A constrained modulus reconstruction technique for breast cancer assessment.
A reconstruction technique for breast tissue elasticity modulus is described. This technique assumes that the geometry of normal and suspicious tissues is available from a contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance image. Furthermore, it is assumed that the modulus is constant throughout each tissue volume. The technique, which uses quasi-static strain data, is iterative where each iteration involves modulus updating followed by stress calculation. Breast mechanical stimulation is assumed to be done by two compressional rigid plates. As a result, stress is calculated using the finite element method based on the well-controlled boundary conditions of the compression plates. Using the calculated stress and the measured strain, modulus updating is done element-by-element based on Hooke's law. Breast tissue modulus reconstruction using simulated data and phantom modulus reconstruction using experimental data indicate that the technique is robust.
Samani
A
A
Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, ON, Canada. asamani@sten.sunnybrook.utoronto.ca
Bishop
J
J
Plewes
D B
DB
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging