Short Subjects: PDF OnlyAttempted Improvement in Mammography by Inducing a Phase Transition in Silicone GelGruber, Alicia D.*; Matthews, Steve PhD†; Gruber, Ronald P. MD‡ Author Information *From Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA †Lawrence Livermore Laboratories, Livermore, Oakland, CA ‡Stanford University, Oakland, CA Annals of Plastic Surgery 31(3):p 283-285, September 1993. Buy Abstract An attempt was made to achieve a temporary alteration of the molecular structure (a “phase transition”) of silicone gel, the end result of which would be to improve mammography. It was hoped that a phase transition of this type would result in either a reduction in gel volume or increased radiopenetration. Unfortunately, an electrically induced phase transition of silicone gel was not seen. In fact, a temporarily altered molecular orientation (phase transition) was not even possible under the extremes of voltage confirming the fact that silicone is extremely inert. © Williams & Wilkins 1993. All Rights Reserved.
