Phantom design for tracked ultrasound-based surgical navigation systems

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Navigation

Background:

• Radical tumor removal is critical for pediatric oncology patients.
• Tracked ultrasound surgical navigation shows promise for improving tumor removal rates.
• Preclinical validation requires specialized anatomical phantoms with specific acoustic and contrast properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a method for creating cost-effective anatomical phantoms for evaluating tracked ultrasound-based surgical navigation systems.
• To create phantoms with material properties comparable to human tissue for accurate ultrasound imaging.
• To incorporate anatomical structures with both ultrasound and Computed Tomography (CT) contrast.

Main Methods:

• A gelatin-vinegar matrix was utilized for its suitable speed of sound, durability, and stability.
• Tumor simulants were created using polyvinyl alcohol, glass microspheres, and barium sulfate for dual contrast properties.
• Speed of sound was verified using ultrasound and CT depth measurements.

Main Results:

• The developed phantoms exhibit a speed of sound approximating human tissue, enabling effective tracked ultrasound.
• Phantoms are durable, stable, and possess both ultrasound and CT contrast.
• The fabrication process is straightforward, utilizing readily available materials, with a low cost per phantom (<$50).

Conclusions:

• This study provides a reproducible protocol for creating essential anatomical phantoms for surgical navigation system development.
• These phantoms facilitate the preclinical validation of tracked ultrasound systems, particularly for pediatric tumor surgery.
• The developed method addresses the scarcity of suitable phantoms, promoting advancements in surgical navigation technology.