A 3-D-Printed Patient-Specific Ultrasound Phantom for FAST Scan

Lidia Al-Zogbi; Brian Bock; Saul Schaffer; Thorsten Fleiter; Axel Krieger

doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.11.004

A 3-D-Printed Patient-Specific Ultrasound Phantom for FAST Scan

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2021 Mar;47(3):820-832. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.11.004. Epub 2020 Dec 14.

Authors

Lidia Al-Zogbi¹, Brian Bock², Saul Schaffer³, Thorsten Fleiter⁴, Axel Krieger⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Electronic address: lalzogb1@jh.edu.
² Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
⁴ R. Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
⁵ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

PMID: 33328132
DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2020.11.004

Abstract

Ultrasound phantoms are commonly used to assess the performance of ultrasound systems and ensure their proper functionality, in addition to providing opportunities for medical training. However, Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST) phantoms, in particular, are prohibitively expensive and procedure specific. This work explores the use of additive manufacturing to fabricate a patient-specific, full-scale torso ultrasound phantom. Phantom geometry was derived from anonymized computed tomography scans and segments into discrete organs. The digital organs (torso, skeleton, liver, spleen) were 3-D printed and used as castable molds for producing their respective body features. These organs were integrated with artificial hemorrhages to produce a realistic training tool for FAST scans. The resulting phantom is low in cost, has a verified shelf-life of at least 1 y and was positively reviewed by a trauma and emergency radiologist for its ability to provide accurate geometric and ultrasound information.

Keywords: 3-D printing; Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma scan; Patient specific; Ultrasound phantom.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Humans
Phantoms, Imaging*
Printing, Three-Dimensional*
Ultrasonography / methods*