Evaluation of a resectable ultrasound liver phantom for testing of surgical navigation systems

A formerly developed ultrasound liver phantom for testing of surgical navigation systems and liver resection trainings was evaluated experimentally. The phantom was scanned with CT and the dataset was analyzed with existing segmentation techniques. A virtual 3D model was generated on the basis of the segmentation; it was later used for phantom registration in a surgical assistance navigation system. Within an experiment, ten test persons have tried to touch three tumor models hidden in the phantom with the tip of a resection instrument. In 67% of overall 30 touch trials it was a successful touch at the first go. It means that the developed liver phantom is appropriate for testing of surgical navigation systems, as well as for computer assisted liver resection trainings.