SU‐E‐T‐97: Controllable Fluid Flow Using Polymer Compartments within a Dynamic Contrast Enhanced (DCE) Imaging Phantom Design for Quality Assurance

Purpose: Dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) imaging, a powerful tool for prognosis and evaluation during cancer treatment, lacks objective validation of derived quantitative metrics for practical clinical application. Existing validation techniques are limited to small animal models, simulation datasets, preserved organs and static phantoms, all of which fail to provide a reliable, re‐usable means for repeated studies under known system conditions. This work investigates the use of tissue‐like compartments of differential perfusion, which produce distinct signal intensities within a DCE image study. Methods :Using Selective Laser Sintering (SLS, a rapid prototyping technique), three‐dimensional computerized vascular trees with modular tissue compartments were manufactured. The last level of bifurcation within the network feeds compartments which house scaffolds. Scaffolds were fabricated using three techniques, each of which achieves a different minimum pore size and structural architecture: salt leaching‐solvent casting (SC/SL), SLS and inverted colloidal crystal (ICC). For each scaffold type, perfusion characteristics were examined in order to evaluate the differential flow rate realizable.Results: Vascular networks with four orders of bifurcation were produced. Four terminal vessels connect to a single compartment. Three scaffold techniques were used to generate scaffolds with pore sizes between 100 – 1000 microns. Estimated permeabilities of each technique were: SLS (1.60E‐5 ‐ 1.12E‐4 m4/N·s), SL/SC (1.48E‐7 ‐ 1.75E‐6 m4/N·s) and ICC (9.17E‐8 ‐ 3.29E‐7 m4/N·s). Each scaffold type offered a distinct differential flow Conclusions: The permeability characteristics supporting phantom‐based simulation of hepatic parenchyma perfusion are achievable using scaffolds. In the development of a perfusion phantom for quality assurance of DCE imaging and analysis, these compartments of known permeability may be used to validate systems. Current efforts include computing the known volumetric flow rate and performing various DCE post‐processing techniques on the phantom.