Abstract
Breast phantoms (in a compressed and uncompressed state) suitable for x-ray and optical imaging were produced. These phantoms contained four inserts representing tumours and two markers with high x-ray and optical properties. The x-ray contrast for the inserts was achieved by adding talc to the normal breast tissue phantom material. Talc was used as it increased the linear attenuation coefficient of the material without changing its optical properties. The compressed breast phantom was imaged under typical mammogram conditions and using diffuse optical tomography. The optical images were produced with optodes (optical fibres that can be both a source and detector) above and below the phantom and with all the optodes on one side. The results showed that using optodes above and below the phantom produced better images. The x-ray and optical images were combined to evaluate whether this would improve the images. Based on the results of this study, a mammogram system which uses optical imaging as well as standard x-ray mammography has been designed with moveable optical interfaces that can fit into the compression plates.