Method for making a target ring-like puncture phantom with ultrasound and ct dual modality imaging

Abstract

The application discloses a method for manufacturing a target ring-shaped puncture phantom for ultrasound and CT dual-mode imaging, which comprises the following steps: (1) selecting common raw materials and equipment on the market; (2) melting agar powder, high-purity lead powder and potassium sorbate to prepare agar mixed solutions M1 and M2 with different concentrations and lead contents; (3) alternately pouring the agar mixed solution M1 and the agar mixed solution M2 in a self-made 3D spherical casting mold printing mold to finally place a metal ball in the center of the sphere and manufacture a target ring-shaped agar ball; (4) using the agar mixed solution M2 to simulate a pipeline structure in a plastic hose casting mold; (5) pouring the entire puncture phantom in a plastic container by using the agar mixed solution M1; (6) sampling and quality inspecting the same batch of products by using ultrasound and CT; and (7) soaking the puncture phantom in potassium sorbate pure water, sealing the puncture phantom by using plastic sealing material or plastic wrap, covering the puncture phantom by using a plastic container cover and then placing the puncture phantom in a refrigerator for cold storage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the technical field of medical simulation training equipment, and in particular to a method for fabricating a target ring-shaped puncture phantom that can be visualized by ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging. Background Technology

[0002] The global cancer burden has been rising steadily over the past decade, and image-guided interventional procedures have become an important means of minimally invasive local tumor treatment in the era of "precision medicine." Ultrasound, due to its real-time guidance, continuous monitoring, safety, convenience, low cost, and lack of radiation, has become the preferred image-guided modality for most interventional procedures. However, its application is limited by gas and bone obstructions. CT or MRI are not subject to these interferences and have high spatial resolution, but their non-real-time nature poses many safety risks. For example, repeated needle adjustments may increase the risk of complications, and repeated CT scans increase the risk of radiation exposure for patients. MRI, due to its scanning characteristics, has high time and material costs. Therefore, the application of multimodal image fusion imaging technology and navigation technology fully utilizes the temporal resolution of ultrasound and the spatial resolution of tomographic images to accurately guide interventional procedures. However, regardless of whether the guidance mode is based on single-modal or multimodal imaging, image-guided puncture requires physicians to have a high level of three-dimensional spatial visualization ability of anatomical structures and puncture instruments, thus exhibiting strong experience dependence and a long learning curve.

[0003] To improve the accuracy and safety of puncture procedures, training is an essential component. Traditional puncture training methods typically involve patient or animal models, but this approach has several drawbacks, such as high cost, ethical constraints, and poor reproducibility. To address these issues and bridge the gap between medical theory and clinical practice among young doctors and medical students, puncture training phantoms have become widely used. These phantoms usually mimic the morphology and / or tissue characteristics of the human body, providing a more realistic and safer training environment while reducing experimental costs and risks. However, traditional blind puncture training phantoms often lack imaging guidance and feedback, resulting in insufficient feedback and evaluation of puncture accuracy and techniques, hindering effective improvement of puncture skills. Therefore, there is a need for a puncture training phantom that can be well visualized in both real-time ultrasound and tomographic images, enabling puncture training under single-modal or multi-modal imaging guidance, and providing timely feedback and evaluation of puncture accuracy, puncture methods, and other indicators through image imaging, so as to effectively improve the image-guided puncture skills of young doctors. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies, the technical problem to be solved by this invention is to provide a method for fabricating a target ring-like puncture phantom that can be visualized by both ultrasound and CT imaging. This method can train young doctors in puncture operation skills under real-time ultrasound guidance, CT positioning guidance, or dual-modal image fusion imaging guidance. At the same time, the phantom is made of inexpensive materials and has a simple fabrication method. It can clearly visualize the target and simulated duct structure in ultrasound and CT images, and can be used for repeated puncture training to a certain extent. It also has a certain storage time.

