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Vogt I, Engel K, Schlünz A, Kowal R, Hensen B, Gutberlet M, Wacker F, Rose G. MRI-compatible abdomen phantom to mimic respiratory-triggered organ movement while performing needle-based interventions. Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2024:10.1007/s11548-024-03188-x. [PMID: 38839726 DOI: 10.1007/s11548-024-03188-x] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE In vivo studies are often required to prove the functionality and safety of medical devices. Clinical trials are costly and complex, adding to ethical scrutiny of animal testing. Anthropomorphic phantoms with versatile functionalities can overcome these issues with regard to medical education or an effective development of assistance systems during image-guided interventions (e.g., robotics, navigation/registration algorithms). In this work, an MRI-compatible and customizable motion phantom is presented to mimic respiratory-triggered organ movement as well as human anatomy. METHODS For this purpose, polyvinyl alcohol cryogel (PVA-C) was the foundation for muscles, liver, kidneys, tumors, and remaining abdominal tissue in different sizes of the abdominal phantom body (APB) with the ability to mimic human tissue in various properties. In addition, a semi-flexible rib cage was 3D-printed. The motion unit (MU) with an electromagnetically shielded stepper motor and mechanical extensions simulated a respiration pattern to move the APB. RESULTS Each compartment of the APB complied the relaxation times, dielectricity, and elasticity of human tissue. It showed resistance against mold and provided a resealable behavior after needle punctures. During long-term storage, the APB had a weight loss of 2.3%, followed by changes to relaxation times of 9.3% and elasticity up to 79%. The MU was able to physiologically appropriately mimic the organ displacement without reducing the MRI quality. CONCLUSION This work presents a novel modularizable and low-cost PVA-C based APB to mimic fundamental organ motion. Beside a further organ motion analysis, an optimization of APB's chemical composition is needed to ensure a realistic motion simulation and reproducible long-term use. This phantom enhances diverse and varied training environments for prospective physicians as well as effective R&D of medical devices with the possibility to reduce in vivo experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Vogt
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Katja Engel
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Anton Schlünz
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Robert Kowal
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Bennet Hensen
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Diagnostics and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Marcel Gutberlet
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Diagnostics and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Wacker
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Institute of Diagnostics and Interventional Radiology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg Rose
- Research Campus STIMULATE, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany
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Lemine AS, Ahmad Z, Al-Thani NJ, Hasan A, Bhadra J. Mechanical properties of human hepatic tissues to develop liver-mimicking phantoms for medical applications. Biomech Model Mechanobiol 2024; 23:373-396. [PMID: 38072897 DOI: 10.1007/s10237-023-01785-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Using liver phantoms for mimicking human tissue in clinical training, disease diagnosis, and treatment planning is a common practice. The fabrication material of the liver phantom should exhibit mechanical properties similar to those of the real liver organ in the human body. This tissue-equivalent material is essential for qualitative and quantitative investigation of the liver mechanisms in producing nutrients, excretion of waste metabolites, and tissue deformity at mechanical stimulus. This paper reviews the mechanical properties of human hepatic tissues to develop liver-mimicking phantoms. These properties include viscosity, elasticity, acoustic impedance, sound speed, and attenuation. The advantages and disadvantages of the most common fabrication materials for developing liver tissue-mimicking phantoms are also highlighted. Such phantoms will give a better insight into the real tissue damage during the disease progression and preservation for transplantation. The liver tissue-mimicking phantom will raise the quality assurance of patient diagnostic and treatment precision and offer a definitive clinical trial data collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aicha S Lemine
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Qatar University Young Scientists Center (QUYSC), Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Zubair Ahmad
- Qatar University Young Scientists Center (QUYSC), Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
- Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Noora J Al-Thani
- Qatar University Young Scientists Center (QUYSC), Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Anwarul Hasan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering, Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jolly Bhadra
- Qatar University Young Scientists Center (QUYSC), Qatar University, 2713, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Materials (CAM), Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar.
