Phantoms have been widely used in medical imaging for system optimization, image quality assessment, and radiation dose reduction, but recent developments in imaging and reconstruction techniques now require more sophisticated and realistic phantoms, Shuai Leng, PhD, told AuntMinnie.com.
"The flexibility of the 3D printing technique is a perfect match for the need of patient-specific radiological phantoms," he said.
However, most high-end, industrial-level printers are costly, difficult to access, and offer limited radiodensities, he noted.
Considering these limitations, the researchers used a desktop 3D printer to create a phantom of a patient forearm. They were able to reproduce anatomical and pathological details particular to the patient by using customized filaments, the details of which the researchers will discuss in their presentation.
"Our work demonstrates the feasibility of constructing patient-specific phantoms with appropriate attenuation properties using a desktop printer," Leng said. "These phantoms can be used in a wide range of applications, such as assessing image quality and determining the lowest radiation dose of certain imaging, as well as reconstruction techniques."
