2023-12-03 08:57:44
Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers want to push the boundaries of medical imaging with CT scans with a combination of smart algorithms and 3D printing. This specifically concerns the use of CT phantoms. This will be printed in ultra-realistic 3D.
CT phantoms are a crucial tool in medical imaging and an almost universal tool in hospitals around the world. These phantoms are designed to simulate certain features of the human body. This allows the core data of a CT scan to be measured, such as the radiation dose and image quality. This is done to support the calibration of a CT scanner.
Limits
“The current limitations of imaging phantoms have long been a challenge for the radiology community,” said Erez Ben Zvi, Vice President Medical at Stratasys. “This collaboration with Siemens Healthineers allows us to jointly explore the enormous potential of our radiopaque materials (materials that do not transmit X-rays, ed.) and 3D printing technologies to overcome these barriers.” The project uses PolyJet technology in combination with the unique RadioMatrix technology.
Final goal: printing heart model and human torso
The advanced algorithm from Siemens Healthineers translates the scanned patient images into specific material properties with radiopacity of the human anatomy. For example, custom-made phantoms with ultra-realistic human anatomy features are 3D printed, something that has not yet been possible. Starting with the production of 3D printed phantoms for smaller-scale anatomies of the head and neck region, research will include the production of increasingly larger and more complex anatomies. The endpoint will be the 3D printing of a heart model and of a complete human torso with full radiographic accuracy.
Significance of the project
“The knowledge gained from this project will provide a breakthrough in medical imaging. This opens new avenues,” says Lampros Theodorakis, Head of Computed Tomography Product & Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers. He expects that this will change the use of phantoms. In some cases, manufacturers of medical imaging equipment will work with 3D printed structures in the future. This project will also generate a critical amount of research data, providing important insights for advancing CT system algorithms, driving materials development and unlocking potential new application areas – as well as identifying future research opportunities.
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