Female Breast Model Research Articles

Influence of Marker Number and Position on Accuracy of Breast Measurement With Three-Dimensional Camera.

The VECTRA H1 three-dimensional (3D) imaging system (Canfield Scientific, Parsippany, NJ) enables easy 3D image construction and measurement. Although the number and positions of markers on the skin for image synthesis might affect accuracy of measurements, few studies have mentioned the possibility. This study investigated the accuracy and reproducibility of distance measurements using VECTRA H1, focusing on the number and positions of markers. A total of 3, 5, or 7 markers were attached to a female breast model including lateral markers 6 cm from the midline and photographed with VECTRA. Five markers were configured in more two ways, with the lateral markers either positioned 3 cm outside the midline (narrow interval) or 9 cm outside the midline (wide interval). 3D models were created three times under each condition, for a total of 15 models. Differences (measurement error) between measured values on 3D models and actual measured values were verified for six distances, such as distance between the nipples. The average difference was 11.1 mm with 3 markers (95% confidence interval (CI), 4.38-17.7 mm, p = 0.0028). In comparison, average difference was -0.395 mm (-0.866 to 0.0763 mm, p = 0.095) with 5 markers, and 0.139 mm (-0186 to 0.465 mm, p = 0.379) with 7 markers, all less than 1 mm. Average difference with narrow interval 5 markers was larger than one with wide interval. In 3D imaging of the breast using VECTRA H1, distance measurements offering clinically satisfactory accuracy can be made by setting appropriate marker conditions. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Localización de emuladores de carcinomas en modelos experimentales de mama mediante tomografía de impedancia eléctrica basada en linear back projection

Introducción: La medición y caracterización de la impedancia eléctrica de los tejidos biológicos permite distinguir entre tejidos sanos y patológicos. El uso de técnicas como la tomografía de impedancia eléctrica es muy utilizada en pruebas clínicas a través de diversas aplicaciones. En este trabajo se emplea el método Linear Back Proyection (LBP) para reconstruir imágenes a partir de la medición de impedancia eléctrica con el objetivo de localizar emuladores de carcinoma insertados en modelos de agar-agar con forma de mama femenina.Método: Un arreglo anillar de ocho electrodos fue empleado para realizar mediciones de impedancia en siete modelos de agar-agar con forma de mama femenina. Se diseñó y simuló en el software COMSOL un corte transversal de una mama femenina sana (sin emuladores) que representa el plano de medición del arreglo anillar de electrodos. Se calcularon los mapas de sensibilidad de cada par de electrodos a lo largo de la medición de impedancia utilizando los datos de la distribución de conductividad del modelo simulado. Finalmente, la reconstrucción de la imagen de tomografía eléctrica para cada modelo se obtuvo aplicando el algoritmo LBP a los valores de impedancia eléctrica medidos en el arreglo anillar de electrodos.Resultados: Se calcularon los mapas de sensibilidad a partir de las mediciones de impedancia obtenidas de cada modelo experimental considerado. Como resultado se generó una matriz de sensibilidad que caracteriza la distribución de los potenciales eléctricos dentro del plano de medición simulado en COMSOL. La zona de localización obtenida fue correcta para todos los modelos experimentales con emuladores de carcinomas insertados fuera del centro del arreglo anillar de electrodos.Discusión o Conclusión: De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos del proyecto descrito, la metodología propuesta permite la generación de imágenes para localizar emuladores de carcinoma con diámetros aproximados de 1 cm, ello a través de un enfoque no iterativo. Por lo anterior, la localización no requiere una alta complejidad computacional. La localización de un emulador de carcinoma insertado en la zona central del modelo de mama femenina no se obtuvo correctamente debido a la baja sensibilidad de la configuración anillar de los electrodos en dicha zona.

Biofield potential simulation as a novel adjunt modality for continuous monitoring of breast lesions: a 3D numerical model

Breast cancer is a disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. Early detection of this disease is the most effective way to reduce mortality. Although several new technologies show promise for improved capability of diagnosis, none have yet proved superior to traditional, X-ray film mammography in screening for breast cancer. More evaluation and development of new imaging tools and of promising skin surface electrical potential techniques is required and warranted. In the present study, we propose a theoretical three-dimensional, simplified and realistic model of the female breast to distinguish the surface biopotential in different types of breast abnormalities. We developed an inhomogeneous female breast model, closer to the actual, by considering the breast as a hemisphere with various layers of unequal thickness in supine condition. In order to determine the potential distribution developed, isotropic homogeneous conductivity was assigned to each of these compartments and the volume conductor problem was solved using finite element method. Richardson extrapolation for grid invariance test was used to ensure the results are of reliable accuracy. The simulation results show that the surface potentials are sensitive to the presence of tumour, location and placement of the electrodes.

