Detecting Sub-Surface Inclusions Within a Tissue-Mimicking Phantom Using Surface Waves

Early detection of tumours is crucial for improving cancer treatment outcomes. This paper presents a low-cost preliminary tumour detection based on the analysis of the surface vibration response of tissue-mimicking phantoms using micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometers. A high-stiffness inclusion is placed inside the homogenous phantom to replicate the tumour inside soft tissues. A point load harmonic excitation is applied on the surface of the phantom using an electrodynamic exciter, the response of which is measured by a MEMS accelerometer. Surface waves are propagated through the phantom's surface from the excitation point. A series of MEMS accelerometers attached to the phantom's surface mea-sure the vibration response due to the propagation of the waves. Subsequently, the response is analysed for a non-homogeneous phantom with the inclusion. This phantom's frequency response is compared with that of a homogenous phantom. A change in frequency response was seen in the amplitude and phase at the measurement locations due to the presence of the inclusion, which can be utilised to detect the inclusion. This experiment can be performed on soft tissues to detect tumours. The work can be further extended to predict the location, size and stiffness of the tumour in soft tissues, especially for detecting breast tumours.