[0005] The technical solution of this invention is: a method for fabricating a target-ring-like puncture phantom based on dual-modal ultrasound and CT imaging, comprising the following steps:

[0006] (1) Use agar powder, high-purity lead powder and potassium sorbate to prepare agar mixtures M1 and M2 with different concentration ratios and whether they contain lead or not;

[0007] (2) Use a 3D spherical casting mold to alternately pour agar mixture M1 and agar mixture M2, and finally place a metal ball in the center of the ball to make a target ring-shaped agar ball;

[0008] (3) Agar mixture M2 was used to simulate the pipe structure in a plastic hose casting;

[0009] (4) The entire puncture body mold was poured into a plastic container using agar mixture M1;

[0010] (5) Ultrasound and CT scans are used to conduct quality inspections on samples of the same batch of products;

[0011] (6) Soak the model in potassium sorbate purified water, seal it with plastic wrap or plastic container, and then put it in the refrigerator.

[0012] This invention uses agar powder, high-purity lead powder, and potassium sorbate to prepare agar mixtures M1 and M2 with different concentrations and lead content. A self-made 3D spherical casting mold is used to alternately pour agar mixtures M1 and M2, and finally, a small metal sphere is placed at the center to create a target-shaped agar sphere. Agar mixture M2 is used to cast a simulated pipe structure in a plastic tube. The entire puncture phantom is then poured using agar mixture M1 in a plastic container. Ultrasound and CT scans are used to sample and inspect the same batch of products. The phantom is then soaked in potassium sorbate-purified water, sealed with plastic wrap or cling film, and refrigerated. Therefore, this invention can train young doctors in puncture techniques under real-time ultrasound guidance, CT positioning guidance, or dual-modal image fusion imaging guidance. Simultaneously, the phantom requires inexpensive materials and simple manufacturing methods, clearly visualizes the target and simulated pipe structure in ultrasound and CT images, allows for repeated puncture training to a certain extent, and has a certain storage time. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the method for fabricating a target-ring-like puncture phantom based on ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 A 3D sphere casting mold with an inner diameter of 20 mm is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a training phantom using dual-modal ultrasound and CT imaging is shown. A: Base layer, containing small spheres that are 6-7 mm in diameter polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymers after water absorption; B: Target layer, with the arrow indicating the metal core of a target-shaped agar sphere; C: Channel layer: containing simulated channel-like structures. Detailed Implementation

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, this method for creating a target-ring-like puncture phantom based on dual-modal ultrasound and CT imaging includes the following steps:

[0017] (1) Use agar powder, high-purity lead powder and potassium sorbate to prepare agar mixtures M1 and M2 with different concentration ratios and whether they contain lead or not;

[0018] (2) Use a 3D spherical casting mold to alternately pour agar mixture M1 and agar mixture M2, and finally place a metal ball in the center of the ball to make a target ring-shaped agar ball;

[0019] (3) Agar mixture M2 was used to simulate the pipe structure in a plastic hose casting;

[0020] (4) The entire puncture body mold was poured into a plastic container using agar mixture M1;

[0021] (5) Ultrasound and CT scans are used to conduct quality inspections on samples of the same batch of products;

[0022] (6) Soak the model in potassium sorbate purified water, seal it with plastic wrap or plastic container, and then put it in the refrigerator.

[0023] This invention uses agar powder, high-purity lead powder, and potassium sorbate to prepare agar mixtures M1 and M2 with different concentrations and lead content. A self-made 3D spherical casting mold is used to alternately pour agar mixtures M1 and M2, and finally, a small metal sphere is placed at the center to create a target-shaped agar sphere. Agar mixture M2 is used to cast a simulated pipe structure in a plastic tube. The entire puncture phantom is then poured using agar mixture M1 in a plastic container. Ultrasound and CT scans are used to sample and inspect the same batch of products. The phantom is then soaked in potassium sorbate-purified water, sealed with plastic wrap or cling film, and refrigerated. Therefore, this invention can train young doctors in puncture techniques under real-time ultrasound guidance, CT positioning guidance, or dual-modal image fusion imaging guidance. Simultaneously, the phantom requires inexpensive materials and simple manufacturing methods, clearly visualizes the target and simulated pipe structure in ultrasound and CT images, allows for repeated puncture training to a certain extent, and has a certain storage time.

