CT-based 3D-printed coronary artery phantom for imaging projection education.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Anatomical Modeling

Background:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major global health concern.
• Catheterization with real-time fluoroscopy is the standard for coronary artery imaging.
• There is a need for realistic training tools for invasive coronary angiography.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create an anatomically accurate cardiac and coronary artery phantom.
• To utilize computed tomography (CT) image segmentation and 3D printing for phantom development.
• To provide a tool for practicing image projections in invasive coronary angiography.

Main Methods:

• Material selection based on CT attenuation coefficients similar to heart muscle.
• 3D segmentation of heart anatomy using CT scans and 3D Slicer software.
• 3D printing of the heart phantom, followed by manual drawing of coronary arteries using a tungsten-UV gel mixture.

Main Results:

• The developed phantom accurately represents the anatomical course of the left and right coronary arteries.
• Fluoroscopic images of the phantom closely matched reference coronary angiograms.
• The phantom serves as a validated anatomical model.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing enables the creation of accurate cardiac and coronary artery phantoms.
• These phantoms are effective teaching tools for radiographers in fluoroscopic coronary angiography.
• The use of such phantoms can lead to faster and safer training and practice.