Evaluation of a low-cost liquid ultrasound test object for detection of transducer artefacts

Abstract

Routine quality control of ultrasound scanners and transducers is important for maintaining image quality. Our experience suggests that artefact and uniformity evaluation is the most effective single phantom test for detecting equipment problems. Current methods for assessing ultrasound images for artefacts have important limitations. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a novel, low-cost, liquid phantom with a flexible surface for assessing artefacts. A range of materials were evaluated and the optimal liquid phantom was found to be a water/cornstarch solution contained within a flexible latex balloon. When compared to a rigid tissue-mimicking phantom no deficiencies in overall image appearance or artefact detection for any transducer model was observed for the liquid phantom. With minimal training, reproducible clips were obtained by clinical sonographers with low inter- and intra-operator dependence, for a range of transducers models. The flexible scanning surface of the liquid phantom allows complete rapid coupling of all transducers. Due to its ease of use and low cost this liquid phantom appears superior to rigid phantoms for assessment of non-uniformity artefacts, and should allow clinical practices to perform routine artefact assessments of all ultrasound scanners and transducers.

Four-Year Experience with a Clinical Ultrasound Quality Control Program

“…Commercial US QC phantoms are relatively expensive, ranging from about $1000 to $3000. We have reported on a novel, liquid US test object that can be used to evaluate transducer uniformity in a very sensitive and time-efficient manner (King et al 2010). The cost of this test object is less than $10, which would be the extent of the cost of equipment needed to execute the routine clinical QC program recommended above.…”

Method for automatic detection of defective ultrasound linear array transducers based on uniformity assessment of clinical images — A case study

“…King et al 22. compared different ways of detecting defective transducers by using the information in several images of a dynamic clip of a low‐cost phantom produced for this purpose 23. In their study, the median image of the dynamic clip was used in two ways for visual assessment and was compared with assessment of the dynamic clip.…”

Assessment of three methods for detection of ultrasound artifacts

“…To overcome the challenges associated with current methods, we have developed and previously reported a unique phantom for assessing US artifacts. 5 This phantom consists of a flexible balloon containing a particle solution in a liquid, which when agitated creates a rapidly varying dynamic speckle field. The flexible nature of the phantom allows complete coupling of all transducers.…”

“…The flexible nature of the phantom allows complete coupling of all transducers. 5 The purpose of this work is to measure the performance (sensitivity and specificity) of three different visually based methods of detecting ultrasound artifacts using dynamic clips obtained with our liquid phantom. This is part of an overall effort to increase the sensitivity of artifact detection while also reducing the time and the overall cost of the quality control (QC) process, thereby allowing US practices with limited resources to perform effective, routine QC.…”