Sam Brusco, Associate Editor11.27.23
Stratasys has partnered with Siemens Healthineers to begin a research project designed to build new, state-of-the-art solutions to advance medical imaging phantoms in computed tomography (CT) imaging.
The duo said the joint development project will leverage Stratasys’ PolyJet tech in combination with its RadioMatrix tech and Siemens Healthineers’ advanced algorithm aimed at translating scanned patient images into specific material characteristics with the radiopacity of human anatomy. They say the solution will create tailored phantom manufacturing and ultra-realistic human anatomy characteristics with complete radiographic accuracy of patient-specific pathology not previously possible.
The two also said in some cases, the joint project could help device makers and academic facilities replace human cadavers with 3D-printed structures. They claim the work will produce a critical body of research data, providing critical insights to advance CT systems development, drive materials development, and unlock possible new application areas.
“The current limitations of imaging phantoms have been a longstanding challenge for the radiology community,” Stratasys’ VP of Medical Erez Ben Zvi told the press. “This partnership with Siemens Healthineers will enable us to jointly explore the vast possibilities of our radiopaque materials and 3D printing technologies to overcome these barriers.”
The project will start with manufacturing of 3D-printed phantoms for smaller-scale anatomies of the head and neck, then involve production of progressively larger and complex anatomies. This will lead up to the Phase One endpoint of 3D printing a heart model and entire human torse with complete radiographic accuracy.
“Knowledge gained from this project provides a breakthrough in medical imaging that will open up new avenues for uses when it comes to 3D printing and imaging,” said Lampros Theodorakis, Head of Computed Tomography Product & Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers. “We are excited about the opportunities ahead of us as a result of this partnership and believe it will have long-term impacts for medical and academic applications.”
The duo said the joint development project will leverage Stratasys’ PolyJet tech in combination with its RadioMatrix tech and Siemens Healthineers’ advanced algorithm aimed at translating scanned patient images into specific material characteristics with the radiopacity of human anatomy. They say the solution will create tailored phantom manufacturing and ultra-realistic human anatomy characteristics with complete radiographic accuracy of patient-specific pathology not previously possible.
The two also said in some cases, the joint project could help device makers and academic facilities replace human cadavers with 3D-printed structures. They claim the work will produce a critical body of research data, providing critical insights to advance CT systems development, drive materials development, and unlock possible new application areas.
“The current limitations of imaging phantoms have been a longstanding challenge for the radiology community,” Stratasys’ VP of Medical Erez Ben Zvi told the press. “This partnership with Siemens Healthineers will enable us to jointly explore the vast possibilities of our radiopaque materials and 3D printing technologies to overcome these barriers.”
The project will start with manufacturing of 3D-printed phantoms for smaller-scale anatomies of the head and neck, then involve production of progressively larger and complex anatomies. This will lead up to the Phase One endpoint of 3D printing a heart model and entire human torse with complete radiographic accuracy.
“Knowledge gained from this project provides a breakthrough in medical imaging that will open up new avenues for uses when it comes to 3D printing and imaging,” said Lampros Theodorakis, Head of Computed Tomography Product & Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers. “We are excited about the opportunities ahead of us as a result of this partnership and believe it will have long-term impacts for medical and academic applications.”