Fabrication and control of CT number through polymeric composites based on coronary plaque CT phantom applications

Abstract

Biomedical phantoms are commonly used for various medical imaging modalities to improve imaging quality and procedures. Current biomedical phantoms fabricated commercially are high in cost and limited in the specificity of human environments and structures that can be mimicked. This study aimed to control the measurable computed tomography (CT) number in Hounsfield units through polymeric biomedical phantom materials using controlled amounts of hydroxyapatite (hA). The purpose was to fabricate CT phantoms capable of mimicking various coronary plaque types while introducing a fabrication technique and basis for a numerical model to which the technique may be applied. The CT number is tunable based on the controlled material properties of electron density and atomic numbers. Three different polymeric matrices of polyethylene (PE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) were selected due to their varied specific densities and ease of fabrication acting as integral properties for CT phantom fabrication. These polymers were processed together with additions of hA in mass percentages of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20% hA as well as a 0% hA as a control for each polymeric material. By adding hA to PE, TPU, and PVDF an increasing trend was exhibited between CT number and weight percent of hA.

Graphene Oxide Reinforcing Genipin Crosslinked Chitosan-Gelatin Blend Films

“…On the basis on these results, and while the beneficial versus detrimental effects of GO on polymeric materials are not fully elucidated, supplementary studies should be carried out. However, it is known that GO is an excellent heat conductor that provides a constant and mild energy dissipation throughout the matrix it embeds [50]. All the specimens with a GO load have a slightly lower weight loss at the end of the treatment, while CHT-GEL-GEN-GO05 was the most stable formulation.…”

Evaluation of radiation shielding properties of the polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide polymer composite

“…CT number has the direct relationship with linear attenuation coefficient (μ) and μ gives the combined effect of density and materials composition (Z eff ). [ 35 ] Polymer-doped Fe 3 O 4 is one of the contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging. [ 36 37 ] For exploring this into computed tomography application, we studied the CT numbers of the polymer composite [ Figure 3 ].…”

Development of a phantom network for optimization of coronary artery disease imaging using computed tomography

“…To obtain the correct arterial geometry for the mould, DICOM files from a patient CTCA were obtained from Toronto General Hospital [10] and the coronary Knobs were also added to the base of the arteries for easier handling of the mould. The 3D model was then saved as an STL file and the moulds were 3D printed on a FormLabs 2 SLA printer using a polypropylenelike resin (Durable resin, FormLabs Inc.).…”

“…Previous research has focused on in-house development of a dynamic anthropomorphic heart phantom (DAHP), in which an electrical and mechanical apparatus simulate the contraction, relaxation, and twisting motion of a heart model with physiologically accurate mechanical and geometric properties, as well as the appropriate CT attenuation when scanned using a dual-energy 320row multidetector CT (MDCT) [8,9]. Phantom plaque inserts mimicking the CT attenuation of plaque with various compositions have been developed for the DAHP as well [10]. The present study describes the next stage of development, which involves creating an anthropomorphic phantom coronary artery network to be integrated with the DAHP.…”