Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PHENOMENO (PHYSICAL BREAST ANTHROPOMORPHIC MODELS AND TECHNOLOGY FOR THEIR PRODUCTION)
Reporting period: 2021-05-01 to 2023-04-30
Breast cancer is the most common incident form of cancer among women bellow seventy years of age. Early diagnosis is recognized as a critical factor that improves the chance of survival. In this research, anthropomorphic physical three-dimensional models of the breast are necessary, whenever a real tissue background is required to investigate the detectability of lesions, the performance of image processing algorithms, the reconstruction algorithms, the whole imaging chain, and to replace real breast in virtual clinical studies. Manufacturing of such phantoms, however, is still not widely accepted due to cost and challenges of current 3D technology, limited number of suitable printing materials and availability of anthropomorphic computational models. This project aims to form an international network of organizations working on a joint research programme on the development of a complete technology for the production of physical models of the breast, based on their computational models. The overall goal is to utilize partners’ experience and expertise to improve research, researcher training and skills, and increase knowledge transfer from research to practice. This is achieved through international and intersectoral collaboration and staff exchange. Expected results are related to new methodology for design of anthropomorphic breast phantoms, new methodology for producing materials, and a methodology for development of a prototype of complete equipment and relevant technology for the fabrication of realistic breast phantoms, structures or parts of them including health and cancerous tissues. An application in x-ray imaging is targeted. The consortium has an expertise in rapid prototyping technology, modelling, validation and use of anthropomorphic phantoms, software and hardware design. Joining the efforts of engineers, anatomists, physicists, x-ray imaging specialists in this project guarantees the successful implementation of the project aims.
The PHENOMENO project started officially on 1st May 2021 with the 1st General Assembly and Kick-off Meeting held at Medical University of Varna, Bulgaria. The consortium has worked intensively on achieving the PHENOMENO objectives.
For achieving Objective 1: Development of a methodology for the creation of computational anthropomorphic breast phantoms based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) patient based examinations:
(а) Trainings: Delivered Workshop I ″Anthropomorphic models″.
(b) Implemented secondments for the development of algorithms for Segmentation of MRI breast images.
(e) Collected clinical MRI breast data. Classified five datasets with clinical images with breast cancers, containing 969 patients. Collection of 10 own clinical MRI breast sets, scanned at the Medical University Hospital of Varna, Bulgaria. Developed protocol for MRI scanning.
(g) MRI breast computational phantoms with and without breast lesions. Created database with 100 cases, each one containing: (a) original MRI breast images; (b) segmented images without breast lesion images; and (c) segmented images with breast lesion.
(h) Mathematical algorithm for generation of 3D breast model lesions. C++ software application for generation of lesion models. Generated 10 computational breast models with mathematical lesions.
(i) Optimised breast compression algorithm validated in respect to the initial one, available in C++ code. Compression algorithm runs under MPI. First code of compression algorithm developed under CUDA.
For achieving Objective 2: Development of a methodology and fabrication of new materials for 3D printing:
(a) Trainings: Workshop III: ″3D Printing technologies″ to be delivered on 13 July 2023.
(b) Characterisation of new FDM materials.
(c) Characterisation of printing solutions for inkjet printing.
(d) CT characterization of produced materials for 3D printing.
(e) Modelled and simulated materials for 3D printing. Developed a software module for modelling the materials. 12 materials for 3D printing are modelled.
For achieving Objective 3: Collaborative design and development of novel methodology and a prototype of 3D printing technology with attention to breast anthropomorphic phantoms for x-ray imaging:
(a) Simulation of 3D printing process. Developed algorithm for simulating the 3D printing process.
(b) Developed novel approach for printing 3D breast phantoms. Printed one anthropomorphic breast phantoms, based on segmented MRI.
For achieving Objective 4: Validation of new materials and anthropomorphic phantoms produced with the new 3D printing technology:
(a) Trainings: Delivered Workshop II: ″Monte Carlo simulations in medicine″.
(b) Validation of segmented breast tissues. 14 segmented breast lesions from MRI breast images by the radiologist from MUV.
(c) Developed algorithms for subjective and objective clinical validation of computational anthropomorphic phantoms from MRI.
Eight new proposals have been submitted for funding with the participation of consortium members. Amongst them is an ERC grant and a grant from the NextGenerationEU call.
For achieving Objective 1: Development of a methodology for the creation of computational anthropomorphic breast phantoms based on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) patient based examinations:
(а) Trainings: Delivered Workshop I ″Anthropomorphic models″.
(b) Implemented secondments for the development of algorithms for Segmentation of MRI breast images.
(e) Collected clinical MRI breast data. Classified five datasets with clinical images with breast cancers, containing 969 patients. Collection of 10 own clinical MRI breast sets, scanned at the Medical University Hospital of Varna, Bulgaria. Developed protocol for MRI scanning.
