3D printed acoustically transparent pressure sensor for breast cancer detection

This bachelor thesis investigates if acoustically transparent pressure sensors can be produced using 3D printing. The sensor is designed in SOLIDWORKS and then 3D printed using Ultimaker S5. The material used is Layfomm-40. The sensor needs to be acoustically transparent in order for ultrasound to pass through. The behaviour of the bottom surface of the sensor is modeled usingMacaulay’s method for deflection of beams. A Finite Element Analysis in Ansys is made in order to validate the mathematical model. Based on the simulation results it is not feasible to model the bottomsurface of the sensor usingMacaulay’s method. Moreover, testing for acoustic transparency is done on the structure. This shows that the material has potential when it comes to acoustic transparency.