Physical breast model as a simulator of pathological changes

Abstract

It’s well known that there is a relationship between skin temperature and many pathological changes. Local increase of temperature on a skin surface can represent symptoms of such diseases as: bacteria or viral infections, viral diseases as well as it might indicate an occurrence of a tumor. For verification and validation medical devices and products based on the registration of local temperature changes, a simplified physical breast model was designed and constructed. Therefore, the physical breast model can work with medical devices equipped with thermometer, infrared camera, contact thermography device or thermo-optic indicators. In this study we present a simulation of breast cancer for a need of contact thermography (Braster) and simulation of inflammation for needs of thermo-optic indicator (thermochromic pigment).