Researchers from the University of Dhaka have investigated methods to improve the sensitivity of electrical bioimpedance measurements for breast cancer detection. Their study, titled “Enhancement of Sensitivity in Electrical Bioimpedance Measurements Using Contrast Agents”, presented at the 2024 6th International Conference on Electrical Engineering and Information & Communication Technology (ICEEICT), examines the use of ionic liquids as contrast agents to improve differentiation between malignant and healthy breast tissues.
*Roy, C., Ali, M.S., Abdullah, M.T., Imran, M.I.A., Kadir, M.A. Enhancement of Sensitivity in Electrical Bioimpedance Measurements Using Contrast Agents. IEEE Xplore (2024). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10534408
This study utilized Sciospec’s ISX-5 impedance analyzer for experimental measurements, exploring the potential of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in breast cancer diagnostics. By assessing impedance variations across different tissue models, the research contributes to ongoing efforts to enhance bioimpedance-based tumor detection.
This article reviews the study’s findings, discusses the role of impedance measurement in addressing key challenges, and highlights how Sciospec’s ISX-5 technology supports advances in biomedical diagnostics
📌 Want to elevate your research with high-precision impedance analysis? Discover the full potential of the ISX-5 and how it can enhance your studies. Explore More
Detecting tumors with high sensitivity and specificity is a persistent challenge in medical diagnostics. Traditional imaging methods like mammography and MRI can be expensive and not always effective in early-stage tumor detection. Electrical bioimpedance (EBI) offers a promising alternative—a non-invasive, radiation-free technique that distinguishes between healthy and malignant tissues based on their electrical properties.
What This Study Did ?
To improve the accuracy of Electrical bioimpedance measurements, the researchers introduced ionic liquids as contrast agents to enhance localized sensitivity in breast cancer detection.
The team created a simplified hemispherical breast model and used agar-based phantoms to replicate breast tissue properties. For experimental validation, impedance was measured across multiple frequencies using Sciospec’s ISX-5 impedance analyzer, which played a crucial role in obtaining precise multi-frequency impedance values in these setups.
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The use of electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in this study showcases its potential as a non-invasive, radiation-free technique for tissue characterization. Sciospec’s technology, particularly the ISX-5 impedance analyzer, provides researchers with a powerful tool to conduct such innovative studies, pushing the boundaries of biomedical research and diagnostic capabilities.
Sciospec’s ISX-5 multi-frequency impedance analyzer played a vital role in validating the experimental results of this study.
By leveraging Sciospec’s advanced EIS technology, the study confirmed that impedance spectroscopy is a powerful tool for non-invasive breast cancer detection, paving the way for future clinical applications.
📌Interested in learning more about cancer detection? Explore our FAQ Section below for additional insights
For researchers investigating bioimpedance variations in tumor tissues, precision is everything. Differentiating between malignant and healthy tissues requires capturing subtle electrical property changes across multiple frequencies, ensuring that even minor impedance variations are accurately measured.
With the ISX-5 impedance analyzer, researchers can:
🔬Capture Small Differences with Ultra-High Sensitivity :
When working with contrast agents like ionic liquids, even the smallest impedance shifts matter. The ISX-5, with its 0.01% base precision, ensures that these differences are detected and analyzed with confidence.
📊 Analyze Tissue Properties Across a Wide Frequency Range :
Breast tissue exhibits frequency-dependent electrical behavior. The ISX-5 allows researchers to scan from 100 µHz to 100 MHz, enabling comprehensive tissue characterization at multiple depth levels.
⚡Get Immediate Multi-Frequency Readings for Faster Analysis :
Speed is critical when testing new diagnostic techniques. The ISX-5 delivers real-time impedance measurements, allowing researchers to quickly assess the impact of contrast agents on bioimpedance sensitivity—without delays.
🛠️ Adapt to Any Experimental Setup with Flexible Electrode Configurations :
Not all bioimpedance studies use the same electrode layouts. The ISX-5 supports 2, 3, and 4-electrode setups, making it adaptable to various tissue phantoms, in-vitro studies, and preclinical models.
🚀 Want to elevate your bioimpedance research? Discover how the ISX-5 can transform your studies. Explore More
For researchers requiring high-density electrode configurations, Sciospec offers scalable solutions through custom multiplexers. The ISX-5 can be combined with multiplexers to expand channel counts, making it suitable for larger-scale bioimpedance studies, multi-site tumor detection, and whole-body impedance analysis.
