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Soloukey S, Generowicz B, Warnert E, Springeling G, Schouten J, De Zeeuw C, Dirven C, Vincent A, Kruizinga P. Patient-Specific Vascular Flow Phantom for MRI- and Doppler Ultrasound Imaging. ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE & BIOLOGY 2024; 50:860-868. [PMID: 38471997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Intraoperative Doppler ultrasound imaging of human brain vasculature is an emerging neuro-imaging modality that offers vascular brain mapping with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. At present, however, access to the human brain using Doppler Ultrasound is only possible in this intraoperative context, posing a significant challenge for validation of imaging techniques. This challenge necessitates the development of realistic flow phantoms outside of the neurosurgical operating room as external platforms for testing hardware and software. An ideal ultrasound flow phantom should provide reference-like values in standardized topologies such as a slanted pipe, and allow for measurements in structures closely resembling vascular morphology of actual patients. Additionally, the phantom should be compatible with other clinical cerebrovascular imaging modalities. To meet these criteria, we developed and validated a versatile, multimodal MRI- and ultrasound Doppler phantom. METHODS Our approach incorporates the latest advancements in phantom research using tissue-mimicking material and 3D-printing with water-soluble resin to create wall-less patient-specific lumens, compatible for ultrasound and MRI. RESULTS We successfully produced three distinct phantoms: a slanted pipe, a y-shape phantom representing a bifurcating vessel and an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) derived from clinical Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA)-data of the brain. We present 3D ultrafast power Doppler imaging results from these phantoms, demonstrating their ability to mimic complex flow patterns as observed in the human brain. Furthermore, we showcase the compatibility of our phantom with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). CONCLUSION We developed an MRI- and Doppler Ultrasound-compatible flow-phantom using customizable, water-soluble resin prints ranging from geometrical forms to patient-specific vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Soloukey
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Esther Warnert
- Deparment of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Geert Springeling
- Deparment of Experimental Medical Instrumentation, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Schouten
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chris De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Royal Dutch Academy for Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Clemens Dirven
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arnaud Vincent
- Department of Neurosurgery, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Pieter Kruizinga
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Cristant C, Kolasangiani K, Sadanand S, Bougherara H, Sussman D. Effect of Injection Parameters on the MRI and Dielectric Properties of Condensation-Cured Silicone. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4670. [PMID: 38139922 PMCID: PMC10747146 DOI: 10.3390/polym15244670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Phantoms with tissue-mimicking properties play a crucial role in the calibration of medical imaging modalities, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Among these phantoms, silicone-based ones are widely used due to their long-term stability in MR imaging. Most of these phantoms are manufactured using traditional pour-mold techniques which often result in the production of air bubbles that can damage the phantom. This research investigates the feasibility of utilizing extrusion techniques to fabricate silicone phantoms and explores the effects of extrusion parameters including plunger speed and nozzle diameter on void content, T1 and T2 relaxation times, and dielectric properties. A custom double-syringe silicone extrusion apparatus was developed to prepare the silicone samples. The void content, relaxometry, and dielectric properties of extruded samples were measured and compared with traditional poured samples. The results show that extrusion parameters can affect the void content of the silicone samples. The presence of voids in the samples resulted in lower T1 values, indicating an inverse relationship between void content and relaxometry. This study demonstrates the potential of extrusion techniques for manufacturing silicone phantoms with reduced air bubble formation and provides valuable insights into the relationship between extrusion parameters and phantom properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Cristant
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada; (C.C.); (S.S.)
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), St. Michael’s Hospital & Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (K.K.); (H.B.)
| | - Kamal Kolasangiani
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), St. Michael’s Hospital & Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (K.K.); (H.B.)
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Siddharth Sadanand
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada; (C.C.); (S.S.)
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), St. Michael’s Hospital & Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (K.K.); (H.B.)
| | - Habiba Bougherara
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), St. Michael’s Hospital & Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (K.K.); (H.B.)
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Dafna Sussman
- Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada; (C.C.); (S.S.)
