Method for Producing Anatomical Phantoms with Constituents Having Variable Densities

A method of producing an anatomical phantom of an anatomical part having components of different density is described. The method includes providing a mold of an anatomical part, providing a constituent part having a size shape and density corresponding to a real constituent part of a real anatomical part, and placing the constituent part into the mold and supporting it in a location in the mold corresponding to an actual location of the real constituent part in the real anatomical part. The mold is filled with a hydrogel liquid precursor to encase the constituent part in the hydrogel liquid precursor. The hydrogel liquid precursor is then exposed to a cross linking agent to induce cross linking in the hydrogel liquid precursor to produce a hydrogel. When the hydrogel liquid precursor is cross linked, the resulting hydrogel exhibits a density corresponding to a density of tissue in the anatomical part.