✔ Modular Expansion: Easily integrates with 32, 64, or more channels.
✔ Automated Switching: Ensures smooth, precise data acquisition across multiple measurement points.
✔ Optimized for High-Throughput Research: Perfect for large-scale bioimpedance applications in medical and clinical diagnostics.
As research in this field progresses, the combination of advanced contrast agents and sophisticated impedance measurement technology like the ISX-5 could lead to the development of more accurate, accessible, and cost-effective breast cancer screening methods.
The ISX-5 has already been a key tool in bioimpedance research, including studies on biological tissue characterization. To see how it has been used in previous work, read ‘The Effects of Temperature on Electrical Impedance of Biological Tissues’ for more details. Read More
As your research progresses toward human trials and safety, it’s crucial to consider the impact of precision and reliability in the tools you use. Sciospec offers specialized impedance analysis solutions, including the medical research ISX-3 impedance analyzer, engineered with advanced safety features specifically for clinical research settings. These solutions incorporate enhanced isolation, protection circuits, and comply with relevant medical device standards to ensure patient safety during experimentation and diagnostics.
Whether you are exploring new contrast agents, as seen in the University of Dhaka’s study, or advancing multi-frequency impedance measurements, you can rely on Sciospec’s medical research ISX-3 to maintain the highest safety standards throughout the process.
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Our experts are ready to help you understanding how this technology works and how you can apply and integrate it into your work. Get in touch today to get a personalized consultation to enhance your work with our advanced solutions
Contrast agents are substances used to enhance the contrast between different tissues or structures in medical imaging and diagnostic techniques. In the context of electrical measurements, they are specific sensitizer materials with dielectric properties substantially different from surrounding tissues. Their utility lies in altering the electrical properties of specific regions to enhance sensitivity and obtain localized information, ultimately improving diagnostic accuracy.
Contrast agents, such as ionic liquids, significantly improve the sensitivity of measurements by altering the electrical properties of specific regions within the tissue. In this study, the introduction of ionic liquids increased the impedance ratio between malignant and normal tissues from 1.5 to 2.6, enhancing the ability to differentiate between healthy and cancerous tissues.
Ionic liquids offer several advantages:
The breast phantoms were created using a 3D-printed hemispherical mold filled with an agar solution. The agar mixture was prepared with deionized water and sodium chloride to achieve the desired electrical conductivity mimicking breast tissue. For the tumor model, a separate spherical mold was used, and red food coloring was added for visual distinction. The tumor was then embedded within the larger breast model.
The electrode configuration significantly impacts measurement sensitivity. The study found that the percentage contribution of the region of interest (tumor) to the total impedance varied with electrode separation. An optimal electrode separation of 4.24 cm was determined to provide the highest contribution from the tumor region, allowing for more accurate measurements and better differentiation between healthy and cancerous tissues.
Key metrics include:
The Volume of Tissue Activated (VTA) refers to the region of brain tissue that is directly affected by the electrical stimulation from the DBS electrode. Accurately predicting the VTA is crucial for optimizing DBS parameters to maximize therapeutic benefits and minimize side effects.
Wearable devices require precise, real-time EDA tracking to provide meaningful insights into stress, emotions, and mental well-being. Multi-frequency impedance measurement enables:
✔ More accurate stress quantification in real-world settings
✔ Differentiation between emotional responses & external factors
✔ Continuous monitoring for long-term mental health applications
💡 Sciospec’s ISX-3 is designed to support advanced impedance measurement in wearable research and stress monitoring applications.
This research highlights the power of electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy (EIS) in improving breast cancer detection. The study’s use of ionic liquids as contrast agents, combined with the high-precision capabilities of Sciospec’s ISX-5 impedance analyzer, represents a major step forward in non-invasive diagnostics.
As bioimpedance continues to gain recognition in medical research, Sciospec remains at the forefront, providing cutting-edge solutions that empower scientists, engineers, and clinicians worldwide. Whether for oncology, neuroscience, or other biomedical applications, our technology ensures accuracy, flexibility, and scalability.
Interested in exploring how Sciospec can support your research?
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