An approach to predicting bra cup dart quantity in the 3D virtual environment

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to explore a method of predicting the amount of personalized bra cup dart in the 3D virtual environment for supporting the made‐to‐measure research of the optimum fitted brassiere pattern design.Design/methodology/approachVery useful enhanced FFD (free‐form‐deformation) techniques used in both computer animation and geometric modeling were skillfully transplanted to the female breast model deformation. Meanwhile, on the basis of 3D scan and surface modeling technologies, the realization approach of the abstract female breast model library focusing on the individual variations of shapes and sizes was presented. Then according to the principle of isometric area and flabellate segments, the personalized bra cup dart quantity and its distributive information were provided by 3D‐2D transformation.FindingsThe paper finds that personalized female breast shapes and various aesthetic breast forms sculpted by different bras could be interactively simulated. Accordingly, the amount of corresponding individual bra cup dart and its distributive information were provided. The cup darts were mainly distributed below the bust line. Moreover, dart shapes were curvy.Research limitations/implicationsThe principles of virtual breast library construction and 3D‐2D transformation are also suitable for other parts of the human body such as buttocks, abdomen and, etc. for intimate apparel research.Originality/valueThe method of predicting the personalized bra cup dart quantity based on the 3D virtual breast model library was delivered for the first time. The novel findings provided an important guideline for designers to improve the well‐fitted bra pattern design technique. Furthermore, it would reduce the manufacturing cost without keeping physical dummies.

Numerical modelling of biopotential field for detection of breast tumour

Breast cancer is a disease characterised by the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. These cancer cells can travel through the body by way of blood or lymph nodes. Previous studies have indicated that, changes in the electrical properties of abnormal breast are more significant compared to the breast normal tissues. In the present study, a simple 2D models of breast (close to realistic), with and without artificially inserted malignant cancer were simulated, based upon electrical activity within the breast. We developed an inhomogeneous female breast model, closer to the actual, by considering a breast as a hemisphere with various layers of unequal thickness in supine condition. In order to determine the potential distribution developed due to a dipole source, isotropic homogeneous conductivity was assigned to each of these compartments and the volume conductor problem was solved using finite element method. Significant changes in the potential distribution were recoded in the malignant and normal breast regions. The surface potential decreases about 0.5%, for the small malignant region of surface area 13 mm 2 (spherical diameter = 2 mm ). And it (surface potential) decreases about 16.4% for large malignant surface area of 615 mm 2 (spherical diameter = 14 mm ). Hence, the results show that, the sizes of tumours result in the reduction of surface potential and follows a fourth order polynomial equation. Thus, biofield analysis yields promising results in the detection of the breast cancer of various sizes.

Parametric study of the biopotential equation for breast tumour identification using ANOVA and Taguchi method

Extensive literatures have shown significant trend of progressive electrical changes according to the proliferative characteristics of breast epithelial cells. Physiologists also further postulated that malignant transformation resulted from sustained depolarization and a failure of the cell to repolarize after cell division, making the area where cancer develops relatively depolarized when compared to their non-dividing or resting counterparts. In this paper, we present a new approach, the Biofield Diagnostic System (BDS), which might have the potential to augment the process of diagnosing breast cancer. This technique was based on the efficacy of analysing skin surface electrical potentials for the differential diagnosis of breast abnormalities. We developed a female breast model, which was close to the actual, by considering the breast as a hemisphere in supine condition with various layers of unequal thickness. Isotropic homogeneous conductivity was assigned to each of these compartments and the volume conductor problem was solved using finite element method to determine the potential distribution developed due to a dipole source. Furthermore, four important parameters were identified and analysis of variance (ANOVA, Yates' method) was performed using design (n = number of parameters, 4). The effect and importance of these parameters were analysed. The Taguchi method was further used to optimise the parameters in order to ensure that the signal from the tumour is maximum as compared to the noise from other factors. The Taguchi method used proved that probes' source strength, tumour size and location of tumours have great effect on the surface potential field. For best results on the breast surface, while having the biggest possible tumour size, low amplitudes of current should be applied nearest to the breast surface.

Excitation patterns in three-dimensional electrical impedance tomography

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a non-invasive technique that aims to reconstruct images of internal electrical properties of a domain, based on electrical measurements on the periphery. Improvements in instrumentation and numerical modeling have led to three-dimensional (3D) imaging. The availability of 3D modeling and imaging raises the question of identifying the best possible excitation patterns that will yield to data, which can be used to produce the best image reconstruction of internal properties. In this work, we describe our 3D finite element model of EIT. Through singular value decomposition as well as examples of reconstructed images, we show that for a homogenous female breast model with four layers of electrodes, a driving pattern where each excitation plane is a sinusoidal pattern out-of-phase with its neighboring plane produces better qualitative images. However, in terms of quantitative imaging an excitation pattern where all electrode layers are in phase produces better results.

Surface Temperature Distribution of a Breast With and Without Tumour

Breast cancer is a common and dreadful disease in women. Regular screening helps in its early detection. At present the most common methods of screening are by self examination and mammography. The surface temperature distribution of the breast can also provide some information on the presence of tumour. This distribution has a relation to the size and location of tumour and can be seen using thermography, where the infrared radiation emitted from the surface of the breast is recorded and a thermal pattern obtained. Thermography is a non-invasive and an inexpensive tool which could be used for early detection. In order to simulate the surface temperature distribution, a two-dimensional model of female breast with and without a carcinoma is considered. The breast is modelled with varying layer thickness close to the actual shape and numerically solved using finite element analysis. Temperature profiles are obtained for a normal breast and for a malignant one by varying the tumour size, location and the blood flow rates. The results show that the surface temperature for a malignant breast is higher than that of a normal one. In addition the size and location of the tumour do have an effect on the surface temperature distribution. It can also be seen that tumour of different sizes placed at the same location would yield the same maximum temperature depending on the blood perfusion rate.