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), St. Michael’s Hospital & Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada; (K.K.); (H.B.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1E2, Canada
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Kraft M, Ryger S, Berman BP, Downs ME, Jordanova KV, Poorman ME, Oberdick SD, Ogier SE, Russek SE, Dagher J, Keenan KE. Towards a barrier-free anthropomorphic brain phantom for quantitative magnetic resonance imaging: Design, first construction attempt, and challenges. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285432. [PMID: 37437022 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Existing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reference objects, or phantoms, are typically constructed from simple liquid or gel solutions in containers with specific geometric configurations to enable multi-year stability. However, there is a need for phantoms that better mimic the human anatomy without barriers between the tissues. Barriers result in regions without MRI signal between the different tissue mimics, which is an artificial image artifact. We created an anatomically representative 3D structure of the brain that mimicked the T1 and T2 relaxation properties of white and gray matter at 3 T. While the goal was to avoid barriers between tissues, the 3D printed barrier between white and gray matter and other flaws in the construction were visible at 3 T. Stability measurements were made using a portable MRI system operating at 64 mT, and T2 relaxation time was stable from 0 to 22 weeks. The phantom T1 relaxation properties did change from 0 to 10 weeks; however, they did not substantially change between 10 weeks and 22 weeks. The anthropomorphic phantom used a dissolvable mold construction method to better mimic anatomy, which worked in small test objects. The construction process, though, had many challenges. We share this work with the hope that the community can build on our experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikail Kraft
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Slavka Ryger
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Ben P Berman
- The MITRE Corporation, McLean, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Matthew E Downs
- The MITRE Corporation, McLean, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kalina V Jordanova
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Megan E Poorman
- Hyperfine, Inc, Guilford, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Samuel D Oberdick
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Stephen E Ogier
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
- Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Stephen E Russek
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Joseph Dagher
- The MITRE Corporation, McLean, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Kathryn E Keenan
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory, Boulder, Colorado, United States of America
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Kilian D, Kilian W, Troia A, Nguyen TD, Ittermann B, Zilberti L, Gelinsky M. 3D Extrusion Printing of Biphasic Anthropomorphic Brain Phantoms Mimicking MR Relaxation Times Based on Alginate-Agarose-Carrageenan Blends. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:48397-48415. [PMID: 36270624 PMCID: PMC9634698 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c12872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The availability of adapted phantoms mimicking different body parts is fundamental to establishing the stability and reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods. The primary purpose of such phantoms is the mimicking of physiologically relevant, contrast-creating relaxation times T1 and T2. For the head, frequently examined by MRI, an anthropomorphic design of brain phantoms would imply the discrimination of gray matter and white matter (WM) within defined, spatially distributed compartments. Multichannel extrusion printing allows the layer-by-layer fabrication of multiple pastelike materials in a spatially defined manner with a predefined shape. In this study, the advantages of this method are used to fabricate biphasic brain phantoms mimicking MR relaxation times and anthropomorphic geometry. The printable ink was based on purely naturally derived polymers: alginate as a calcium-cross-linkable gelling agent, agarose, ι-carrageenan, and GdCl3 in different concentrations (0-280 μmol kg-1) as the paramagnetic component. The suggested inks (e.g., 3Alg-1Agar-6Car) fulfilled the requirements of viscoelastic behavior and printability of large constructs (>150 mL). The microstructure and distribution of GdCl3 were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). In closely monitored steps of technological development and characterization, from monophasic and biphasic samples as printable inks and cross-linked gels, we describe the construction of large-scale phantom models whose relaxation times were characterized and checked for stability over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Kilian
- Centre
for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, Faculty of
Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität
Dresden (TUD), Dresden01307, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Kilian
- Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin10587, Germany
| | - Adriano Troia
- Istituto
Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), Turin10135, Italy
| | - Thanh-Duc Nguyen
- Centre
for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, Faculty of
Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität
Dresden (TUD), Dresden01307, Germany
| | - Bernd Ittermann
- Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt (PTB), Berlin10587, Germany
| | - Luca Zilberti
- Istituto
Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRiM), Turin10135, Italy
| | - Michael Gelinsky
- Centre
for Translational Bone, Joint and Soft Tissue Research, Faculty of
Medicine Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität
Dresden (TUD), Dresden01307, Germany
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