Researchers at West Lafayette, Ind.-based Purdue University developed a method to create medical imaging phantoms using 3D printers.
Here are three things to know:
1. Phantoms are scanned or imaged to assess and tune the performance of imaging devices.
2. The new technology allows manufacturers to create phantoms with optical properties designed to match those of biological tissues. It is intended to improve the process to ensure imaging machines are correctly calibrated.
3. Most phantoms are currently produced using injection mold methods, which limits their shape to the mold geometry.
"We wanted to find a better way to create the phantoms that are used with imaging machines," said Starfish Engineering CEO Brian Bentz. "3D printing is fast and allows us to create complex phantoms with various shapes to ensure the best possible performance for imaging devices."