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Iyad N, S.Ahmad M, Alkhatib SG, Hjouj M. Gadolinium contrast agents- challenges and opportunities of a multidisciplinary approach: Literature review. Eur J Radiol Open 2023; 11:100503. [PMID: 37456927 PMCID: PMC10344828 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejro.2023.100503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Contrast agents is used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to improve the visibility of the details of the organ structures. Gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) has been used since 1988 in MRI for diagnostic and follow-up of patients, the gadolinium good properties make it an effective choice for enhance the signal in MRI by increase its intensity and shortening the relaxation time of the proton. Recently, many studies show a gadolinium deposition in different human organs due to release of free gadolinium various body organs or tissue, which led to increased concern about the use of gadolinium agents, in this study, the potential diseases that may affect the patient and side effects that appear on the patient and related to accumulation of gadolinium were clarified, the study focused on the organs such as brain and bones in which gadolinium deposition was found and the lesions associated with it, and the diseases associated with gadolinium retention includes Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) and Gadolinium deposition disease (GDD). Some studies tended to improve the contrast agents by developing a new non-gadolinium agents or development of next-generation gadolinium agents. In this review article the latest knowledge about MRI contrast agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nebal Iyad
- Ibn Rushd Radiology Centre, Hebron, Palestine
| | - Muntaser S.Ahmad
- Ibn Rushd Radiology Centre, Hebron, Palestine
- Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Allied Medical Health, Palestine Ahliya University, Dheisha, Bethlehem, Palestine
| | - Sanaa G. Alkhatib
- Department of Medical Imaging, Faculty of Allied Medical Health, Palestine Ahliya University, Dheisha, Bethlehem, Palestine
| | - Mohammad Hjouj
- Medical Imaging Department, Faculty of Health Professions, Al-Quds University, Abu Deis - Main Campus, Jerusalem, Palestine
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Filippou A, Louca I, Damianou C. Characterization of a fat tissue mimicking material for high intensity focused ultrasound applications. J Ultrasound 2023; 26:505-515. [PMID: 36414928 PMCID: PMC10247632 DOI: 10.1007/s40477-022-00746-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) have a prominent role in validating new high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) therapies. Agar-based TMMs are often developed mimicking the thermal properties of muscle tissue, while TMMs simulating fat tissue properties are rarely developed. Herein, twelve agar-based TMMs were iteratively developed with varied concentrations of agar, water, glycerol and propan-2-ol, and characterized for their suitability in emulating the thermal conductivity of human fat tissue. METHODS Varied agar concentrations (2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 12%, 16% and 20% w/v) were utilized for developing seven water-based TMMs, while a 20% w/v agar concentration was utilized for developing two water/alcohol-based TMMs (50% v/v water and 50% v/v either glycerol or propan-2-ol) and three alcohol-based TMMs (varied glycerol and propan-2-ol concentrations). Thermal conductivity was measured for all TMMs, and the tissue mimicking material (TMM) exhibiting thermal conductivity closest to human fat was considered the optimum fat TMM and was further characterized using ultrasound (US) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). RESULTS For the seven water-based TMMs an inverse linear trend was observed between thermal conductivity and increased agar concentration, being between 0.524 and 0.445 W/m K. Alcohol addition decreased thermal conductivity of the two water/alcohol-based TMMs to about 0.33 W/m K, while in the alcohol-based TMMs, increased concentrations of propan-2-ol emerged as a modifier of thermal conductivity. The optimum fat TMM (33.3% v/v glycerol and 66.7% v/v propan-2-ol) exhibited a 0.231 W/m K thermal conductivity, and appeared hypoechoic on US images and with increased brightness on T1-Weighted MRI images. CONCLUSION The optimum fat TMM emulates the thermal conductivity of human fat tissue and exhibits a fat-like appearance on US and MRI images. The TMM is cost-effective and has a long lifespan and possesses great potential for use in HIFU applications as a fat TMM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antria Filippou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Irene Louca
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus
| | - Christakis Damianou
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Informatics, Cyprus University of Technology, 30 Archbishop Kyprianou Street, 3036, Limassol, Cyprus.
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Mirdamadi E, Tashman JW, Shiwarski DJ, Palchesko RN, Feinberg AW. FRESH 3D Bioprinting a Full-Size Model of the Human Heart. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:6453-6459. [PMID: 33449644 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c01133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in embedded three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting have expanded the design space for fabricating geometrically complex tissue scaffolds using hydrogels with mechanical properties comparable to native tissues and organs in the human body. The advantage of approaches such as Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) printing is the ability to embed soft biomaterials in a thermoreversible support bath at sizes ranging from a few millimeters to centimeters. In this study, we were able to expand this printable size range by FRESH bioprinting a full-size model of an adult human heart from patient-derived magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data sets. We used alginate as the printing biomaterial to mimic the elastic modulus of cardiac tissue. In addition to achieving high print fidelity on a low-cost printer platform, FRESH-printed alginate proved to create mechanically tunable and suturable models. This demonstrates that large-scale 3D bioprinting of soft hydrogels is possible using FRESH and that cardiac tissue constructs can be produced with potential future applications in surgical training and planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Mirdamadi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Joshua W Tashman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Daniel J Shiwarski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Rachelle N Palchesko
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Adam W Feinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States.,Department of Materials Science & Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 5000 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
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Dynamic Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model Within a Liver Phantom for Multimodality Imaging. Eur J Radiol Open 2020; 7:100257. [PMID: 32944594 PMCID: PMC7481524 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejro.2020.100257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common cancer in the world, and the effectiveness of its treatment lies in its detection in its early stages. The aim of this study is to mimic HCC dynamically through a liver phantom and apply it in multimodality medical imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound. Methods and materials The phantom is fabricated with two main parts, liver parenchyma and HCC inserts. The liver parenchyma was fabricated by adding 2.5 wt% of agarose powder combined with 2.6 wt% of wax powder while the basic material for the HCC samples was made from polyurethane solution combined with 5 wt% glycerol. Three HCC samples were inserted into the parenchyma by using three cylinders implanted inside the liver parenchyma. An automatic injector is attached to the input side of the cylinders and a suction device connected to the output side of the cylinders. After the phantom was prepared, the contrast materials were injected into the phantom and imaged using MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Results Both HCC samples and liver parenchyma were clearly distinguished using the three imaging modalities: MRI, CT, and ultrasound. Doppler ultrasound was also applied through the HCC samples and the flow pattern was observed through the samples. Conclusion A multimodal dynamic liver phantom, with HCC tumor models have been fabricated. This phantom helps to improve and develop different methods for detecting HCC in its early stages.
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