Review of materials and technological solutions for creating phantoms used in computed tomography

Abstract

The use of computed tomography during diagnostic examinations makes it a source of additional radiation exposure to patients. In this regard, the development of test objects (phantoms) that simulate the X-ray properties of tissues, including for preliminary assessment of the ionizing radiation distribution, becomes relevant. These test objects play an important role in quality control and the development of new medical imaging methods in conditions where test scans of patients are not possible. Although a range of ready-made solutions is available on the market, there is a lack of prototypes with a certain set of properties to test scientific and practical hypotheses in solving specific clinical and technical problems. Finding materials for a fast and inexpensive production process and studying their properties could provide insight into the effectiveness of their use in making phantoms. The purpose of the work is to search and analyze materials for creating phantoms used in computed tomography. The article discusses materials for the production of non-anthropomorphic and anthropomorphic phantoms, including those printed on a 3D printer. The development of three-dimensional printing has facilitated the transition from simple test objects to high-precision anthropomorphic phantoms made from tissue-mimicking materials that have equivalent signals on computer tomograms. Plastics, silicones, polyvinyl chloride, resins, liquids are used for visualizations identical to soft tissues; plastics, gypsum, photopolymers, potassium hydrogen orthophosphate, calcium hydroxyapatite, plexiglass — for hard tissues. Commercial phantoms are made from materials with reproducible, stable properties, but these same materials must be retested to create test objects specific to a particular clinical task.