New findings on the quality of anatomical 3D prints

Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers have unveiled the results of a joint research effort that demonstrates the accuracy of Stratasys' 3D printed medical models to replicate human anatomy. This collaboration combines Stratasys' Radiomatrix materials and Digital Anatomy technology with Siemens Healthineers' algorithms to improve the quality of anatomical models. These are intended to replace the phantom models previously used for planning and training before operations.

The research results show that patient-specific 3D-printed models are not only cost-efficient and precise. They also enable the development of new CT scan algorithms and contribute to improving diagnostic accuracy. The use of these models in radiology allows a realistic reproduction of anatomical structures and pathologies.

Jesús Fernández Léon, Head of Computed Tomography Product & Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers, emphasized the importance of this innovation for computed tomography. The combination of 3D printing solutions and digital anatomy technology not only improves the evaluation and verification of modern CT systems, but also sets new standards in medical imaging.

The results of the study were presented at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). The joint research aims to further advance innovation in medical imaging. By integrating advanced digital anatomy technology and materials, patient-specific phantoms with high anatomical precision and realistic radiopacity are created. These models provide a more accurate representation of clinical imaging results than conventional phantoms and meet the high demands of radiology for consistency and reliability.

In addition, these phantoms offer the advantage that repeatable data sets can be generated on the same anatomy. This eliminates ethical and variability issues associated with human scans or the use of cadavers. They also facilitate the validation of AI-based software solutions, accelerate the development of new imaging algorithms and promote innovation in the field of materials science.

The use of this technology in hospitals and imaging centers can help to optimize the calibration and performance of CT scanners. This would lead to more precise diagnoses and better patient outcomes. At the same time, it opens up new opportunities for education, training and research in radiology.

Erez Ben Zvi, Vice President of Healthcare at Stratasys, sees the collaboration with Siemens Healthineers as a significant step forward for the medical community. This partnership could not only increase imaging accuracy and make training more efficient, but also reduce dependence on cadaver donors.

The RSNA presentation also highlighted the deviations between real and printed models. In critical areas such as gray matter and veins, the deviation was only one Hounsfield unit (HU), which sets new standards for CT imaging research.