[0024] Preferably, the agar powder is C14H24O9, CAS: 9002-18-0, the high-purity lead powder is research grade, 99.9% pure, 300 mesh, the metal spheres are 1mm in diameter, the polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer has a diameter of 6-7mm after absorbing water, the plastic tubing has an inner diameter of 5mm, the plastic container has a volume of 1500ml, and there are several syringes of 5ml, 10ml, 20ml, and 50ml. The 3D sphere casting printing molds have inner diameters of 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, and 20mm.

[0025] Preferably, in step (1), 3-6% agar powder and 0.1% potassium sorbate are used to prepare agar mixture M1.

[0026] Preferably, in step (1), 3-6% agar powder, 2-4% high-purity lead powder, and 0.1% potassium sorbate are boiled to prepare agar mixture M2. This step requires continuous stirring with a stirrer during heating and temperature control.

[0027] Preferably, step (2) includes the following sub-steps:

[0028] (2.1) Inject the agar mixture M1 into a 5mm 3D sphere casting mold, and remove it from the hard core of the base after it solidifies in the air;

[0029] (2.2) Align the pipe of the 5mm agar ball hard core casting mold with the hard core of the 10mm 3D ball casting printing mold base, inject agar mixture M2 into the mold, and remove it from the hard core of the base after solidification and cooling with plastic wrap.

[0030] (2.3) Align the pipe of the 10mm agar ball hard core casting mold with the hard core of the 15mm 3D ball casting printing mold base, inject the agar mixture M1 into the mold, and remove it from the hard core of the base after it solidifies in the air.

[0031] (2.4) Align the pipe of the 15mm agar ball hard core casting mold with the hard core of the 20mm 3D ball casting printing mold base, inject agar mixture M2 into the mold, and remove it from the hard core of the base after solidification and cooling with plastic wrap.

[0032] (2.5) Use a syringe needle to insert the metal ball into the core of the 20mm agar ball hard core mold, fill the mold with pure water, and seal the inlet of the mold mold with a small amount of agar mixture M2.

[0033] Preferably, in step (3), a base layer containing polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer is first cast, a target layer containing target ring agar beads is cast, a pipe layer containing simulated pipe structure is cast, and finally, the pipe is cooled and assembled into a puncture training phantom that can be visualized by ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging.

[0034] Preferably, step (3) includes the following sub-steps:

[0035] (3.1) Add an appropriate amount of purified water to the polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer and let it absorb water to a diameter of 6-7 mm;

[0036] (3.2) Lay 2-3 layers of polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer on the bottom of the plastic container;

[0037] (3.3) Pour an appropriate amount of agar mixture M1 into a plastic container to at least cover the bottom polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer layer, and build the base layer after it cools down slightly.

[0038] (3.4) Place an appropriate amount of target ring agar balls on the surface of the base layer according to the requirements and spatial relationship. Pour an appropriate amount of agar mixture M1 into a plastic container to at least cover the target ring agar balls. Wait for it to cool slightly to form a target layer.

[0039] (3.5) Above the target layer, arrange a simulated pipe structure according to the puncture requirements (such as for use as a pipe structure puncture practice or as an obstacle for target ring agar ball puncture practice) and the position of the target ring agar ball. Pour in an appropriate amount of agar mixture M1 and let it cool to form a pipe layer.

[0040] (3.6) After the whole body is placed and cooled, the puncture training phantom with ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging is assembled.

