Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers Optimize CT Phantoms

Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers have presented the results of a joint research effort investigating the use of 3D-printed medical imaging phantoms to simulate human anatomy. The combination of Stratasys’ Digital Anatomy technology and RadioMatrix materials with Siemens Healthineers’ algorithms enhances the quality of complex anatomical models for medical imaging. These models are intended to replace traditional, simplified phantom structures and enable a realistic representation of anatomical structures.

A key objective of the collaboration is the development of cost-efficient, scalable, and anatomically accurate CT phantoms that can be used in research, education, and surgical planning. By leveraging patient-specific 3D models, radiologists and surgeons can perform detailed diagnoses and surgical planning based on highly realistic anatomical structures.

“The integration of 3D-printing solutions to create patient-realistic CT phantoms, combined with the Digital Anatomytechnology 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 research demonstrates that 3D-printed phantoms provide consistent and reproducible imaging, eliminating ethical concerns and variability associated with using human tissues or cadavers. This contributes to the advancement of AI-driven imaging algorithms and material research.

Preliminary results were presented at this year’s Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, confirming that deviations between real and printed models in critical areas such as gray matter and blood vessels are within only a few Hounsfield units (HU). This level of precision sets new benchmarks for medical imaging research.

The collaboration between Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers is expected to have far-reaching implications for the medical field. The technology enables more precise CT scanner calibration, enhances training opportunities, and reduces the need for real tissue samples.

“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.”