Model for the dielectric properties of human lung tissue against frequency and air content.

Electrical impedance tomographic spectroscopy measurements of the lungs are taken from nine normal subjects, in the frequency range 9.6 kHz-1.2 MHz. The results show that resistivity rho'FRC relative to functional residual capacity increases almost linearly with inspiration volume V, with the slope of the curve increasing with frequency f. Resistivity rho'9.6 kHz relative to 9.6 kHz decreases with f. rho'9.6 kHz increases with V, at any given frequency. Curves for rho'9.6 kHz show a roughly linear trend with log10(f). Based on a discussion of the measurement results, a mathematical lung tissue model is designed that involves extra-capillary blood vessels and alveoli, the walls of which consist of blood-filled capillaries, epithelial cells and intercellular liquid. Using this model, the increase in rho'FRC with V is explained by the thinning of alveolar walls with increasing air content. The almost linear shape of curves for rho'9.6 kHz is attributed to four partly overlapping main dispersions caused by extra-capillary blood vessels, epithelial cells, blood and the capillary network.