Bioimpedance measurement in the lower urinary tract: numerical calculation of the potential and current distribution

Four different two-dimensional finite element models of the lower urinary tract to examine potential and current distribution during impedance measurements have been developed. Bioconductor volume models have been designed by a simplified cross-sectional geometry of typical measurement points. In all models the radial symmetry has been assumed, and anisotropy and nonhomogeneity have been considered. Isopotential contours for typical measurement points showed important changes in their distribution as well as in shape and intensity of the current field. Proposed mathematical models evaluations have been accomplished by comparing the numerical calculations of the resistance between electrodes with results of impedance measurements in vitro.