Evaluation of 3D printed contrast detail phantoms for mammography quality assurance

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingPaper in conference proceedingpeer-review

Abstract

Objects created by 3D printers are increasingly used in various medical applications. Today, affordable 3D printers, using Fused Deposition Modeling are widely available. In this project, a commercially available 3D printer was used to replicate a conventional radiographic contrast detail phantom. Printing materials were selected by comparing their x-ray attenuation properties. Two replicas were printed using polylactic acid, with different filling patterns. The printed phantoms were imaged by a clinical mammography system, using automatic exposure control. Phantom images were visually and quantitively compared to images of the corresponding conventional contrast detail phantom. Visual scoring of the contrast detail elements was performed by a medical physics student. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was calculated for each phantom element. The diameter and thickness of the smallest visible phantom object were 0.44 mm and 0.09 mm, respectively, for both filling patterns. For the conventional phantom, the diameter and thickness of the smallest visible object were 0.31 mm and 0.09 mm. Visual inspection of printed phantoms revealed some linear artefacts. These artefacts were however not visible on mammographic projections. Quantitively, average CNR of printed phantom objects followed the same trend with an increase of average CNR with increasing disk height. However, there is a limitation of detail objects with disk diameters below 1.25 mm, caused by the available nozzle size. Based upon the encouraging results, future work will explore the use of different materials and smaller nozzle diameters.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication16th International Workshop on Breast Imaging, IWBI 2022
EditorsHilde Bosmans, Nicholas Marshall, Chantal Van Ongeval
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510655843
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022
Event16th International Workshop on Breast Imaging, IWBI 2022 - Leuven, Belgium
Duration: 2022 May 222022 May 25

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12286
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

Conference16th International Workshop on Breast Imaging, IWBI 2022
Country/TerritoryBelgium
CityLeuven
Period2022/05/222022/05/25

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Medical Image Processing
  • Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging

Free keywords

  • 3D printing
  • contrast detail phantom
  • contrast-tonoise ratio
  • Mammography quality assurance
  • visual analysis

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