Special Ultrasound Phantom for Interventional Training: Construction, Advantages, and Application

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Simulation
• Radiology Training

Background:

• Interventional radiology procedures are increasingly complex, necessitating advanced training methods.
• Training on live patients poses significant safety and ethical concerns.
• Ultrasound-guided simulators are a popular alternative for medical training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a novel, low-cost, homemade phantom material for interventional radiology simulation.
• To demonstrate the advantages of this new phantom over conventional gelatin-based models.
• To detail a new layering technique and target synthesis for biopsy phantom creation.

Main Methods:

• Construction of a simple, homemade phantom using readily available materials.
• Development of a novel layering technique for phantom assembly.
• Synthesis of target materials with controlled echogenicity.
• Implementation of strategies to minimize needle pass artifacts.

Main Results:

• The homemade phantom material offers several advantages compared to standard gelatin phantoms.
• The described layering technique and target synthesis facilitate realistic biopsy simulation.
• Effective methods were identified for reducing needle pass artifacts.
• Controllable echogenicity of the phantom mixture was achieved.

Conclusions:

• A cost-effective and versatile phantom can be created using simple, homemade materials.
• This approach provides a valuable alternative for ultrasound-guided interventional radiology training.
• The developed phantom enhances the realism and safety of simulation-based medical education.