Verification of Ultrasound Imaging Phantoms: An Evaluation Study

Ultrasonic imaging is one of the most popular soft tissue imaging techniques currently used in modern medicine. It is widely used because it is easy to apply, economical, fast, and gives a snapshot. The absence of side effects of ultrasonic waves, such as X-ray or tomography, which are other commonly used imaging techniques, provides safe use. It can even be used for imaging the fetus in the womb. Non-invasive imaging of soft tissues for diagnostic and therapeutic applications offers great advantages to medical practitioners. Verification of ultrasound imaging devices is done with ultrasonic imaging phantoms. Phantoms are water-based chemical mixtures with agar or Zerdine in their structure. Phantoms are water-based chemical mixtures that are agar or Zerdine in their structure, and their density can change depending on time, and accordingly the sound velocity and sound absorption coefficient change. In this study, acoustic parameters such as sound velocity and acoustic attenuation coefficient of two different ultrasound phantoms, Doppler 403 Flow Phantom and Multi-Purpose Phantom, were evaluated according to manufacturer specifications. The measurement system consists of ultrasonic imaging phantom, ultrasonic transducer (probe), pulser-receiver and oscilloscope. The verification of the measuring system was checked with a stainless steel ladder block. The physical controls of the phantom were primarily made visually and with an ultrasonic imaging device. Ultrasonic transducer was coupled with the surface of the phantom using ultrasonic gel and echo signals reflected from the phantom were evaluated by means of receiving signal from transducer and oscilloscope. Analytical evaluation of verification methods of ultrasonic imaging phantoms will make a valuable contribution to metrological measurements. In addition, in light of this study, a few suggestions for phantom design will be presented to facilitate the measurement process for a better metrological evaluation of phantoms.