Fabrication and evaluation of breast tissue equivalent phantoms for image quality assessment in ultrasound imaging

• Published in: Radiography (London, England. 1995) England. 1995), 2024-12, Vol.31 (1), p.254-263
• Main Authors: Hariyanto, A.P., Mugni, F.F., Khumaira, L., Sensusiati, A.D., Nursela, A.L., Suprijanto, Ng, K.H., Haryanto, F., Endarko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acoustic properties; Elasticity; Phantom; Tissue equivalent; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 1078-8174; 1532-2831; 1532-2831
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2024.11.023

Phantom materials with tissue-equivalent physical properties that require regular evaluation using patented phantoms are essential for medical device quality assurance programs. This study evaluated phantom materials for tissue equivalence and their use in image quality assessment for breast ultrasound scanner performance testing using two custom-made phantoms. Two types of phantoms were developed: phantoms A and B. Phantom A was made from a base material consisting of polyvinyl chloride-plastisol with the addition of glycerol, whereas phantom B consisted of polyvinyl chloride-plastisol with the addition of graphite. Each phantom had a stiff and soft lesion shaped like a sphere, with a diameter of 1.4 cm. The phantoms were cuboids with dimensions of 10 × 10 cm2 and a thickness of 5 cm. A series of phantom evaluations was performed, consisting of density, elasticity, acoustic properties, B-mode ultrasound images, and strain ratio. The characterisation results show that background A closely resembles fibroglandular tissue in terms of density and acoustic properties (