A low-cost PVC-based dual-modality kidney phantom

Phantoms are invaluable tools broadly used for research and training purposes designed to mimic tissues and structures in the body. In this paper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC)-plasticizer and silicone rubbers were explored as economical materials to reliably create long-lasting, realistic kidney phantoms with contrast under both ultrasound (US) and X-ray imaging. The radiodensity properties of varying formulations of soft PVC-based gels were characterized to allow adjustable image intensity and contrast. Using this data, a phantom creation workflow was established which can be easily adapted to match radiodensity values of other organs and soft tissues in the body. Internal kidney structures such as the medulla and ureter were created using a two-part molding process to allow greater phantom customization. The kidney phantoms were imaged under US and X-ray scanners to compare the contrast enhancement of a PVC-based medulla versus a silicone-based medulla. Silicone was found to have higher attenuation than plastic under X-ray imaging, but poor quality under US imaging. PVC was found to exhibit good contrast under X-ray imaging and excellent performance for US imaging. Finally, the durability and shelf life of our PVC-based phantoms were observed to be vastly superior to that of common agar-based phantoms. The work presented here allows extended periods of usage and storage for each kidney phantom while simultaneously preserving anatomical detail, contrast under dual-modality imaging, and low cost of materials.

Automated summary

In this study, PVC-plasticizer and silicone rubbers were used to create realistic and durable kidney phantoms with contrast under both ultrasound and X-ray imaging. The radiodensity properties of PVC-based gels were characterized to allow adjustable image intensity and contrast. By using a two-part molding process, internal structures of the kidney were created for greater customization. The study found that PVC exhibited good contrast under X-ray imaging and performed excellently for ultrasound imaging, making it a more suitable material for kidney phantoms compared to silicone. The durability and shelf life of the PVC-based phantoms were also observed to be superior to commonly used agar-based phantoms.