Spectral CT Imaging of 3D Printed Tissue Mimicking Materials Using Narrow Energy Bins

Abstract

Tissue Mimicking Materials (TMMs) are important in radiodiagnostics and radiotherapy, serving as models for human tissues in quality assurance, calibration, and research. These materials must closely replicate key X-ray imaging properties, including X-ray absorption, scattering, physical density, and radiological properties such as electron density and attenuation coefficients. While current CT imaging phantoms are designed for standard or dual-energy CT systems, they often lack the narrow energy resolution required for new spectral photon-counting CT (SPCCT) modalities. This thesis investigates the use of 3D printing technology and SPCCT to evaluate various 3D printable materials for their suitability as TMMs in SPCCT applications, using the MARS Microlab SPCCT scanner. The aim is to create a cost-effective and easy-to-reproduce method for designing and fabricating 3D-printed, anthropomorphic models for SPCCT. This project focuses on breast imaging and tests various 3D printable materials to mimic different breast tissues like adipose, fibroglandular tissue, skin, and cancer. The final goal is to produce a realistic 3D-printed breast phantom. This research is crucial since breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women globally. Early detection is essential, and although mammography is the standard for breast imaging, it has limitations, particularly with dense breast tissue. New technologies like Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) and dedicated breast computed tomography (bCT) provide enhancements but also come with drawbacks, such as higher radiation doses and longer analysis times. Photon-counting detectors in bCT systems show promise in overcoming these limitations by providing high-resolution images with lower electronic noise, thus enhancing the detection and characterization of breast lesions. This study aims to optimize SPCCT imaging protocols for breast imaging and develop realistic breast phantoms to evaluate image quality and radiation dose effectively. The objectives of this thesis are threefold: optimizing MARS SPCCT image acquisition protocols for breast imaging, investigating suitable 3D printable TMMs for replicating breast tissues, and fabricating a anthropomorphic breast phantom. By integrating 3D printing with SPCCT, this research seeks to establish a method for producing anatomically accurate, cost-effective phantoms for SPCCT imaging, potentially extending to other body parts. This innovative approach could significantly advance the development of phantoms for research and clinical applications, enhancing the precision and efficacy of SPCCT imaging in breast cancer detection and beyond.

Date of Award	1 Jul 2024
Original language	American English
Supervisor	AAMIR Raja (Supervisor)