An Optimised 3D Breast Phantom for X-Ray Breast Imaging Techniques

The purpose of this study is to report on the new developments and optimizations of the methodology for generation of 3D breast software phantoms. It is an evolution of a previously presented 3D non compressed breast modeling method used for creation of breast models of different size, shape and composition. The new features include improved methodology for generation of realistic mammographic texture, compression simulation of the modeled breasts and algorithms to speed up the breast phantom production. The enhanced breast phantom has been evaluated in the case of mammography. Synthetic images of non compressed and compressed breast models are created by simulated image acquisition module. Evaluation of the mammographic texture was accomplished by comparison with real texture and physicians involved in the visual assessment process. The results demonstrated that the new methodology for breast models creation results in improved realistic synthetic images. Further on, mammographic images of breast phantoms with abnormalities and their compressed version were produced and assessed visually and quantitatively. The preliminary results showed an improved visibility of the microcalcifications in the images obtained with the compressed breast models. The reported methodology for generation of 3D breasts therefore, could serve as a basic tool in research of novel and advanced x-ray breast imaging techniques like dual energy, contrast-phase and diffraction mammography, Cone Beam CT and Digital Tomosynthesis.