title: New tetrapolar method for complex bioimpedance measurement: theoretical analysis and circuit realization.
abstract: This paper describes the theory and practical implementation of a new tetrapolar (four-electrode) method for measuring complex bioimpedance of local tissue. The new tetrapolar method adopts three independent voltages Vin+,Vin-,VR respectively from the two voltage electrodes and the sample resistor R, which is connected in serial with one of the two current electrodes. Theoretical analysis shows that the real part Zreal and imaginary part Zimag of the complex impedance between two voltage electrodes can be acquired from the modular ratios (Vin/Vr), (Vin-/Vr) and phase differences (thetaIN+-thetaR), (thetaIN-thetaR) through simple calculation. Realization of this method, based on the newest generation of highly integrated electronic components for directly generating relevant amplitude ratios and phase differences, is simple. Compared with the conventional tetrapolar method, the new tetrapolar method shows its advantage of simplicity in circuit realization, enables complete microprocessor control of localized bioimpedance measurements, and may liberate the traditional bioimpedance measuring system from the complexity of electronics.
authors.affiliation: Student Member, IEEE, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China. yuxiangyang@mail.xjtu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Yuxiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jue
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang