Conductivity and Current Density Imaging of Animal Subject using MREIT Technique

We present cross-sectional conductivity and current density images of an animal subject using a 3T Magnetic Resonance Electrical Impedance Tomography (MREIT) system. We injected currents into a postmortem 10Kg piglet in two different directions and measured the induced magnetic flux densities using a 3T MRI scanner. In order to handle defects in the measurements due to MR signal void in a gas-filled internal organ, we developed and applied a data recovery method. Reconstructed conductivity and current density images have a pixel size of 1.56×1.56mm. The results demonstrate that MREIT can provide images with a spatial resolution comparable to that of conventional MR images as long as we inject enough currents into the subject. Further animal experiments are needed to find ways to reduce the amount of injection current so that the technique can be applied to human subjects. Keywords—MREIT, magnetic flux density, conductivity image, animal experiment