Program Information
Characterization of Psyllium Husk Modified Ballistic Gelatin Phantoms for Ultrasound and MR Imaging
L Fausett*, L Hofstetter , A Mueller , H Odeen , D Christensen , D Parker , University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Presentations
SU-I-GPD-SPS-1 (Sunday, July 30, 2017) 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM Room: Exhibit Hall
Purpose: To develop and characterize a simple cost-effective modified ballistic gelatin phantom that can be used for both ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. With no additions, gelatin phantoms produce little if any scattering for US imaging. This study characterizes MR and US image quality as a function of psyllium husk concentration added to increase US scattering.
Methods: Gelatin phantoms that emulate soft tissue acoustic properties were constructed using a recipe developed at the University of Utah with psyllium husk introduced as a scattering agent. In order to evaluate the effect of different psyllium husk concentrations, US B-mode and MR images were acquired for nine different concentrations. T1, T2, and T2* MR maps were acquired using inversion recovery (IR), spin echo (SE), and gradient-recalled echo (GRE) imaging protocols. Attenuation and speed of sound were measured at frequencies of 0.6, 1.0, 1.8, and 3.0 MHZ using through transmission. Linear fitting was used to calculate attenuation as a function of frequency.
Results: Ultrasound image quality increased with increasing psyllium husk concentration while quality of GRE images decreased with increasing concentration. The speed of sound and attenuation values ranged between 1567-1569 m/s and 0.429-0.459 dB/cm/MHZ, respectively. Measured T1 values ranged from 974-1038 ms. The T2 and T2* values ranged from 97-108 and 49-89 ms, respectively, with both showing a decreasing trend with increased concentration.
Conclusion: Our modified phantom demonstrated ultrasound scattering that increased with psyllium husk concentration while retaining speed of sound and attenuation values within the range of soft tissue making it an inexpensive and effective phantom for US/MRI comparison studies. Although MRI image quality decreased with increasing concentration, this phantom formula allows for several operating points where both MRI and US images of acceptable quality can be chosen. This phantom will allow comparative MRI/US studies of elastic property distributions.
Funding Support, Disclosures, and Conflict of Interest: This work was supported by the FUS Foundation Global Internship Program.
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