Development of an Anthropomorphic Shoulder Phantom Model That Simulates Bony Anatomy for Sonographic Measurement of the Acromiohumeral Distance

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to create a sonographic phantom model of the shoulder that was accurate in bone configuration. Its main purpose was for operator training to measure the acromiohumeral distance. A computerized 3‐dimensional model of the superior half of the humerus and scapula was rendered and 3‐dimensionally printed. The bone model was embedded in a gelatin compound and set in a shoulder‐shaped mold. The materials used had speeds of sound that were well matched to soft tissue and epiphyseal bone. The model was specifically effective in simulating the acromiohumeral distance because of its accurate bone geometry.

Recent advances on the development of phantoms using 3D printing for imaging with CT, MRI, PET, SPECT, and ultrasound

“…Adusumilli et al indirectly developed a shoulder model, and to measure the accuracy of the model, the acromiohumeral distance of the printed phantom and the US digital model was measured. Median, interquartile range and coefficient of variation were measured using calipers and sonography.…”

“…The resolution is expressed in dots per inch (dpi) or micrometers (μm) and assessed by comparing the dimensions of the produced physical phantom with the original dimensions provided to the printer. Among the papers used, 10 have assessed the resolution or accuracy of the printer by quantitative (numerical) comparison, 10 by qualitative (figural) comparison, and 14 by both quantitative and qualitative comparison . Sixteen of the research articles do not include a verification of the printers’ resolutions.…”

“…Among the papers used, 10 have assessed the resolution or accuracy of the printer by quantitative (numerical) comparison, [26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] 10 by qualitative (figural) comparison, 22,[36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] and 14 by both quantitative and qualitative comparison. 10,21,[45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52][53][54][55][56] Sixteen of the research articles do not include a verification of the printers' resolutions.…”

“…Also, the difference between the trunk phantom and the original patient data were 2.3% in the anterior/posterior dimensions and 0.9% in the left/right dimensions. Adusumilli et al 45 indirectly developed a shoulder model, and to measure the accuracy of the model, the acromiohumeral distance of the printed phantom and the US digital model was measured. Median, interquartile range and coefficient of variation were measured using calipers and sonography.…”

A Low‐Cost, Reusable, Ballistic Gelatin Ultrasound Phantom for Simulation of Glenohumeral Intraarticular Injections

“…In this case, there were no commercial models available for our desired purpose. On surveying the literature, we were able to find one attempt at creating a similar model . The authors used gelatin to create a model to allow for acromiohumeral distance measurement.…”