Test phantom for ultrasound image quality assessment

An ultrasound test phantom, comprising:

• a block of material having a planar top surface, said material selected from the group consisting of hydrogels and oil-based rubbers having human-tissue-mimicking properties, said block adapted to have ultrasonic energy transmitted therein at said top surface;
• and
• a plurality of spaced-apart groups of targets embedded in said block wherein each of said targets in at least two of said groups is adapted to appear in an ultrasonic image when exposed to the ultrasonic energy, each of said groups located at a unique depth region within said block as measured from said top surface, said targets in each of said groups including a first linear target spaced-apart from a second linear target within said depth region associated therewith,
• wherein, for each of said groups, said first linear target extends in a first direction at a first depth of said depth region associated therewith, and said second linear target extends in a second direction at a second depth of said depth region associated therewith,
• wherein, when viewed from said top surface, a crossing point is defined wherein said first direction and said second direction cross at an angle between 10° and 170°, and
• wherein, for each of said groups, said crossing point is located along a line perpendicular to said top surface.

An ultrasound test phantom, comprising:

• a block of human-tissue-mimicking material, said block having a planar top surface;
• a plurality of spaced-apart groups of targets embedded in said block wherein each of said targets is adapted to appear in an ultrasonic image when exposed to ultrasonic energy, each of said groups located at a unique depth region within said block as measured from said top surface;
• said targets in each of said groups including a first linear target spaced-apart from a second linear target within said depth region associated therewith;
• and
• said targets in at least one of said groups further including a plurality of different-diameter and spaced-apart anechoic spheres, wherein each of said anechoic spheres has a center at said first depth associated with a corresponding said at least one of said groups,
• wherein, for each of said groups, said first linear target extends in a first direction at a first depth of said depth region associated therewith, and said second linear target extends in a second direction at a second depth of said depth region associated therewith,
• wherein spacing between said first linear target and said second linear target is identical for at least a portion of said groups,
• wherein, when viewed from said top surface, a crossing point is defined wherein said first direction and said second direction cross at an angle between 10° and 170°, and
• wherein, for each of said groups, said crossing point is located along a line perpendicular to said top surface.