Multimodal 3D cancer-mimicking optical phantom

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) organ-mimicking phantoms provide realistic imaging environments for testing various aspects of optical systems, including for evaluating new probe designs, characterizing the diagnostic potential of new technologies, and assessing novel image processing algorithms prior to validation in real tissue. We introduce and characterize the use of a new material, Dragon Skin (Smooth-On Inc.), and fabrication technique, air-brushing, for fabrication of a 3D phantom that mimics the appearance of a real organ under multiple imaging modalities. We demonstrate the utility of the material and technique by fabricating the first 3D, hollow bladder phantom with realistic normal and multi-stage pathology features suitable for endoscopic detection using the gold standard imaging technique, white light cystoscopy (WLC), as well as the complementary imaging modalities of optical coherence tomography and blue light cystoscopy, which are aimed at improving the sensitivity and specificity of WLC to bladder cancer detection. The flexibility of the material and technique used for phantom construction allowed for the representation of a wide range of diseased tissue states, ranging from inflammation (benign) to high-grade cancerous lesions. Such phantoms can serve as important tools for trainee education and evaluation of new endoscopic instrumentation.

Using 3D printing techniques to create an anthropomorphic thorax phantom for medical imaging purposes

“…Silicone (Dragon Skin ® 30, Smooth‐On, Macungie, PA, USA, ρ = 1.08 g/cm³) was used for the soft tissue (mediastinum, muscles, fat, skin) and was cast into the mold of the body contour that was 3D printed using SLS. Dragon Skin is a silicone‐based polymer that has been used in phantoms before . This material was chosen because its density is close to water.…”

“…Dragon Skin is a silicone-based polymer that has been used in phantoms before. 23,24 This material was chosen because its density is close to water. Furthermore, Dragon Skin is easily molded due to its high elasticity, which allowed clean removal of the phantom from the 3D-printed mold.…”

Optical model of the murine lung to optimize pulmonary illumination

“…32 3-D printing is also becoming a popular method for fabricating phantom molds and for manufacturing the phantoms themselves. [33][34][35] The phantom fabrication methods used here are described in full detail by Durkee et. al.…”

3D printing in urology: Is it really promising?

“…[10] Three-dimensional organ-mimicking phantoms provide realistic imaging environments for testing various aspects of optical systems and assessing novel image processing algorithms. [11] Murphy summarized the technological innovations in the field of ureterorenoscopy and concluded that the ongoing developments in virtual 3D imaging, and wireless endoscopy continue to create opportunities to improve the endoscopic urologic procedures. [12] An interesting study, although with limited number of patients, demonstrated that 3D reconstruction cloacagrams yielded similar results to endoscopic findings.…”