Advancements of a Breast Tissue Marker and Localization System

Author

Azrin JamisonFollow

Date of Award

5-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Engineering (MSE)

Department

Bioengineering

Committee Chair/Advisor

Dr. Delphine Dean

Committee Member

Dr. Jordon Gilmore

Committee Member

Dr. Alexey Vertegel

Abstract

Breast cancer has become the most prominent cancer worldwide in women. Annual mammograms are encouraged for women of high risk to increase early detection allowing for lumpectomies rather than mastectomies to occur. Prior to a lumpectomy, a biopsy must be taken to determine if the tissue is cancerous, and a breast cancer biopsy marker (BBM) is left in the region of possible cancerous tissue. Wire localization has been the gold standard for localizing these BBMs. However, due to the reported patient discomfort and logistical inefficiencies faced by healthcare providers (HCP), non-wire localization solutions have been recently developed. This study aims to build upon the development, fabrication, and assessment of a novel BBM and localization system first introduced by Scott Slaney in 2019 that allows for perioperative imaging without the use of wire localization. The first portion of this study focused on optimizing the novel MMB to a feasible size to be deployed during a breast cancer core biopsy and fit within a 2.5 cm incision site. A four-week degradation and proximity study was conducted in vitro to evaluate the performance of the magnetic and degradable properties of the novel BBM. The second element of this study further optimized the localization system described by Scott Slaney in 2019. COMSOL Multiphysics was used to evaluate different combinations of design parameters so that a sensitive and accurate system could be achieved to detect our novel BBM. Alternative localization methods were explored for the novel BBM using ultrasound imaging. The novel BBM was embedded in gel tissue phantoms, and ultrasound was used to successfully locate the novel BBM in this study. The results of this study have shown that the nonpermanent BBM has met the design constraints of our clinical collaborators at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). The novel BBM and localization system has shown that it can effectively eliminate the need for preoperative imaging and wire localization.

Acknowledgements: Clemson University Research Foundation for funding. Dr. Nancy DeMore (MUSC) for clinical insight. Dr. Lucas Schmidt, Dr. Tyler Harvey, Dr. Medford, Travis Pruitt, Dr. Jeryl Jones, Woodruff Scientific for technical support. Dr. Alexey Vertegel, Dr. Jordon Gilmore, & Dr. Delphine Dean – Advisory Committee.

Recommended Citation

Jamison, Azrin, "Advancements of a Breast Tissue Marker and Localization System" (2024). All Theses. 4243.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_theses/4243