Mechanical characterization of a breast phantom

Abstract

A Breast Phantom is an appropriate way to study early detection of breast cancer because the Phantom let to model and perform experiments of mechanical and optical properties of the breast that are ethically impossible to do in a woman. In this paper, we report the mechanical characterization of a breast Phantom. The Phantom preparation was a water based solution and glycerine mixed with phenol and pectin. At the elaboration process, the mix proportions were modified seeking varied textures, colors, and form which simulated mechanics and optics properties a mammary tissue. Stress and deformation measurement were done to perform mechanic characterization. The elasticity module of refined and unrefined pectin Phantom was compared with breast fibrous and glandular tissues achieving values in the same range.