Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2025
Intravascular Ultrasound Image-Based Finite Element Modeling Approach for Quantifying In Vivo Mechanical Properties of Human Coronary Artery
Published on: December 6, 2024
Measuring the Compression Force Required for Vascular Shortening in Ultrasonic Vascular Models
1Clinical Skill Up Center, Shimane University Hospital, Shimane, JPN.
Insights
Ultrasound vessel models require significantly higher compression force than human veins for 50% diameter reduction. Accurate deep vein thrombosis screening models need to replicate vein compressibility.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
- Vascular Ultrasound
Background:
- Vascular compression assessment is crucial for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) screening.
- Quantitative pressure analysis of ultrasound vessel models is lacking.
- Current models may not accurately represent venous biomechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the compressive force required for 50% diameter reduction in a human popliteal vein and various ultrasound vascular models.
- To provide objective numerical data on the compressibility of ultrasound phantoms.
- To inform the development of more realistic vascular ultrasound training models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a pressure-sensitive device to measure compressive force.
- Compared four commercially available ultrasound vascular models and one human popliteal vein.
- Standardized compression to achieve a 50% reduction in vessel diameter.
Main Results:
- Human popliteal vein required 191 ± 65 g of force for 50% compression.
- Ultrasound models required significantly higher forces: Blue Phantom (701 ± 8 g), CV Pad II (265 ± 12 g), Training Block (697 ± 20 g), UGP-GEL (745 ± 15 g).
- The ultrasound training block and UGP-GEL required 2.6 times more force than the CV Pad II, despite similar gel materials.
Conclusions:
- Objective compressive force values are necessary for evaluating ultrasound vascular models.
- Existing models do not accurately replicate the compressibility of human veins.
- Modifications like removing vascular structures or using thinner tubing are needed for realistic vein compressibility simulation.
Abstract:
Background Vascular compression is important for deep vein thrombosis screening. However, pressure analysis of ultrasound vessel models has not been performed. Therefore, we compared the human popliteal vein and several ultrasound vessel models at 50% compression. Methodology Four major ultrasound vascular models used in Japan and the popliteal vein of one subject constituted our measurement targets. Using a pressure-sensitive measuring device, the compressive force required to shorten the vessel diameter by 50% was determined. Results The compression force that shortened the popliteal vein by 50% was measured to be 191 ± 65 g. The blue phantom, ultrasound CV Pad II, ultrasound training block, and UGP-GEL required compression force of 701 ± 8 g, 265 ± 12 g, 697 ± 20 g, and 745 ± 15 g, respectively. The compression force for the ultrasound training block was 2.6 times higher than that for the ultrasound CV Pad II. The gel material around the vessels was the same; however, different vascular tubes required 2.6 times higher compression force. Conclusions This study showed that the objective numerical values of the compressive force were required to compress an ultrasound vascular model. Reproduction of the compressibility of veins required either removing the vascular structure or using thin tubing material.
