Effect of Skin Layer on Electric Impedance Scanning Imaging

Abstract

In study of Electric Impedance Scanning Imaging (EISI), some scholars believe that low electrical impedance of skin layer will reduce detection sensitivity of imaging system. However, in the previous numerical model analysis, there is little work to analyze the influence of skin layer. Based on actual size, electrical parameters of Chinese female breasts and detection probe structure, static electric field equation was solved by finite element method. Results show that skin layer not only reduces current detected by probe, but also significantly reduces sensitivity of probe. The smaller the conductivity of skin layer, the more obvious decrease in sensitivity. In practice, if conductivity of skin layer can be improved by some means, sensitivity of probe can be increased. Furthermore, if thickness and conductivity parameters of skin layer can be accurately obtained, and then influence of skin layer in overall EISI image can be eliminated, imaging quality and detection sensitivity of system should be significantly improved.