Volumetric Electromagnetic Phase-Shift Spectroscopy of Brain Edema and Hematoma

Cesar A Gonzalez,Beatriz Velasco,Alfredo Mora,Javier Salgado,Nidiyare Hevia-Montiel,Fernando Gonzalez,Martin A Porras,Sergio Cordero,Salvador M Polo,Jose A Valencia,Boris Rubinsky,Michael Fehlings

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0063223

Abstract

Motivated by the need of poor and rural Mexico, where the population has limited access to advanced medical technology and services, we have developed a new paradigm for medical diagnostic based on the technology of “Volumetric Electromagnetic Phase Shift Spectroscopy” (VEPS), as an inexpensive partial substitute to medical imaging. VEPS, can detect changes in tissue properties inside the body through non-contact, multi-frequency electromagnetic measurements from the exterior of the body, and thereby provide rapid and inexpensive diagnostics in a way that is amenable for use in economically disadvantaged parts of the world. We describe the technology and report results from a limited pilot study with 46 healthy volunteers and eight patients with CT radiology confirmed brain edema and brain hematoma. Data analysis with a non-parametric statistical Mann-Whitney U test, shows that in the frequency range of from 26 MHz to 39 MHz, VEPS can distinguish non-invasively and without contact, with a statistical significance of p<0.05, between healthy subjects and those with a medical conditions in the brain. In the frequency range of between 153 MHz to 166 MHz it can distinguish with a statistical significance of p<0.05 between subjects with brain edema and those with a hematoma in the brain. A classifier build from measurements in these two frequency ranges can provide instantaneous diagnostic of the medical condition of the brain of a patient, from a single set of measurements. While this is a small-scale pilot study, it illustrates the potential of VEPS to change the paradigm of medical diagnostic of brain injury through a VEPS classifier-based technology. Obviously substantially larger-scale studies are needed to verify and expand on the findings in this small pilot study.

Highlights

This research was motivated by the health needs of Mexico, where 40.7% of the population is lacking access to health services [1]
If it becomes known that a condition requiring medical imaging has occurred, there is often sufficient time to transport the patient to a central facility with advanced medical imaging and save lives
To focus ideas we developed the technology for the detection of edema, hemorrhage and hematomas and ischemia [7,8,9]

Summary

Introduction

This research was motivated by the health needs of Mexico, where 40.7% of the population is lacking access to health services [1]. While required for the correct diagnostic of diseases in about 20% to 30% of cases worldwide it is not available to over 60% of the world population [2], in particular the urban and rural poor [3]. Advanced medical imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer tomography (CT), is often available in central urban facilities in most countries. Advances in wireless telecommunication and transportation have made the transportation of patients in need possible, even in parts of the world were large distances between the rural areas and central medical hubs exist; such as India. If it becomes known that a condition requiring medical imaging has occurred, there is often sufficient time to transport the patient to a central facility with advanced medical imaging and save lives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion