On the Merits of Tetrapolar Impedance Spectroscopy for Monitoring Lithium Concentration Variations in Human Blood Plasma

IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2017 Mar;64(3):601-609. doi: 10.1109/TBME.2016.2570125. Epub 2016 May 17.

Abstract

Bipolar disorder is characterized as a manic-depressive psychiatric syndrome with life-threatening risks to the patient. Diagnosed individuals undergo long-term lithium therapy which has proven to be effective for mood stabilization. Maintaining blood lithium concentration levels within a narrow therapeutic window between 0.6 and 1.5 mM is vital for the patient as slightly elevated concentrations of the order of 0.1 mM can be toxic. This paper aims to evaluate the merits of tetrapolar electrical impedance spectroscopy as an alternative method in monitoring blood lithium levels. Measurements were performed using a custom-made tetrapolar probe in human blood plasma with lithium concentrations covering the therapeutic range. The results indicate a limit of detection less than 0.1 mM and a response time of less than 5 s. Prediction of lithium concentration levels using impedance values is in good agreement with conventional standard techniques to approximately 0.05 mM. This technique provides a basis for further development of instrumentation for point of care healthcare technologies.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Blood Chemical Analysis / instrumentation*
  • Blood Chemical Analysis / methods
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Dielectric Spectroscopy / instrumentation*
  • Dielectric Spectroscopy / methods
  • Drug Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Drug Monitoring / methods
  • Electric Conductivity
  • Electrodes*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Humans
  • Lithium Compounds / blood*
  • Lithium Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Microchemistry / instrumentation*
  • Microchemistry / methods
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Lithium Compounds