Development of an organ‐specific insert phantom generated using a 3D printer for investigations of cardiac computed tomography protocols

Abstract

IntroductionAn ideal organ‐specific insert phantom should be able to simulate the anatomical features with appropriate appearances in the resultant computed tomography (CT) images. This study investigated a 3D printing technology to develop a novel and cost‐effective cardiac insert phantom derived from volumetric CT image datasets of anthropomorphic chest phantom.MethodsCardiac insert volumes were segmented from CT image datasets, derived from an anthropomorphic chest phantom of Lungman N‐01 (Kyoto Kagaku, Japan). These segmented datasets were converted to a virtual 3D‐isosurface of heart‐shaped shell, while two other removable inserts were included using computer‐aided design (CAD) software program. This newly designed cardiac insert phantom was later printed by using a fused deposition modelling (FDM) process via a Creatbot DM Plus 3D printer. Then, several selected filling materials, such as contrast media, oil, water and jelly, were loaded into designated spaces in the 3D‐printed phantom. The 3D‐printed cardiac insert phantom was positioned within the anthropomorphic chest phantom and 30 repeated CT acquisitions performed using a multi‐detector scanner at 120‐kVp tube potential. Attenuation (Hounsfield Unit, HU) values were measured and compared to the image datasets of real‐patient and Catphan® 500 phantom.ResultsThe output of the 3D‐printed cardiac insert phantom was a solid acrylic plastic material, which was strong, light in weight and cost‐effective. HU values of the filling materials were comparable to the image datasets of real‐patient and Catphan® 500 phantom.ConclusionsA novel and cost‐effective cardiac insert phantom for anthropomorphic chest phantom was developed using volumetric CT image datasets with a 3D printer. Hence, this suggested the printing methodology could be applied to generate other phantoms for CT imaging studies.

3D printing and medical imaging

“…The innovative use of 3D printing is demonstrated in the article by Abdullah et al . in which 3D printing was used to generate a reconfigurable heart insert phantom for cardiac CT protocols.…”

“…• use of 3D printed models as phantoms for medical radiation and imaging studies; and • education and explaining the relationship and interpretation of anatomy from medical imaging. The innovative use of 3D printing is demonstrated in the article by Abdullah et al 6 in which 3D printing was used to generate a reconfigurable heart insert phantom for cardiac CT protocols. This article illustrates two relationships of 3D printing with medical imaging, namely the use of medical imaging to obtain objectspecific source data for the generation of 3D models and the use of 3D models as phantoms for radiation and imaging protocols.…”

3D printing in medical imaging and healthcare services

“…An example of developing a physical 3D‐printed model using these three steps is shown in our previous work which is entitled “ Development of an organ‐specific insert phantom generated using a 3D printer for investigations of cardiac computed tomography protocols ” . We found that the resultant images, particularly attenuation values, were comparable to the image data sets of a real‐patient and Catphan ® 500 phantom.…”

Patient-specific 3D printed pulmonary artery model with simulation of peripheral pulmonary embolism for developing optimal computed tomography pulmonary angiography protocols

“…A new research direction of clinical application of 3D printed models is to develop optimal CT scanning protocols for radiation dose reduction. Abdullah et al created a 3D printed cardiac phantom based on CT images of anthropomorphic chest phantom and inserted filling materials into the phantom to simulate different anatomical structures (31). CT scans of the 3D printed model showed that CT attenuations of these filling materials were similar to those from patient's CT images (contrast medium, air, oil/fat and jelly/muscle).…”