Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy for Characterization of Vessel Wall: a Basic Study of Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy for Intravascular Diagnosis and Therapy Monitoring of Atherosclerosis

The goal of this research includes the conception, development and evaluation of an electrical impedance-based method for the intravascular diagnosis and therapy monitoring of atherosclerosis. It was described how the change of tissue parameters on the cellular level can be characterized electrically by impedance spectroscopy to aid basic understanding of the impedance of vessel tissue. From in vitro experiments, it was shown that the cellular alterations in cell assemblies on atherosclerotic pathology are well monitored by impedance spectroscopy. For intravascular impedance measurement, a balloon impedance catheter with integrated flexible microelectrodes was developed and characterized. Through animal tests, it was demonstrated that the aortas containing fatty plaques can be distinguished from normal aortas by intravascular impedance measurement with the developed balloon impedance catheter system.