Radiolucent pressure sensors

Sammanfattning: In a mammography examination, an x-ray image is taken of the patient’s breast. The examination can be painful due to the fact that the breast has to be properly compressed to attain good image quality. To reduce discomfort for the patient it has been suggested to measure pressure distribution over the entire breast. This thesis investigates design and manufacturing of a radiolucent pressure sensor and its possibility to be used in mammography applications. The fabrication of the sensor, included a conducting polymer PEDT which was used to create a matrix system of sensors. This was the conducting layer that together with dielectric materials created a capacitive pressure sensor. Durability and calibration tests were also performed to determine application possibilities of the sensor. The results showed that the manufactured pressure sensor was radiolucent. Thus, this invention could be implemented in a mammography machine without negatively affecting its screening process. Further research is needed to ensure that the sensor would act expectedly in a real breast compression test.