Low-cost phantoms for validating measurements in ultrasound medical images

H. L. MANTEROLA; L. LO VERCIO; A. DIAZ; P. A. PARDINI; M. V. WAKS SERRA; M. DEL FRESNO; I. LARRABIDE

Simposio; SIPAIM; 2016

Ultrasound is widely used as an inexpensive, real-time method for imaging vascular tissue. However, sonographsoften lack automatic or semi-automatic software for measuring vascular diameter precisely, especially in low- andmid-income countries or institutions. Tools can be developed to perform this task, but they must be validatedbefore being accepted for clinic use. For that purpose, in this work we present low-cost phantoms that resemblevascular tissue when subjected to ultrasound. Several materials are analysed and a step-by-step recipe for buildinga simple phantom is presented. Qualitatively, models were imaged by an ultrasound expert physician, and severalcharacteristic are assessed. Quantitatively, a comparison between ultrasound and caliper measurements of thephantoms is presented. Finally, a discussion about the results and the recommended materials for low-costvascular phantoms is carried out.