(g) MRI breast computational phantoms with and without breast lesions. Created database with 100 cases, each one containing: (a) original MRI breast images; (b) segmented images without breast lesion images; and (c) segmented images with breast lesion.
(h) Mathematical algorithm for generation of 3D breast model lesions. C++ software application for generation of lesion models. Generated 10 computational breast models with mathematical lesions.
(i) Optimised breast compression algorithm validated in respect to the initial one, available in C++ code. Compression algorithm runs under MPI. First code of compression algorithm developed under CUDA.
For achieving Objective 2: Development of a methodology and fabrication of new materials for 3D printing:
(a) Trainings: Workshop III: ″3D Printing technologies″ to be delivered on 13 July 2023.
(b) Characterisation of new FDM materials.
(c) Characterisation of printing solutions for inkjet printing.
(d) CT characterization of produced materials for 3D printing.
(e) Modelled and simulated materials for 3D printing. Developed a software module for modelling the materials. 12 materials for 3D printing are modelled.
For achieving Objective 3: Collaborative design and development of novel methodology and a prototype of 3D printing technology with attention to breast anthropomorphic phantoms for x-ray imaging:
(a) Simulation of 3D printing process. Developed algorithm for simulating the 3D printing process.
(b) Developed novel approach for printing 3D breast phantoms. Printed one anthropomorphic breast phantoms, based on segmented MRI.
For achieving Objective 4: Validation of new materials and anthropomorphic phantoms produced with the new 3D printing technology:
(a) Trainings: Delivered Workshop II: ″Monte Carlo simulations in medicine″.
(b) Validation of segmented breast tissues. 14 segmented breast lesions from MRI breast images by the radiologist from MUV.
(c) Developed algorithms for subjective and objective clinical validation of computational anthropomorphic phantoms from MRI.
Eight new proposals have been submitted for funding with the participation of consortium members. Amongst them is an ERC grant and a grant from the NextGenerationEU call.
Novel approach in segmenting all breast tissues from an MRI breast images is developed. A novel approach in evaluating subjectively the segmentation of breast tissues is developed and under implementation. 3D printing of anthropomorphic breast phantom based on MRI images is realized, following a novel printing approach. The method for anthropomorphic breast phantoms is validated at a clinical Computed Tomography system. Novel materials to be used in 3D printing are manufactured and evaluated clinically and at microCT facilities. The breast compression algorithm is optimized for MPI and for the first time implemented under CUDA.
During the first reporting period, there have been implemented a total of 23 secondments with an average duration of 2.6 months, which results in total of 59.5 secondment months. This way of planning and work implementation in a team results in learning new soft skills, which are of benefit for the researchers and their career development. New skills and a lot of knowledge such as, involvement in 3D printing and manufacturing, computational techniques, dealing with physics and MPI and CUDA, writing and revising articles, working in an international team, presentation at conferences, performing clinical work at hospital environment and on prototype systems, are acquired during the first project period. Developed skills have resulted in new investments, new developments, funded projects and improvements at partners. Both, computational and physical anthropomorphic phantoms are already in use in clinical practice. For instance, anthropomorphic phantoms have been used during the last 8 months in the framework of MSc topics to (a) provide quality control of radiography machine, (b) to study dual-energy imaging with a conventional radiography machine; (c) to develop a phantom for quality control of a mammography machine; (d) to develop and use of anthropomorphic phantom in practical exercises of x-ray technician students. New laboratories are equipped and dedicated to x-ray imaging research. The consortium strongly believes that contributes to the development of future breast imaging techniques.
During the first reporting period, there have been implemented a total of 23 secondments with an average duration of 2.6 months, which results in total of 59.5 secondment months. This way of planning and work implementation in a team results in learning new soft skills, which are of benefit for the researchers and their career development. New skills and a lot of knowledge such as, involvement in 3D printing and manufacturing, computational techniques, dealing with physics and MPI and CUDA, writing and revising articles, working in an international team, presentation at conferences, performing clinical work at hospital environment and on prototype systems, are acquired during the first project period. Developed skills have resulted in new investments, new developments, funded projects and improvements at partners. Both, computational and physical anthropomorphic phantoms are already in use in clinical practice. For instance, anthropomorphic phantoms have been used during the last 8 months in the framework of MSc topics to (a) provide quality control of radiography machine, (b) to study dual-energy imaging with a conventional radiography machine; (c) to develop a phantom for quality control of a mammography machine; (d) to develop and use of anthropomorphic phantom in practical exercises of x-ray technician students. New laboratories are equipped and dedicated to x-ray imaging research. The consortium strongly believes that contributes to the development of future breast imaging techniques.