Home monitoring of bone density in the wrist—a parametric EIT computer modeling study. (27th April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ron, Avihai; Abboud, Shimon; Arad, Marina
• Is Part Of: Biomedical physics & engineering express. Volume 2:Number 3(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-04-27
• Subjects: wrist bone mineral density -- electrical impedance tomography -- osteoporosis; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Medical sciences -- Periodicals; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1088/2057-1976/2/3/035002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2057-1976

Abstract

Abstract: Goal. The purpose of this computer modeling study is to validate the feasibility of a home monitoring system for wrist bone mineral density (BMD) measurement which is based on the parametric electrical impedance tomography (pEIT) method. Methods. A solution to the forward problem of the developing potential around the wrist due to current injection was developed using a Matlab numerical simulation of an adult computer human phantom. The backward problem is solved by building a lookup table of different bone densities which represent different disease stages. Results. The real part of the complex potential exhibits an average change of 30.7%–12% (between the most sensitive and the least sensitive electrodes) per BMD decrease of 23%. A 2 times higher sensitivity to a deterioration of the cortical bone than of the trabecular bone alone was found. A signal to noise ratio (SNR) level above 30 dB is required for a maximal performance of the system. The robustness to a deposition of the electrodes array in different directions is limited. Conclusion. It was found that the cortical BMD changes govern the model. The required SNR level is within the specs of similar systems. In a real device, the issue of sensors repositioning should be addressed. The proposed pEIT system makes self-monitoring of wrist BMD possible. It brings an added-value by enabling the monitoring of BMD between treatments and between traditional DEXA screenings.