ATTEMPTED IMPROVEMENT IN MAMMOGRAPHY BY INDUCING A PHASE-TRANSITION IN SILICONE GEL

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 tran sition of this type would result in either a reduction in gel volume o r increased radiopenetration. Unfortunately, an electrically induced p hase transition of silicone gel was not seen. In fact, a temporarily a ltered molecular orientation (phase transition) was not even possible under the extremes of voltage confirming the fact that silicone is ext remely inert.