Detection of tumours using a computational tactile sensing approach

BACKGROUND: A new method is presented for determining the existence of an embedded object in biological tissue. METHODS: We propose a method for modelling tissue containing a simulated tumour. Indications of the existence of a tumour that appear on the surface of the tissue were also determined. FEM provided properties such as the shape, size, depth and location of tumour. RESULTS: A number of different cases were created and solved by the software and tactile images and stress graphs were extracted. These results clearly showed the existence of the tumour in the tissue. Maximum stresses were used to create tactile maps. Simulation results demonstrated good agreements with other studies. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional analysis leads to a novel method of predicting the characteristics of a tumour and can be directly applied to the incorporation of tactile sensing in artificial palpation, helping surgeons in non-invasive procedures.