title: The design and fabrication of two portal vein flow phantoms by different methods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study outlines the design and fabrication techniques for two portal vein flow phantoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A materials study was performed as a precursor to this phantom fabrication effort and the desired material properties are restated for continuity. A three-dimensional portal vein pattern was created from the Visual Human database. The portal vein pattern was used to fabricate two flow phantoms by different methods with identical interior surface geometry using computer aided design software tools and rapid prototyping techniques. One portal flow phantom was fabricated within a solid block of clear silicone for use on a table with Ultrasound or within medical imaging systems such as MRI, CT, PET, or SPECT. The other portal flow phantom was fabricated as a thin walled tubular latex structure for use in water tanks with Ultrasound imaging. Both phantoms were evaluated for usability and durability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both phantoms were fabricated successfully and passed durability criteria for flow testing in the next project phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The fabrication methods and materials employed for the study yielded durable portal vein phantoms.
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado - Denver/Anschutz, 12700 East 19th Avenue, MS 8607, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Bryan E
authors: BE
authors: Yunker
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado - SOM, 12401 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Gerald D
authors: GD
authors: Dodd
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver, Colorado 80045 and Department of Medicine/Cardiology, University of Colorado - SOM, 12401 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop B132, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: S James
authors: SJ
authors: Chen
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado - SOM, 12401 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Samuel
authors: S
authors: Chang
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado - Denver/Anschutz, 12700 East 19th Avenue, MS 8607, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Craig J
authors: CJ
authors: Lanning
authors: Department of Radiology, University of Colorado - SOM, 12401 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop L954, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Ann L
authors: AL
authors: Scherzinger
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado - Denver/Anschutz, 12700 East 19th Avenue, MS 8607, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Shandas
authors: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas - San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, Mail Stop: AET 2.332, San Antonio, Texas 78249-0670.
authors: Yusheng
authors: Y
authors: Feng
authors: Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado - Denver/Anschutz, 12700 East 19th Avenue, MS 8607, Aurora, Colorado 80045.
authors: Kendall S
authors: KS
authors: Hunter
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D011169:Portal Vein / Q000033:anatomy & histology*