Chinese reference population: Open-source age-dependent computational phantoms of reference Chinese population

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics and Imaging
• Computational Anatomy
• Radiation Dosimetry

Background:

• Computational phantoms are crucial tools in radiation protection, medical imaging, and surgical navigation.
• Existing computational phantoms lack adequate representation for diverse demographic groups, particularly within the Chinese population.
• There is a need for age- and sex-specific anatomical models for accurate simulations and research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and provide open-access computational phantoms representing the Chinese population across various age groups and physiological states.
• To address the gap in anatomical diversity for sensitive populations, including children and pregnant women.
• To create a valuable resource for research in medical imaging, radiotherapy, and radiation protection.

Main Methods:

• Development of 30 Chinese reference population (CRP) phantoms in voxel and NURBS formats.
• Utilized whole-body CT scans from 22 patients for image segmentation, NURBS reconstruction, and voxelization.
• Incorporated reference organ masses from established Chinese and international anatomical and physiological datasets.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive collection of 30 age-dependent computational phantoms (0-18 years, adults, pregnant women) is now available.
• Phantoms are provided in both voxel (DAT format) and NURBS formats, with associated descriptive data.
• All data and phantoms are accessible via open-access platforms (official website and Zenodo).

Conclusions:

• This work delivers a unique, open-source dataset of computational phantoms tailored to the Chinese population.
• The phantoms serve as a foundational resource for researchers to adapt and apply in diverse fields.
• Availability of these phantoms will drive innovation, improve accuracy, and enhance applicability in medical and radiological research.