Investigation breasts' form and internal structure by wearing a brassiere from MRI images

Abstract

Purpose

The breast is composed of two main types of soft tissues: glandular tissue and adipose tissue. Wearing a brassiere makes them deform easily. In order to design comfortable brassieres by which the body shape is adjusted, it is important to clarify the relationship between the breast deformation and the internal structure of the breast. The purpose of this paper is to assess a method to determine the structure inside the breast. Breast shape comparison was performed to assess the relationship between the external deformation caused by wearing a brassiere and the internal structure of the breast.

Design/methodology/approach

The subjects were five adult females. The breast MRI imaging in the sitting position was carried out using the vertical MRI systems under bare breasts condition and under wearing a brassiere condition. By creating 3D images from the MRI images obtained, the internal structure of the breast was determined. The 3D images under the wearing brassiere conditions were superimposed on the images under the bare breasts condition, and the breast shape comparison was performed to assess the relationship between the external deformation caused by wearing a brassiere and the internal structure of the breast.

Findings

The internal 3D structure of the breast, which had been unmeasurable in the sitting position, could be obtained using the vertical MRI system. Additionally the effect of wearing a brassiere on the breast was assessed in terms of the relation between the external deformation and the internal structure of the breast.

Originality/value

This paper's results can be utilized for human body model in simulation, and to provide fruitful data for the design of comfortable brassieres.

Citation

Inui, M., Murase, K. and Tsutsumi, S. (2012), "Investigation breasts' form and internal structure by wearing a brassiere from MRI images", International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, Vol. 24 No. 2/3, pp. 170-180. https://doi.org/10.1108/09556221211205603