Anatomically Realistic, Flexible Anthropomorphic Phantoms to Optimize Imaging Algorithms

Summary

Researchers at Children's National Hospital have developed a new approach to creating phantoms or test instruments to recreate computed tomography (CT) images of anatomy and pathological conditions for analysis, evaluation and educational techniques. This technique is also accompanied by a software system.

Description

Imaging or CT phantoms are specially designed objects or stand-ins for subjects which are scanned or imaged to evaluate, analyze and tune the performance of the imaging device. Since the phantom is readily available compared to a living subject (who needs to be subject to radiation) or a cadaver, it is more convenient. Traditional approaches involved in creating these test instruments concentrate on representing the organ of interest instead of the pathological condition of interest. The following are the advantages of this phantom and software system:

1. Less expensive approach to creating phantoms on-site.
2. Quick and easy-to-create phantoms without depending on any special instruments.
3. Mimics all properties of a phantom.
4. Can be customized to different pathologies.
5. Does not expose subjects to harmful radiation compared to traditional protocols of testing and evaluation.

Applications

• Applicable to different pathologies

Stage of Development

• Preclinical studies ongoing and clinical studies planned.

Intellectual Property Status

• Software under development

This technology is available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.