Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers presented results of a joint research effort that shows the accuracy of solutions offered by Stratasys to enable 3D-printed medical imaging phantoms to replicate human anatomy.

The collaborative effort use Stratasys’ RadioMatrix materials and Digital Anatomy tech with Siemens Healthineers’ advanced algorithms. This, according to the duo, significantly improves quality of complex anatomy medical imaging phantoms so surgeons, researchers, and educators can replace simplistic anatomical phantom models for pre-surgery planning and education.

The duo also said the research shows how anatomically accurate, patient-specific, 3D-printed phantoms are scalable, cost-effective, and efficient to develop new CT scan algorithms and boost diagnostic precision. Using these models for radiology opens the door to patient-specific, anatomical models that accurately replicate anatomy and pathologies.

With the ability to produce repeatable data sets on the same anatomy, these phantoms eliminate ethical and variability challenges associated with human scans and/or usage of cadavers. The ultra-realistic phantoms also accelerate development of imaging algorithms, driving materials innovation and enabling exploration of new clinical and academic applications.

“The integration of 3D-printing solutions to create patient-realistic CT phantoms, combined with the Digital Anatomy technology from Stratasys, represents a significant innovation in the field of computed tomography,” said Jesús Fernández Léon, Head of Computed Tomography Product & Clinical Marketing at Siemens Healthineers. “This cooperation not only enhances our ability to assess and verify the performance of modern CT systems but also ensures that our algorithms can rely on a highly realistic depiction of human anatomy. By working together, we are setting new standards in medical imaging.”

By utilization of these kind of 3D-printed phantoms, the partners believe hospitals and imaging centers can enhance CT scanners’ calibration and performance.

“The collaboration between Stratasys and Siemens Healthineers will pave the way for innovations that enhance imaging precision, improve training efficiency, and reduce reliance on cadavers,” said Erez Ben Zvi, VP of Healthcare at Stratasys. “This is a game-changer for the medical community. We believe this work can speed up the advancement of medicine and improve patient outcomes.”