Solution of 2D MIT Forward Problem by Considering Skin and Proximity Effects in Coils

Previous studies on the forward problem of magnetic induction tomography (MIT) have used simplified Maxwell's equations which assume a constant and position-independent total current density (TCD) inside the coils (ignoring skin effect). Moreover, they assume that TCD is independent of relative position of the coils (ignoring proximity effect). This article presents an improved finite element (FE) modeling for the two-dimensional (2D) forward problem of MIT by incorporating skin and proximity effects in the exciter and sensor coils. Consideration of skin and proximity effects requires the use of a position-dependent TCD in Maxwell's equations inside the coil domain. The FE method implementation of the improved forward method is validated with a simple analytical test problem. To evaluate the performance of the improved method in possible medical and industrial applications with low conductivity regions, a 16 coils 2D MIT system is modeled and the FE method is employed to solve the forward problem using a synthetic phantom. Results show the difference between the real parts of induced voltages obtained from the early and improved method falls into the range which is meaningful in terms of achievable conductivity contrast from the improved one. This discrepancy can generate considerable errors in image reconstruction. By considering skin and proximity effects, the improved method generates lower voltages in the coils suggesting the use of more precise hardware to detect inclusion. Findings show the importance and necessity of using improved method for modeling 2D MIT coils especially at low conductivity applications where measured signals are inherently weak.