Computerized lung acoustic monitoring can help to differentiate between various chest radiographic densities in critically ill patients.

Background: Complementary bedside lung monitoring modalities are often sought in order to assist in the differentiation between several lung opacities in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Objectives: To evaluate the use of computerized lung acoustic monitoring as a complementary approach in the differentiation between various chest radiographic densities in critically ill patients.

Methods: Lung vibration intensity was assessed in 82 intensive care patients using vibration response imaging.

Effect of airflow rate on vibration response imaging in normal lungs.

Background: Evaluating the effect of airflow rate on amplitude of lung sound energy and regional distribution of lung sounds may assist in the interpretation of computerized acoustic measurements.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of airflow rate on Vibration Response Imaging (VRI) measurement in healthy lungs.

Methods: Lung sounds were recorded from 20 healthy adults in the frequency range of 150-250 Hz using 40 piezoelectric sensors positioned on the posterior chest wall.

Changes in regional distribution of lung sounds as a function of positive end-expiratory pressure.

Introduction: Automated mapping of lung sound distribution is a novel area of interest currently investigated in mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients. The objective of the present study was to assess changes in thoracic sound distribution resulting from changes in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Repeatability of automated lung sound measurements was also evaluated.

Regional distribution of acoustic-based lung vibration as a function of mechanical ventilation mode.

Introduction: There are several ventilator modes that are used for maintenance mechanical ventilation but no conclusive evidence that one mode of ventilation is better than another. Vibration response imaging is a novel bedside imaging technique that displays vibration energy of lung sounds generated during the respiratory cycle as a real-time structural and functional image of the respiration process. In this study, we objectively evaluated the differences in regional lung vibration during different modes of mechanical ventilation by means of this new technology.

Electrical impedance scanning: a new approach to skin cancer diagnosis.

Background/aims: Skin cancer diagnosis depends, to a great extent, on visual inspection and histopathological examination of excised tissues. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of electrical impedance scanning to differentiate between benign and malignant skin lesions.

Methods: A preclinical study was conducted on 40 nude mice injected subcutaneously with a human melanoma strain.

Novel EIS postprocessing algorithm for breast cancer diagnosis.

A new postprocessing algorithm was developed for the diagnosis of breast cancer using electrical impedance scanning. This algorithm automatically recognizes bright focal spots in the conductivity map of the breast. Moreover, this algorithm discriminates between malignant and benign/normal tissues using two main predictors: phase at 5 kHz and crossover frequency, the frequency at which the imaginary part of the admittance is at its maximum.