Ultrasonic system evaluation phantoms

Abstract

An ultrasound phantom and method of imaging are provided wherein the method quantifies data in decibels based on the log of a ratio of the signal intensity between adjacent regions within an ultrasound phantom. A phantom is disclosed for use with the method wherein the phantom can simulate the flow of blood within surrounding tissue. In one embodiment, the phantom is comprised of an open-cell, reticulated foam material matrix having a first density and at least one movable belt having a second density. The belt rotates on pulleys to simulate blood flow. The geometric relationship between the moving belt and the surrounding open-cell foam material provides a quantitative basis of assessing the beam forming characteristics of the imager as well as the ability of the system to separate the Doppler shifted signal from the stationary clutter signal. The belt can be provided with a shaped surface, such as scalloped, and the matrix can be biased against the surface so that rotation of the belt causes undulation at the surface interface between the belt and the matrix, thus simulating systaltic blood vessel movement. In another embodiment, the belt is replaced by a rotating disk of the same material as the belt such that differing blood flow rates between adjacent blood vessels can be simulated for ultrasonic imaging.