Electrical Impedance Tomography is a new medical imaging method which enables images of the internal electrical impedance of a subject to be produced with arrays or external electrodes. Originally developed for imaging lung ventilation, it has unique potential in imaging the brain and nerves, where it can provide images of fast electrical activity over milliseconds not possible by any other method. Its applications in Neuroscience have been pioneered by a multidisciplinary bioengineering/neurophysiology research group in Medical Physics at University College London, headed by Prof. David Holder, a Neurologist and Biophysicist, and Dr. Kirill Aristovich, a Bioengineer. Fast neural EIT has been successfully developed for imaging action potentials within peripheral nerve, and for imaging evoked activity in the brain, both over milliseconds. It can also image slower changes over seconds, similar to fMRI. The instrumentation currently resembles an EEG system, with benchtop hardware similar to a small-form PC (2). This links to flexible silicone rubber electrode mats placed surgically around nerves or on the brain (1,7). Images are acquired by averaging over a few minutes in response to a repeated stimulus such as a flashing light for the brain or electrical stimulus for nerve. Resulting images have a resolution of 1 msec in time and <0.2 mm in space in peripheral nerves (5) or the brain (3,6). The group has a wide range of skills, in biology and medicine for experimental design and analysis, electronic and mechanical engineering for instrumentation development, maths for image reconstruction, physics for experiments and modelling, and chemical engineering for electrode design. The group has good links with industry. The nerve application is in collaboration with GSK and Google Health, with the intended application of enabled more targeted stimulation in “Electroceuticals”- treatment of many diseases by electrical stimulation of autonomic nerves. Brain applications are in collaboration with companies in Neural Engineering, developing magnetic brain sensors and microelectrodes for recording brain and nerve function, and miniaturising the hardware.
Project work. This project is to develop the technology to provide an external cycle helmet like electrode array, improve sensitivity and coverage of the method, and develop implantable miniature instrumentation. The technology will be progressively tested and refined in saline filled tanks, physiological studies and human subjects. Students are sought with the above backgrounds and will usually work in a team according to their expertise; full training will be given in other relevant disciplines. They will incorporate the above technologies into EIT, adapt methods for image reconstruction and test and refine these in studies in experimental studies and human subjects. The deliverables will be :
- New methods for imaging brain and nerve function, such as a helmet for imaging in acute stroke or tracing the onset zone in epileptic seizures, or an implanted device for treating heart failure by electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve in the neck
- Objective trials in physiological studies or human subjects of their efficacy in imaging activity in brain or nerve
- Objective trials in imaging and treating diseases such as epilepsy or heart failure by targeted electrical stimulation.
Applications are sought from outstanding candidates with a minimum of an upper-second-class Honours degree or an MSc in biology, medicine, engineering, physics, maths, materials science or a related subject. It will suit candidates who like a challenge and to work in a multidisciplinary team. This research is jointly with industry and candidates should be willing to travel or spend time in industry to fulfill the project requirements.
To make an application, please email your CV and a covering letter to: Prof. David Holder explaining your interests, and research experience.
The studentship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a tax free stipend at UK Research Council rates for four years. Closing date September 1st, 2019. Starting date Autumn 2019 or shortly after. Due to funding restrictions, this studentship is open to UK/EU candidates only. To meet UK Research Council requirements, they should have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to appointment. This may be waived for exceptional students.
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-physics-biomedical-engineering/research/research-groups/electrical-impedance-tomography-and-neurophysiology
Prof. David Holder: d.holder@ucl.ac.uk
