Patient-Specific 3D-Printed Phantoms Transform CT Imaging

New research has highlighted how anatomically precise, patient-specific 3D-printed phantoms are proving to be scalable, cost-effective, and efficient tools in the development of new CT scan algorithms and enhancing diagnostic precision. By utilizing 3D-printed anatomical models for radiology, these patient-specific phantoms can accurately replicate both the anatomy and pathologies of individual patients.

Stratasys (Rehovot, Israell) and Siemens Healthineers (Erlangen, Germany) have presented the results of a collaborative research project demonstrating the remarkable accuracy of Stratasys solutions in producing 3D-printed medical imaging phantoms that faithfully replicate human anatomy. This collaboration leverages Stratasys' RadioMatrix materials and Digital Anatomy technology, combined with Siemens' advanced algorithms, to significantly enhance the quality of complex anatomical imaging phantoms. This development allows surgeons, researchers, and educators to replace traditional, less accurate anatomical models used for pre-surgical planning and education.

By integrating Stratasys’ advanced Digital Anatomy technology and materials with Siemens’ imaging systems, the resulting patient-specific phantoms offer realistic radiopacity and anatomical precision. These models replicate clinical imaging outcomes more closely than traditional phantoms, addressing a long-standing issue in radiology for consistency and reliability while retaining the anatomical details and pathologies of individual patients. The ability to generate repeatable data sets for the same anatomy means these phantoms eliminate the ethical and variability challenges that come with using human scans or cadavers. These ultra-realistic phantoms not only accelerate the development of imaging algorithms but also facilitate the exploration of new clinical and academic applications.

Hospitals and imaging centers can benefit from these 3D-printed phantoms by enhancing the calibration and performance of CT scanners, ultimately leading to more accurate diagnoses and better patient outcomes. Furthermore, these phantoms are opening new possibilities for education, training, and research in radiology, improving patient care while reducing costs. The study results, presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting this winter, also highlighted the minimal deviations between real and printed models, with differences as small as single Hounsfield units (HU) in critical areas such as grey matter and veins. This level of accuracy redefines the standards for CT imaging research.

"The integration of 3D-printing solutions to create patient-realistic CT phantoms, combined with the Digital Anatomy technology from Stratasys, represents a significant innovation in the field of computed tomography,” said Jesús Fernández Léon, Head of Computed Tomography Product & Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers. “This cooperation not only enhances our ability to assess and verify the performance of modern CT systems but also ensures that our algorithms can rely on a highly realistic depiction of human anatomy. By working together, we are setting new standards in medical imaging.”

“The collaboration between Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers will pave the way for innovations that enhance imaging precision, improve training efficiency, and reduce reliance on cadavers,” said Erez Ben Zvi, Vice President of Healthcare, Stratasys. “This is a game-changer for the medical community. We believe this work can speed up the advancement of medicine and improve patient outcomes.”

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