Using a silicone model of a breast and embedding objects representing lumps, scientists have successfully tested an electronic skin that can accurately "feel" and image lumps much smaller than those detectable by manual exams.
'Electronic skin' could improve early breast cancer detection
For detecting cancer, manual breast exams seem low-tech compared to other methods such as MRI. But scientists are now developing an "electronic skin" that "feels" and images small lumps that fingers can miss. Knowing the size and shape of a lump could allow for earlier identification of breast cancer, which could save lives. They describe their device, which they've tested on a breast model made of silicone, in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.