Reconstructing and Interrupting the Epileptic Circuit Activity Using Electrical Impedance Tomography and Penetrating Depth Electrodes

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: Medical Physics and Biomedical Eng

Abstract

1) Brief description of the context of the research including potential impact

The research project concerns imaging normal activity and clinical abnormalities in the brain such as stroke and epileptic seizures using the new medical imaging method of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT). This method comprises a box of electronics about the size of a hardback book and laptop and measurements are made typically using rings of ECG type electrodes. Over the past two decades, systems have been developed for imaging either fast electrical activity or else slower changes in the brain such as in stroke or epilepsy. These have been shown to work well in animal and tank studies but it has not yet been possible to translate this into hospital use. The idea of the project is to use EIT to image electrical activity in the brain in human subjects with epilepsy. This will advance understanding of how the brain codes information and assist in innovative treatments for epilepsy and psychiatric illness.

2) Aims and Objectives

-The specific objectives are to:
1. Develop advanced signal processing methods and imaging algorithms
2. Assist in the analysis of the data produced from epileptic patients' recordings.


3) Novelty of Research Methodology:

EIT can be a revolutionary advance for Epileptic seizures. EIT has 2 main advantages: The impedance is isotropic so it doesn't matter when the impedance changes, which way the dipole is facing, and the other advantage is that there is deep coverage of the location of epileptic activity when the electrode is placed on the skull. This could permit imaging of the ictal onset zone and so avoid the need for intracranial electrodes and their associated morbidity and complexity. Unlike the EEG, EIT can image deep into the head, so this would permit much more accurate diagnosis of epilepsy syndromes in an out-patient setting.


4) Alignment to EPSRC's strategies and research areas:

The project aligns with the EPSRC Healthcare technologies grand challenges. In particular, it involves "medical device design and innovation", "Disruptive technologies for sensing and analysis" cross-cutting capabilities, applied for "developing the future therapies" and "Frontiers of physical intervention"

5) Any companies or collaborators involved: Cyqiq Ltd.

Planned Impact

The critical mass of scientists and engineers that i4health will produce will ensure the UK's continued standing as a world-leader in medical imaging and healthcare technology research. In addition to continued academic excellence, they will further support a future culture of industry and entrepreneurship in healthcare technologies driven by highly trained engineers with deep understanding of the key factors involved in delivering effective translatable and marketable technology. They will achieve this through high quality engineering and imaging science, a broad view of other relevant technological areas, the ability to pinpoint clinical gaps and needs, consideration of clinical user requirements, and patient considerations. Our graduates will provide the drive, determination and enthusiasm to build future UK industry in this vital area via start-ups and spin-outs adding to the burgeoning community of healthcare-related SMEs in London and the rest of the UK. The training in entrepreneurship, coupled with the vibrant environment we are developing for this topic via unique linkage of Engineering and Medicine at UCL, is specifically designed to foster such outcomes. These same innovative leaders will bolster the UK's presence in medical multinationals - pharmaceutical companies, scanner manufacturers, etc. - and ensure the UK's competitiveness as a location for future R&D and medical engineering. They will also provide an invaluable source of expertise for the future NHS and other healthcare-delivery services enabling rapid translation and uptake of the latest imaging and healthcare technologies at the clinical front line. The ultimate impact will be on people and patients, both in the UK and internationally, who will benefit from the increased knowledge of health and disease, as well as better treatment and healthcare management provided by the future technologies our trainees will produce.

In addition to impact in healthcare research, development, and capability, the CDT will have major impact on the students we will attract and train. We will provide our talented cohorts of students with the skills required to lead academic research in this area, to lead industrial development and to make a significant impact as advocates of the science and engineering of their discipline. The i4health CDT's combination of the highest academic standards of research with excellent in-depth training in core skills will mean that our cohorts of students will be in great demand placing them in a powerful position to sculpt their own careers, have major impact within our discipline, while influencing the international mindset and direction. Strong evidence demonstrates this in our existing cohorts of students through high levels of conference podium talks in the most prestigious venues in our field, conference prizes, high impact publications in both engineering, clinical, and general science journals, as well as post-PhD fellowships and career progression. The content and training innovations we propose in i4health will ensure this continues and expands over the next decade.

Publications

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Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
EP/S021930/1 01/10/2019 31/03/2028
2578105 Studentship EP/S021930/1 01/10/2021 31/12/2021 Aya Kayal