Clinical Report: Development of a Two-Layered Walled Vascular Phantom for Ultrasound Imaging
Overview
This study presents an innovative two-layered vascular phantom using polyvinyl alcohol cryogel (PVA-c) with a scattering agent to mimic both vessel walls and surrounding tissue. The phantom achieves anatomically realistic ultrasound imaging, particularly for intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound applications, while maintaining low cost and ease of fabrication.
Background
Ultrasound phantoms are essential tools in clinical training, procedural planning, and device testing, especially for vascular and cardiac interventions. Existing vascular phantoms range from simple walled models to complex wall-less designs, each with limitations in realism and durability. PVA-c offers customizable mechanical and acoustic properties but poses challenges in fabrication due to heat sensitivity. An ideal phantom must replicate vessel wall structure and surrounding tissue to provide realistic ultrasound imaging and haptic feedback for intraluminal device manipulation.
Data Highlights
The study fabricated three successive vascular phantoms (A, B, and C) using PVA-c mixed with talcum powder as a scattering agent. Freeze–thaw cycles (FTCs) were varied to optimize mechanical and acoustic properties. The phantoms demonstrated distinct vessel wall visualization and realistic ultrasound speckle patterns under intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound imaging, closely resembling the inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound appearance targeted in the study.
Key Findings
Use of PVA-c combined with talcum powder enabled creation of a two-layered vascular phantom with both vessel-mimicking and tissue-mimicking materials.
Varying the number of freeze–thaw cycles allowed tuning of mechanical strength and ultrasound backscatter properties.
The fabricated phantom showed anatomically realistic ultrasound images, particularly replicating the fibrous membrane and fatty tissue surroundings of the IVC.
The pull-out method was preferred for lumen creation to avoid heat damage to PVA-c properties.
The phantom supported smooth flow of blood-mimicking fluid and facilitated realistic catheter and ultrasound probe manipulation.
Clinical Implications
This innovative phantom design provides a practical and cost-effective tool for training and research in intravascular and intracardiac ultrasound-guided procedures. Its realistic ultrasound appearance and haptic feedback can enhance procedural planning and device testing, potentially improving clinical outcomes. The customizable fabrication process allows adaptation to different vascular anatomies and imaging requirements.
Conclusion
The study successfully developed a simple, low-cost, two-layered vascular phantom that realistically mimics vessel walls and surrounding tissue for ultrasound imaging. This advancement supports improved training and research in vascular and cardiac interventional procedures.
