Design and implementation of a bipolar current source for MREIT applications

Abstract

In this study, an adjustable bipolar current source topology for magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography (MREIT) applications is designed and implemented. The implemented current source is composed of a microcontroller and digital to analog converter (DAC) based signal generator, sourcing and sinking current mirrors and power electronics converters. By means of the signal generator topology, amplitude and pulse-width of the output current is adjusted and the generated waveform is applied to the load by utilizing current mirrors. The high voltage requirement of the current supply is provided by the power electronic converters. The overall design is easy to built-up and implemented with low-cost components. Although the implemented current supply is designed for MREIT applications, it could also be used in various biomedical applications where an adjustable bipolar current supply is necessary. © Springer International Publishing Swit zerland 2014.