A framework to create realistic IVUS phantoms for different intraluminal pressures

Intravascular Ultrasound (IVUS) phantoms allow flexibility and full vessel and atherosclerotic-parameter control. Controlling coronary properties in phantoms is important to calibrate and test many different IVUS algorithm. Therefore, a framework to create representative IVUS phantoms, using Finite Element method and Field II, is presented. First, a coronary cross section model is selected. Second, the different regions of an IVUS image are assigned for the elasticity modulus. Third, triangular element is used to automatically generate the IVUS mesh, higher number of elements are disposed at borders, where more precision is required. Finally, the deformation is computed, using different intraluminal pressure. Consequently, the deformed image is generated, and Field II is applied to incorporate the Speckle noise. The framework is corroborated by creating phantoms with different features, and comparing the plaque strain rate, with deformations obtained by recent studies. Moreover, related modalities, such as Intravascular OCT and MRI can be included in this framework for future investigations.