Development and evaluation of an electrical impedance tomography (EIT) sensor for real-time monitoring of hemolysis dynamics.

Background: Real-time monitoring of hemolysis dynamics is essential for clinical diagnosis, ensuring transfusion safety, and supporting medical device development. Traditional methods such as spectrophotometry have limitations in real-time monitoring capabilities, often posing higher operational costs and restricted temporal resolution.

Results: This study presents an Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) sensor designed for real-time monitoring of hemolysis dynamics. The EIT sensor comprises 16 circular electrodes within a cylindrical test chamber, connected to computer-controlled hardware and software for comprehensive data acquisition and analysis. Experimental validation shows that the EIT sensor can effectively monitor and visually display the dynamic process of hemolysis, irrespective of its underlying cause. Results from EIT measurements align closely with those obtained by the conventional spectrophotometric method. Furthermore, the EIT sensor accurately detects and monitors hemolysis in real-time, even when hemolysis is induced by ultrasound, chemical reagents, or a copper-simulated blood-contacting material with a super glue surface coating, within just 20 min of contact with blood.

Significance: This EIT sensor represents a novel approach to hemolysis monitoring, providing valuable insights into hemolytic mechanisms, especially those related to biomaterials application. With its high temporal resolution, low cost, non-invasiveness, and portability, the EIT sensor offers a promising alternative tool for detecting and characterizing hemolysis, with potential applications in fundamental research and clinical practice, such as blood sample collection and long-term preservation.