SAP Lesion Phantom Material for Faster Ultrasound Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging phantoms for quality control and calibration are costly, time-consuming, and lack flexibility in design and construction, particularly for assessing spatial resolution and tuning imaging presets specific to individual patients.
Innovation Solution
The use of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) granules crosslinked with hydrogen-containing liquids to create contrast targets with predetermined acoustic and imaging properties, which are then embedded in a background material to form flexible and cost-effective phantoms suitable for various imaging modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spherical lesion phantoms are used for ultrasound quality control, then spatial resolution assessment is enabled, but manufacturing cost and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from conventional milk-agar mixtures to hydrogel compositions with specific water content (80-95% by weight) and crosslinking density. This parameter change enables the phantom to achieve the required acoustic properties for spatial resolution assessment while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and time, as hydrogels can be prepared and cured more efficiently than traditional agar-based phantoms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining hydrogel matrix with embedded scatterers (such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide particles) and contrast agents. This composite approach allows the phantom to simultaneously achieve tissue-mimicking acoustic properties, controlled scattering characteristics, and enhanced contrast visibility, all while maintaining simplified manufacturing processes compared to conventional multi-component phantoms.
2Measurement precision
If conventional spherical lesion phantoms are used for ultrasound quality control, then spatial resolution assessment is enabled, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters from conventional milk-agar mixtures to hydrogel compositions with specific water content (80-95% by weight) and crosslinking density. This parameter change enables the phantom to achieve the required acoustic properties for spatial resolution assessment while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and time, as hydrogels can be prepared and cured more efficiently than traditional agar-based phantoms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts a disposable phantom design where the hydrogel matrix is formulated to provide sufficient durability for single-use quality control applications. This approach eliminates the need for expensive, reusable conventional phantoms that require meticulous maintenance, cleaning, and storage, thereby reducing overall manufacturing and operational costs despite the shorter service life of individual phantom units.
3Measurement precision
If conventional lesion phantoms with spherical targets arranged in a plane are used, then spatial resolution can be assessed, but precise alignment of the scan plane with the plane of lesion centers is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional two-dimensional planar arrangements of spherical targets to a three-dimensional distribution of scatterers and lesions within the hydrogel matrix. This dimensional change allows the ultrasound scanner to assess spatial resolution without requiring precise alignment with a specific plane, as the scattered echoes from targets at various depths and positions provide comprehensive resolution information across multiple dimensions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous hydrogel matrix structure that contains uniformly distributed scatterers throughout its volume. This porous, three-dimensional architecture enables ultrasound waves to interact with multiple targets at different depths and positions, eliminating the need for precise planar alignment while maintaining accurate spatial resolution assessment capabilities.
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
The SAP-based phantoms provide accurate and versatile tools for ultrasound and other imaging modalities, enabling precise calibration and quality control with improved spatial resolution and flexibility in phantom design, reducing manufacturing costs and time.
Implementation Method 1
The granule of SAP material has absorbed and formed crosslinks with a hydrogen-containing liquid to form an expanded SAP particle
Implementation Method 2
Low scatter spherical lesion phantoms are useful tools for assessing detailed spatial resolution of ultrasound scanners
Data Source
AI summary
Contrast targets for medical imaging are disclosed herein which include a granule of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) material. The granule of SAP material has absorbed and formed crosslinks with a hydrogen-containing liquid to form an expanded SAP particle with at least one predetermined medical imaging physical property.