Anthropomorphic breast phantoms with physiological water, lipid, and hemoglobin content for near-infrared spectral tomography

Abstract

Abstract. Breast mimicking tissue optical phantoms with sufficient structural integrity to be deployed as standalone imaging targets are developed and successfully constructed with biologically relevant concentrations of water, lipid, and blood. The results show excellent material homogeneity and reproducibility with inter-and intraphantom variability of 3.5 and 3.8%, respectively, for water and lipid concentrations ranging from 15 to 85%. The phantoms were long-lasting and exhibited water and lipid fractions that were consistent to within 5% of their original content when measured 2 weeks after creation. A breast-shaped three-compartment model of adipose, fibroglandular, and malignant tissues was created with water content ranging from 30% for the adipose simulant to 80% for the tumor. Mean measured water content ranged from 30% in simulated adipose to 73% in simulated tumor with the higher water localized to the tumor-like material. This novel heterogeneous phantom design is composed of physiologically relevant concentrations of the major optical absorbers in the breast in the near-infrared wavelengths that should significantly improve imaging system characterization and optimization because the materials have stand-alone structural integrity and can be readily molded into the sizes and shapes of tissues commensurate with clinical breast imaging.

Design and implementation of three-dimensional ring-scanning equipment for optimized measurements of near-infrared diffuse optical breast imaging

“…This 3-D ring-scanning equipment remains being calibrated, and it is anticipated that anthropomorphic breast phantoms with physiological content 28 and clinical trials will be reported in the future. First, the image reconstruction for various synthesized scanning situations justified the proposed 3-D NIR ring-scanning equipment through (1) comparing with fixed-channel equipments and (2) sliced image reconstruction for the 3-D task.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Design and Development of Human Breast Phantoms for Ultra-Wide Band Breast Cancer Imaging Systems

“…This is a very important scenario to determine the presence of tumors. The phantoms developed in [49] were long-lasting and demonstrated water and lipid fractions that were consistent to within 5% of their original content measured 2 weeks after their formation. A breast-shaped three-layered model of adipose, fibroglandular, and malignant tissues was created with water content ranging from 30% for the adipose simulant to 80% for the tumor.…”

“…An antenna array was used, in which one of the antenna was transmitting through a 3D breast model and other were receiving the backscattered pulse. The dielectric properties used in [49] for breast phantoms are given in Table 15. The cross-section of FDTD 3D hemisphere breast model is shown in Figs.…”

“…Michaelsen, Kelly E., et al [49] focused on the design and development of anthropomorphic breast phantoms with physiological water, lipid, and hemoglobin content for near-infrared spectral tomography. Phantom measurements have certainly been an important part of the development of near-infrared (NIR) spectral tomography (NIRST).…”

“…The same should be taken into account to develop a realistic phantom. Design and development of a breast phantom, as used in the researches in [35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50], includes the following common methodology: a) Selection of materials and making their mixture to imitate a real breast. b) Measurements of the dielectric properties (of the mixture obtained in step a), i.e.…”