Abstract:
A volumetric mass-spring system, originally developed for myocardial mechanics modeling [1], is used to simulate the elasto-mechanical deformation of several breast datasets from prone to supine positions. Segmented MRI datasets of pa- tients in prone position, available from the online repository provided by Susan C. Hagness at the University of Wisconsin- Madison [2] were used in the biomechanical simulations. These models were considered to be consisting of two materi- als, fat and fibroconnective/glandular tissues. Each tissue is represented as a nearly incompressible Neo-Hookean elastic isotropic material. Each simulation was conducted in two steps: in the first step, the unloaded model is generated by apply- ing gravity forces to the original model pointing toward the body. The unloaded model is then used in the second step, by applying gravity forces. Eventually, the breast model in supine position is obtained.