Phantom's body fabrication

This directory contains the necessary instructions and files for fabricating a phantom body, including materials and steps for creating both walled and wall-less channels.

For a step-by-step manufacturing and assembly instructions, please refer to the User manual located in /docs/ folder of the root directory of the repository.

Summary of the Fabrication Steps

1. Acrylic Frame Laser Cutting

   • Laser cut the file AcrilicBoxV4.svg in acrylic and assemble the box using acrifix glue.
   • Laser cut the support_consturction_blocks.svg using wither plywood or acrylic.

2. Prepare the Mold

   • Insert a silicone tube (6 mm inner diameter) into pre-arranged holes in the frame. You can also add a metalic rod int the tube to ensure it will stay straight.
   • Place a steel rod (6 mm diameter) for the wall-less channel. TIP: coat the steel rod with petrolum jelly for easier removal
   • Seal all the open holes with transparent tape. You can print phantom_hole_lid.stlto cover the holes of the wall-less channel.
   • Place the frame onto the suport blocs

3. Filling with Tissue-Mimicking Material

   • Prepare a tissue-mimicking silicone rubber material (EcoFlex 30, Smooth-On, USA).
   • Mix part A and B with a 1:1 ratio.
   • Degas the EcoFlex silicone for 60 seconds under a medium vacuum level (15-20 mbar) to remove any air bubbles.
   • After degassing, pour the silicone into the acrylic frame.
   • Allow the silicone to cure for 4 hours.

4. Removing the Sacrificial parts

   • Once cured, carefully remove the steel rod from the phantom, leaving behind a cylindrical wall-less channel.
   • Remove all other sacrificial parts.
   • Insert the inlet to conect the wall-less channel to a conveyor silicon tube.

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This process results in a phantom body with both walled and wall-less channels.