[0041] The following describes a specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] S1. Select commonly available raw materials and equipment: Prepare two different specifications of agar powder, high-purity lead powder, potassium sorbate, metal spheres, polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer, plastic tubing, plastic containers, several syringes, several beakers, and a self-made 3D sphere casting and printing mold (such as...). Figure 2 (As shown), heater, stirrer;

[0043] S2. Prepare two agar mixtures with different concentrations and whether they contain lead by using agar powder of different specifications, high-purity lead powder, and potassium sorbate.

[0044] S3. Fabrication of target-shaped agar balls: Using a 3D spherical casting mold, target-shaped agar balls are cast layer by layer with inner diameters of 5mm, 10mm, 15mm and 20mm using a mixture of lead-free and lead-containing agar solutions. Finally, a metal ball is placed into the target center and the shell is sealed.

[0045] S4. Fabrication of the simulated pipe structure: Using a plastic hose, a lead-agar mixture is used to cast a simulated pipe structure.

[0046] S5. Assembly of a puncture training phantom based on ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging (e.g., Figure 3 As shown): Using a lead-free agar mixture, a base layer containing a polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer, a target layer containing target annular spheres, and a pipe layer containing a pipe-like structure are poured from bottom to top in a plastic container.

[0047] S6. Quality inspection of the puncture training phantom with ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging: observe the target ring sphere, metal core, and tubular structure inside the phantom using ultrasound sonograms and CT images; visually inspect for cracks.

[0048] S7. Storage of puncture training phantoms visualized by ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging: soaked in potassium sorbate solution, sealed in plastic containers, and refrigerated.

[0049] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows:

[0050] (1) The present invention has a simple manufacturing process, uses readily available raw materials, has low manufacturing cost, has a certain storage time, can be reused to a certain extent, and the raw materials have no other toxic side effects and do not damage imaging equipment.

[0051] (2) This invention can be used for ultrasound-guided puncture: the ultrasound image can display the target ring and center of the target agar ball, as well as simulated pipeline obstacles. When avoiding obstacles, the center of the target agar ball can be punctured. The puncture accuracy evaluation is diversified. It can evaluate the distance between the puncture needle tip and the center of the ball. Secondly, it can score the puncture by the puncture needle tip landing on the target ring of the target agar ball and clarify the spatial position of the needle tip deviation. Thirdly, it can observe whether the puncture needle has caused damage to the simulated pipeline and evaluate whether the puncture path will cause damage to other structures and cause complications. Due to the high rigidity of the agar phantom, the cutting damage of the puncture needle to the agar phantom can be evaluated after the puncture, which can more directly guide the selection of the next puncture path and puncture angle.

[0052] (3) The present invention can be used for CT-guided puncture: CT images can display the target ring agar ball and its center, or simulated pipeline obstacles. The center of the agar ball can be punctured by CT positioning guidance; the distance between the puncture needle tip and the center of the ball can be evaluated, the number of needle adjustments can be evaluated, the number of CT scans can be evaluated to calculate the radiation exposure, and whether the puncture needle causes damage to the simulated pipeline can be observed.

[0053] (4) The present invention can perform imaging in both ultrasound and CT dual-modal imaging, and can be used for puncture training under multimodal fusion imaging, and evaluate indicators such as puncture accuracy and puncture method, observe the degree of damage to the simulated pipeline structure, and the cutting damage of the agar phantom, etc.

