Applications of additive manufacturing techniques to the development of computed tomography phantoms

• Grant number: 22/11457-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 28, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Paulo Roberto Costa
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto Costa
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física (IF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alessandra Tomal ; Audrew Frimaio ; Cinthia Denise Ortega ; Denise Yanikian Nersissian ; Elisabeth Mateus Yoshimura ; Eloisa Maria Mello Santiago Gebrim ; Gisell Ruiz Boiset ; Marcelo Knorich Zuffo ; Marcio Valente Yamada Sawamura

Abstract

In the last two decades, X-ray computed tomography (CT) has become one of the most important diagnostic imaging methods. The efficiency of the CT technique has increased its popularity around the world. Thus, the development of global dose assessments and procedural optimizations are important tasks. Recent works have established important associations between Figures of Merit (FOM's) and observer models, allowing the evaluation of the relationship between quantitative image quality from a physical point of view, correlating metrics, parameters and measurable quantities or those evaluated from mathematical models and the subjective or clinical quality, associated with the perception of observers. However, the practical implementations of these models can only be carried out with the development and validation of phantoms built with adequate internal structures and materials that allow evaluation of these adequate physical and observational FOMs. The construction of phantoms with these properties, using additive manufacturing and machining techniques, in addition to their validation, are central proposals of this project. Furthermore, the project proposes to correlate the results of the FOMs with qualitative observations to find methods for optimizing clinical procedures that maximize the quality of the images, using adequate radiation doses, compatible with the corresponding DRLs. These problems are important to be addressed, since there are still no standardized and validated methods that associate quality metrics and dosimetrics, regularly evaluated by quality control teams, with the subjective interpretation of the images. This association will allow the establishment of effective strategies to optimize clinical procedures in CT. (AU)

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BOISET, GISELL R.; MORATTA, RAPHAEL; YOSHIMURA, ELISABETH M.; COSTA, PAULO R.. TEMPy: a toolkit for the modeling of weighted tissue equivalent material in diagnostic imaging. Physics in Medicine and Biology, v. 69, n. 15, p. 10-pg., 2024-08-07. (21/14688-0, 22/11457-0, 18/05982-0, 20/04867-2)

COSTA, PAULO R.; PIMENTA, ELSA B.; OOSTVEEN, LUUK J.; SECHOPOULOS, IOANNIS. Comparative evaluation of noise texture and images of a synthetic lung nodule using energy-integrating and photon-counting CT. MEDICAL IMAGING 2025: PHYSICS OF MEDICAL IMAGING, PT 1, v. 13405, p. 5-pg., 2025-01-01. (23/03945-8, 18/05982-0, 21/14688-0, 22/11457-0)

PIMENTA, ELSA B.; COSTA, PAULO R.. Model observers and detectability index in x-ray imaging: historical review, applications and future trends. Physics in Medicine and Biology, v. 70, n. 7, p. 20-pg., 2025-04-06. (23/03945-8, 18/05982-0, 22/11457-0)

COSTA, PAULO ROBERTO; CASTRO, JULLIANNA CRISTINA DE OLIVEIRA; NUNES, ISABELLA PAZIAM FERNANDES; NERSISSIAN, DENISE YANIKIAN; SAWAMURA, MARCIO YAMADA; LEAO FILHO, HILTON; TOMAL, ALESSANDRA. Typical values statistical analysis for adult chest and abdomen-pelvis CT examinations. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, v. 221, p. 9-pg., 2024-04-06. (21/08923-7, 22/11457-0, 18/05982-0)

COSTA, PAULO R.; PIMENTA, ELSA B.; OOSTVEEN, LUUK J.; BOISET, GISELL R.; MOURA, RAISSA A. S.; SECHOPOULOS, IOANNIS. Lung nodule volumetry accuracy and precision on energy-integrating and CdZnTe photon-counting CT technologies. MEDICAL IMAGING 2025: PHYSICS OF MEDICAL IMAGING, PT 1, v. 13405, p. 5-pg., 2025-01-01. (23/03945-8, 18/05982-0, 21/14688-0, 22/11457-0)

SILVA, MONIQUE F.; CAIXETA, ANA L. O.; SOUZA, SAMARA P.; COSTA, PAULO R.; SANTOS, WILLIAM S.; NEVES, LUCIO P.; PERINI, ANA P.. A dosimetric study of occupational exposure during computed tomography procedures. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, v. 218, p. 9-pg., 2024-02-12. (22/11457-0, 18/05982-0)