Anatomical Phantom Production via Single Freeze-Thaw Encapsulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing anatomical phantoms with variable density components are limited by the need for multiple freeze-thaw cycles, which restricts the minimum rigidity achievable and results in discontinuous domains, making it difficult to create seamless multi-density structures.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a mold for an anatomical part, where a liquid is frozen and then encased in a hydrogel liquid precursor, both undergoing a freeze-thaw cycle together to produce a hydrogel enveloped thawed frozen liquid with a continuous seam, allowing for the creation of anatomical phantoms with seamless domains of varying densities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If separate variable density domains are assembled together to create anatomical phantoms, then multi-density structures can be achieved, but the process requires multiple freeze-thaw cycles which increases rigidity and creates discontinuities or gaps between domains
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the frozen liquid constituent and hydrogel liquid precursor into a single integrated mold, allowing both materials to undergo one freeze-thaw cycle together. This combining approach eliminates the need for separate assembly of pre-made domains, thereby removing discontinuities and gaps while reducing the total number of freeze-thaw cycles required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the frozen liquid constituent is placed inside the hydrogel liquid precursor within the same mold. This nesting allows the inner frozen constituent to be encapsulated by the outer hydrogel material, creating seamless integrated domains with different densities without requiring separate assembly steps.
2Strength
If rigid materials are used to create anatomical phantoms, then structural integrity is maintained, but the materials must be penetrated or cut to allow backfilling which creates discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the materials by using liquid precursors that are frozen during the manufacturing process. This allows the materials to be easily positioned and integrated while in frozen state, then transformed into their final gel state without requiring penetration or cutting of rigid structures, thereby maintaining both structural integrity and domain continuity.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple freeze-thaw cycles are performed to create variable density domains, then different tissue densities can be achieved, but the minimum rigidity is restricted and the process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary freezing of the liquid constituent before placing it in the final mold with the hydrogel precursor. This preliminary action allows the constituent to be pre-formed with the desired density characteristics, then integrated into the final structure in a single subsequent freeze-thaw cycle, thereby achieving multiple tissue densities without requiring multiple repeated cycles that would increase rigidity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of anatomical phantoms with continuous, seamless domains of different densities, enhancing the realism and detail of the phantom, thereby improving training simulations for medical procedures.
Implementation Method 1
b) freezing the liquid in the constituent mold
Implementation Method 2
e) freezing the hydrogel liquid precursor
Implementation Method 3
f) thawing the frozen liquid and the frozen hydrogel liquid precursor together to produce a hydrogel enveloped thawed frozen liquid having a continuous seam
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a method of producing an anatomical phantom of an anatomical part having components of different density. The method includes providing a mold of an anatomical part, providing a mold having a size and shape corresponding to a first constituent of the anatomical part. A first liquid is place into the constituent mold and frozen which is placed into the larger anatomical mold and supported in a location corresponding to an actual location of the part in an actual anatomical part. The larger mold is then filled with a second liquid, which forms a gel after a freeze/thaw cycle, to encase the frozen first liquid in the second liquid and the temperature is dropped to freeze the second liquid. The combination is then thawed to produce an anatomical phantom of the anatomical part having a continuous seam between the first constituent part and a remainder of the anatomical part represented by the polyvinyl alcohol based gel. The first and second liquids have a composition such that upon undergoing one freeze thaw cycle, products resulting from the freeze thaw cycle have different densities approximating different constituents of the anatomical part with the second product being a gel encapsulating the first product.