[0054] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any simple modifications, equivalent changes, and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention shall still fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for making a target ring-like puncture phantom for ultrasound and CT dual modality imaging, characterized in that: It comprises the following steps: (1) Using agar powder, high-purity lead powder, potassium sorbate to boil different concentration ratios, lead-containing and non-lead-containing agar mixed solution M1, M2; (2) Use 3D spherical casting printing mold to alternately pour agar mixed solution M1 and agar mixed solution M2, and finally place a metal ball in the center of the sphere to make a target ring-shaped agar ball; (3) First, use agar mixed solution M1 to pour the base layer containing polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer, secondly, pour the target layer containing the target ring-shaped agar ball, and finally pour the pipeline layer containing the simulated pipeline structure, and finally cool to assemble the puncture phantom for ultrasound and CT dual-mode image development; (4) In a plastic container, use agar mixed solution M1 to pour the entire puncture phantom; (5) Ultrasonic and CT examination is carried out on the same batch of puncture phantoms for sampling quality inspection; (6) In a plastic container, use potassium sorbate pure water to soak the puncture phantom, use plastic sealing material or plastic wrap to seal, use plastic container cover to cover, and then put it in the refrigerator for cold storage; The step (2) comprises the following steps: (2.1) Pour agar mixed solution M1 into a 3D spherical casting printing mold with an inner diameter of 5mm, and take it off from the hard core of the base after condensation in the air; (2.2) Align and place the pipeline of the 5mm inner diameter agar ball hard core casting in the hard core of the 10mm inner diameter 3D spherical casting printing mold, pour agar mixed solution M2 into the mold, and take it off from the hard core of the base after solidification, and wrap it with plastic wrap and cool it; (2.3) Align and place the pipeline of the 10mm inner diameter agar ball hard core casting in the hard core of the base of the 15mm inner diameter 3D spherical casting printing mold, pour agar mixed solution M1 into the mold, and take it off from the hard core of the base after condensation in the air; (2.4) Align and place the pipeline of the 15mm inner diameter agar ball hard core casting in the hard core of the base of the 20mm 3D spherical casting printing mold, pour agar mixed solution M2 into the mold, and take it off from the hard core of the base after solidification, and wrap it with plastic wrap and cool it; (2.5) Use a syringe needle to send a metal ball along the pipeline of the 20mm inner diameter agar ball hard core casting into the center of the sphere, fill the pipeline with pure water, and close the casting pipeline inlet with a small amount of agar mixed solution M2.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ultrasound and CT dual modality visualized target ring-like puncture phantom is characterized in that: The high-purity lead powder has a purity of 99.9% and a specification of 300 mesh, the metal ball has a diameter of 1mm, the polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer has a diameter of 6-7mm after absorbing water, the plastic hose has an inner diameter of 5mm, the plastic container has a volume of 1500ml, and the syringe has a volume of 5ml, 10ml, 20ml and 50ml.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the ultrasound and CT dual modality visualized target ring-like puncture phantom is characterized in that: In the step (1), 3-6% agar powder and 0.1% potassium sorbate are used to prepare agar mixed solution M1.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the ultrasound and CT dual modality visualized target ring-like puncture phantom is characterized in that: In the step (1), 3-6% agar powder, 2-4% high-purity lead powder and 0.1% potassium sorbate are used to prepare agar mixed solution M2, and the stirrer is continuously stirred during heating and constant temperature.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the ultrasound and CT dual modality visualized target ring-like puncture phantom is characterized in that: The step (3) comprises the following steps: (3.1) Add an appropriate amount of pure water to the polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer to make it absorb water to a diameter of 6-7mm; (3.2) Lay 2-3 layers of polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer on the bottom of the plastic container; (3.3) Pour the agar mixed solution M1 into the plastic container to cover the polyacrylate-polyacrylamide copolymer layer on the bottom, and then build the base layer after slight cooling; (3.4) Place the target annular agar small ball according to the demand and spatial position relationship on the surface of the base layer, pour the agar mixed solution M1 into the plastic container to cover the target annular agar small ball, and then build the target layer after slight cooling; (3.5) Above the target layer, arrange the simulated pipeline structure according to the puncture demand and the position of the target annular agar small ball, pour the agar mixed solution M1, and then place it to cool and build the pipeline layer; (3.6) After the whole is placed to cool, the puncture phantom for ultrasound and CT dual-mode imaging development is assembled.

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