Currently, one of the methods used for tomographic imaging of living tissues is Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). EIT visualizes the internal distribution of electrical currents and impedance by attaching electrodes to the body surface. Unlike X-ray CT, EIT offers advantages such as no radiation exposure, portability, and the ability to perform continuous, long-term measurements bedside. It is primarily applied to visualize lung ventilation distribution for ventilator management.
In contrast, we have developed Current-Induced Magnetic Tomography (CIMT), a technology that measures internal current distribution non-contactedly, without attaching electrodes to the body. CIMT works by applying an electric field to the body and detecting the induced magnetic fields using high-sensitivity magnetic sensors to produce tomographic images of the body.
CIMT eliminates the need for attaching electrodes to the body. Using a sensor array equipped with magnetic sensors, the body trunk can be scanned continuously and non-invasively. This allows tomographic imaging without radiation exposure, even through clothing.
This technology is expected to enable the acquisition of tomographic images of the body with greater simplicity while in everyday clothing, paving the way for the early detection of conditions such as pneumonia, internal bleeding, and even cancer. Moreover, it operates safely, using only the level of current found in body fat analyzers.