Molecular and Structural Analysis of Viscoelastic Properties

Elasticity imaging is emerging as an important tool for breast cancer detection and monitoring of treatment. Viscoelastic contrast in lesions is generated by disease specific processes that modify the molecular structure of connective tissues. We showed previously that gelatin hydrogels exhibit mechanical behavior similar to native collagen found in breast tissue and therefore are suitable as phantoms for elasticity imaging. This paper summarizes our studies of the viscoelastic properties of hydro-polymers to discover the molecular sources of elasticity image contrast.