Mechanical model of the breast for the prediction of deformation during imaging.

To predict changes in the shape of the breast in different imaging devices, a Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) mechanical model is developed. The CEL method allows for a more adequate representation of the very large deformations experienced by the soft and incompressible tissues of the breast. The mechanical response of the tissues is based on advanced mathematical formulations and experimental data from the literature. Realistic geometries generated from Magnetic Resonance (MR) images are used as study cases. Furthermore, specific boundary conditions are applied to the model to predict the shape of the breast and the location of the internal tissues in a prototype microwave breast imaging system, where an immersion medium is used. The accuracy of the model was assessed by comparing the numerical results with a laser scan of the same subject in the microwave breast imaging system.