Non-Invasive Monitoring of Intra-Abdominal Bleeding Rate Using Electrical Impedance Tomography

摘要

Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) may be useful in continuous non-invasive monitoring of suspected abdominal bleeding in battlefield casualties subsequent to blunt trauma. We are developing a novel EIT system involving an electrode array applied only to the anterior abdomen. We believe this will speed this method's path to practical use. Much of the work in the revised Statement of Work has been completed. A no cost extension was granted to complete this work due to equipment and approval problems delaying initiation of the clinical phase. We have successfully devised a method to translate data gathered from a novel eight-electrode array to quantity of blood- like anomaly. We have performed tests on volunteer subjects to determine the extent of breathing and motion artifacts on measurements. While breathing can have large effects, normal breathing does not obscure detection of ingested blood-like fluids. The EPack system has been reconstructed to improve its robustness. Two publications, three conference presentations, a PhD proposal and two related patents have been published or granted.