Thermoplastic 3D printing technology using a single filament for producing realistic patient-derived breast models

Abstract

Objective. This work describes an approach for producing physical anthropomorphic breast phantoms from clinical patient data using three-dimensional (3D) fused-deposition modelling (FDM) printing. Approach. The source of the anthropomorphic model was a clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) patient image set, which was segmented slice by slice into adipose and glandular tissues, skin and tumour formations; thus obtaining a four component computational breast model. The segmented tissues were mapped to specific Hounsfield Units (HU) values, which were derived from clinical breast Computed Tomography (CT) data. The obtained computational model was used as a template for producing a physical anthropomorphic breast phantom using 3D printing. FDM technology with only one polylactic acid filament was used. The physical breast phantom was scanned at Siemens SOMATOM Definition CT. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation were carried out to assess the clinical realism of CT slices of the physical breast phantom. Main results. The comparison between selected slices from the computational breast phantom and CT slices of the physical breast phantom shows similar visual x-ray appearance of the four breast tissue structures: adipose, glandular, tumour and skin. The results from the task-based evaluation, which involved three radiologists, showed a high degree of realistic clinical radiological appearance of the modelled breast components. Measured HU values of the printed structures are within the range of HU values used in the computational phantom. Moreover, measured physical parameters of the breast phantom, such as weight and linear dimensions, agree very well with the corresponding ones of the computational breast models. Significance. The presented approach, based on a single FDM material, was found suitable for manufacturing of a physical breast phantom, which mimics well the 3D spatial distribution of the different breast tissues and their x-ray absorption properties. As such, it could be successfully exploited in advanced x-ray breast imaging research applications.

Attenuation coefficient in the energy range 14–36 keV of 3D printing materials for physical breast phantoms

“…The observed increase of peak power was as large 30%-40% for sample thickness less than 50 mm. We note that FDM printing strategies have been reported which may eliminate this source of spatial non-uniformity when realizing variabledensity (non-homogeneous) realistic breast phantoms (Okkalidis 2018, Daskalov et al 2019, Dukov et al 2019b, Dukov et al 2022. As regards the object repeatability/reproducibility in 3D printing sessions, in terms of object average density, dimensional deviations were observed not exceeding 1%, both intra-session (i.e.…”

Convex and Concave Model 3D Printing for Designing Right-side Bronchial Blocker for Infants

“…Nonetheless, when measuring small anatomical structures, such as the distance from the opening of the RUL to the carina (LD) and the inner diameter of the right main bronchus (TD), the measurement error tends to be relatively larger. High-precision 3D printing based on CT scanning DICOM files and repeated measurement of 3D printed models can provide more realistic measured values[ 26 - 28 ]. However, 3D printing in every case would be expensive and environmentally unfriendly[ 29 ].…”

Current advances in engineering meniscal tissues: insights into 3D printing, injectable hydrogels and physical stimulation based strategies

“…Larger defects are easier to treat with micro-extrusion-based 3D printing approach. With the reduced defect size, micro-extrusion printing is limited by its printing resolution which in turn is dependent upon the choice of materials (material viscosity [354], cytocompatibility), printer specifications (nozzle size, spatial printing resolution, extrusion pressure) [355], scanning modality used (CT or MRI resolution) and 3D reconstruction precision (3D segmentation software) [356,357]. As discussed previously, the synthetic materials provide print-fidelity and resolution but lack in biological activity, while natural materials are limited by the extensive optimizations needed for printfidelity and resolution.…”

“…The issues with extrusion based printing resolution can be overcome with advanced manufacturing approaches such as melt-electro-writing [356,358] and using compatible polymer composites. Photocrosslinking polymers and nozzle-free printing are rising as excellent alternative to micro-extrusion printing by ameliorating issues related with printing resolution, fabrication speed, cell and growth factor encapsulation, rapid cross-linking and the need for high-viscosity shear-thinning polymers.…”