MRI-Derived 3-D-Printed Breast Phantom for Microwave Breast Imaging Validation

Abstract

We propose a 3-D-printed breast phantom for use in preclinical experimental microwave imaging studies. The phantom is derived from an MRI of a human subject; thus, it is anthropomorphic, and its interior is very similar to an actual distribution of fibroglandular tissues. Adipose tissue in the breast is represented by the solid plastic (printed) regions of the phantom, while fibroglandular tissue is represented by liquid-filled voids in the plastic. The liquid is chosen to provide a biologically relevant dielectric contrast with the printed plastic. Such a phantom enables validation of microwave imaging techniques. We describe the procedure for generating the 3-D-printed breast phantom and present the measured dielectric properties of the 3-D-printed plastic over the frequency range 0.5–3.5 GHz. We also provide an example of a suitable liquid for filling the fibroglandular voids in the plastic.

Experimental phantom for contrast enhanced microwave breast cancer detection based on 3D-printing technology

“…However plastic is to rigid to match the mechanical properties and heterogeneity can only be achieved in combination with other TMMs. The plastic model was characterized over the frequency range of 500 MHz to 3.50 GHz and displayed a effective conductivity and a dielectric constant lower than the values recorded by Lazebnik et al [3], [16].…”

“…In 2012, Burfeindt et al [16] used MRI-derived data to build a phantom that featured several cavities, representing glandular structures among adipose tissue. Those excavations were filled with a mixture of deionized water and Triton X100 surfactant to gain an appropriate dielectric contrast between the fatty tissue-mimicking plastic and fibroid-glandular tissue [16]. Since MRI images from a real patient were the basis of the computer model, the resulting breast phantom was anatomical very accurate, especially in perspective of the inner structures.…”

Anthropomorphic Phantoms - Potential for More Studies and Training in Radiology

“…3D printer generated thorax phantom based on CT images, with a tumor for radiation dosimetry. It was also developed with plastic and filled with tissue substitute materials [46].…”

“…Therefore it is only possible to build anatomical phantoms for structural images, non-functional, which does not reveal physiological activities on the tissue or organ [46][47][48]. With the limited choices of available plastics to use on 3D printers, it could be employed Hounsfield Units to select the closest material as an equivalent tissue one [47].…”

The Time-Harmonic Discontinuous Galerkin Method as a Robust Forward Solver for Microwave Imaging Applications

“…The model, a realistic MRI-derived numerical phantom from the University of WisconsinMadison UWCEM Numerical Breast Phantom Repository [31,32], has been converted to an FEM model shown in Fig. 9.…”