From 3D tissue data to impedance using Simpleware ScanFE+IP and COMSOL Multiphysics – a tutorial

Tools such as Simpleware ScanIP+FE and COMSOL Multiphysics allow us to gain a better understanding of bioimpedance measurements without actually doing the measurements. This tutorial will cover the steps needed to go from a 3D voxel data set to a model that can be used to simulate a transfer impedance measurement. Geometrical input data used in this tutorial are from MRI scan of a human thigh, which are converted to a mesh using Simpleware ScanIP+FE. The mesh is merged with electrical properties for the relevant tissues, and a simulation is done in COMSOL Multiphysics. Available numerical output data are transfer impedance, contribution from different tissues to final transfer impedance, and voltages at electrodes. Available volume output data are normal and reciprocal current densities, potential, sensitivity, and volume impedance sensitivity. The output data are presented as both numbers and graphs. The tutorial will be useful even if data from other sources such as VOXEL-MAN or CT scans are used.