique core (oxide skin)-shell (liquid metal) structure and provides a new strategy for two-dimensional thin films with a thickness of a few nanometers. The reports on the liquid metal can be mainly divided into three categories: 1) liquid-metal-based composite structures; 2) the core-shell strategy for thin films; and 3) electrochemical manipulation of the liquid metal in electrolyte. The liquid metal (LM) composites represent material systems in which LM alloys are either suspended as small droplets within a soft polymer matrix or mixed with metallic nanoparticles to form a biphasic composition, through which the electrical, dielectric, and thermal properties of composites can be controlled, thus enabling their applications in soft-matter sensing, actuation, and energy harvesting. Moreover, the fluidity and conductivity of the liquid metal make it suitable to be directly patterned (i.e., liquid metal ink) on various soft substrates (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for ultra-stretchable electronics. Compared to the traditional electronics, which are typically composed of intrinsically rigid materials that have limited deformability, the liquid metal based soft electronics are highly flexible, stretchable, and conformable. Most importantly, they are capable of electrical self-healing, enabling their electrical functionality, even under severe damage. These properties and applications of liquid metal composites show great potential for practical usage

The Linearized Inverse Problem in Multifrequency Electrical Impedance Tomography

This paper provides an analysis of the linearized inverse problem in multifrequency electrical impedance tomography. We consider an isotropic conductivity distribution with a finite number of unknown inclusions with different frequency dependence, as is often seen in biological tissues. We discuss reconstruction methods for both fully known and partially known spectral profiles, and demonstrate in the latter case the successful employment of difference imaging. We also study the reconstruction with an imperfectly known boundary, and show that the multifrequency approach can eliminate modeling errors and recover almost all inclusions. In addition, we develop an efficient group sparse recovery algorithm for the robust solution of related linear inverse problems. Several numerical simulations are presented to illustrate and validate the approach.Comment: 25 pp, 11 figure

Viscoelasticity Imaging of Biological Tissues and Single Cells Using Shear Wave Propagation

Changes in biomechanical properties of biological soft tissues are often associated with physiological dysfunctions. Since biological soft tissues are hydrated, viscoelasticity is likely suitable to represent its solid-like behavior using elasticity and fluid-like behavior using viscosity. Shear wave elastography is a non-invasive imaging technology invented for clinical applications that has shown promise to characterize various tissue viscoelasticity. It is based on measuring and analyzing velocities and attenuations of propagated shear waves. In this review, principles and technical developments of shear wave elastography for viscoelasticity characterization from organ to cellular levels are presented, and different imaging modalities used to track shear wave propagation are described. At a macroscopic scale, techniques for inducing shear waves using an external mechanical vibration, an acoustic radiation pressure or a Lorentz force are reviewed along with imaging approaches proposed to track shear wave propagation, namely ultrasound, magnetic resonance, optical, and photoacoustic means. Then, approaches for theoretical modeling and tracking of shear waves are detailed. Following it, some examples of applications to characterize the viscoelasticity of various organs are given. At a microscopic scale, a novel cellular shear wave elastography method using an external vibration and optical microscopy is illustrated. Finally, current limitations and future directions in shear wave elastography are presented