Comparison of human uterine cervical electrical impedance measurements derived using two tetrapolar probes of different sizes

Abstract

Abstract Background We sought to compare uterine cervical electrical impedance spectroscopy measurements employing two probes of different sizes, and to employ a finite element model to predict and compare the fraction of electrical current derived from subepithelial stromal tissue. Methods Cervical impedance was measured in 12 subjects during early pregnancy using 2 different sizes of the probes on each subject. Results Mean cervical resistivity was significantly higher (5.4 vs. 2.8 Ωm; p in vivo followed the pattern predicted by the finite element model. Conclusion Inter-electrode distance on the probes for measuring cervical impedance influences the tissue resistivity values obtained. Determining the appropriate probe size is necessary when conducting clinical studies of resistivity of the cervix and other human tissues.