Creating A Low-Cost Calibration Phantom for Diagnostic Ultrasound
Abstract
The main objective of this experiment is to create a low-cost calibration phantom for diagnostic ultrasound (US) machine using gelatin, agar, nylon filaments and lead filaments. Four custom-made calibration phantoms were produced using cost effective materials to produce a combination of gelatin and nylon, gelatin and lead, agar and nylon and agar and lead. Each of these phantoms contains the filaments designed specifically to produce reading for calibration parameters. The parameters include the measurements of the horizontal distance measurement (HDM), vertical distance measurement (VDM) and axial-lateral resolution (ALR) of the different phantoms were performed by three observers who are qualified to do the tests. For the image criteria section, the visibility, echogenicity and reverberation were investigated. Lastly, the observers also need to choose their preferred low-cost calibration phantom among the four phantoms; gelation-nylon, gelatin-lead, agar-nylon and agar-lead. The results for parameter measurements produces no significant difference between the phantoms and each parameter (p<0.001). Results for image criteria proves to give statistically significant difference between the phantoms and the echogenicity (p=0.005) while for the reverberation appearance, data proves to give statistically no significant difference between the phantoms and the reverberation (p=0.029). All four low cost phantoms were able to give measurements and provide good image criteria for US QA assessment data collection and is comparable to the commercial 84-317 Multipurpose tissue equivalent phantom. After analyzing the data in terms of parameters of HDM, VDM and ALR, we can conclude that phantom D which is agar and lead produces more reliable results while for image criteria, phantom B which is the gelatin and lead combination is the most preferred phantom. Therefore, this experimental study has successfully produced a preliminary evidence in creating a low-cost calibration phantom for diagnostic ultrasound machine as declared in the main objective.
References
Browne, J. (2003). Assessment of the Acoustic Properties of Common Tissue-mimicking Test Phantoms, 0–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0301-5629(03)00053-X
Browne, J. (2017). Broadband Acoustic Measurement of the Agar- based Tissue Mimicking Material : a Longitudinal Study, 43(7), 1494–1505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2017.02.019
Chaloner, P., Section, X., Radiation, C., Division, H., Bureau, R. P., Directorate, E. H., … Canada, H. (n.d.). Diagnostic X-Ray Imaging Quality Assurance : An Overview, 1–22.
Com, W. W. W. C. (n.d.). Multi-Purpose, Multi-Tissue Ultrasound Phantom.
Cournane, S., Fagan, A., & Browne, J. (2012). Review of Ultrasound Elastography Quality Control and Training Test Phantoms Review of Ultrasound Elastography Quality Control. https://doi.org/10.1258/ult.2012.012e01
Culjat, M. A. O. C., Goldenberg, D. A. G., Tewari, P. R. T., & Singh, R. A. S. S. (2010). A review of tissue substitutes for ultrasound imaging m, 36(6), 861–873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2010.02.012
Dietrich, E. C. F. (n.d.). EFSUMB – European Course Book, 1–23.
Dudley, N., Russell, S., Ward, B., Hoskins, P., Qa, B., & Party, W. (n.d.). Special Feature BMUS guidelines for the regular quality assurance testing of ultrasound scanners by sonographers. https://doi.org/10.1177/1742271X13511805
Exhibit, E., Kraus, A., Farooq, A., & Buschmann, E. (2009). Foreign bodies : Their appearance on X-ray , ultrasound , CT and MRI.
Goodsitt, M. M., Carson, P. L., & Hykes, D. L. (n.d.). Real-time B -mode ultrasound quality control test procedures a … Report of AAPM Ultrasound Task Group No . 1.
Kofler, J. M. (n.d.). Quality Assurance of Ultrasound Imagers : Procedures , Expectations , and Philosophies.
Madsen-AAPM-391-1978.pdf. (n.d.).
Mannila, V., & Sipila, O. (2013). Phantom-based quality assurance measurements in B-mode ultrasound, 2(8), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1177/2047981613511967
Mihi, M. S., Me, T., Prli, I., & Suri, D. (2008). Importance of Quality Assurance Program Implementation in Conventional Diagnostic Radiology, 32, 181–184.
Onwuchekwa R.C. (2016). [Radiological anatomy of the liver]. Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 7(4), 072–078. Retrieved from http://www.interesjournals.org/jmms/july-2016-vol-7-issue-4/radiological-anatomy-of-the-liver
Surgery, O., & Edition, N. U. S. (2019). Pencil injury can lead to ocular graphite foreign body, (Figure 2), 7–10.
UniversalMedicalInc.com. (n.d.). Universal Medical. Retrieved from Universal Medical: https://www.universalmedicalinc.com/multi-purpose-multi-tissue-ultrasound-phantom.html
Wayne R Hedrick, David L Hykes & Dale E Starchman. (2005). Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentations. United States of America: Elsevier Mosby.
Zagzebski, J. A., Ph, D., Lu, Z. F., & Ph, D. (2017). Assurance Information on US QA Annual Surveys , Routine QA ( ACR ) Physical and Mechanical Inspection , ACR Image Display ( Scanner and PACS ) Monitor agreement Routine QA : Transducers, 1–8.
