Tissue-equivalence of 3D-printed plastics for medical phantoms in radiology

Abstract

The paper describes measurement of the linear attenuation coefficients for 59.5 keV, 122.0 keV and 344.5 keV photons and Hounsfield units for 80 kVp and 120 kVp computed tomography imaging of a large set of commercially 3D-printed test samples of different plastic materials aiming to provide a basis for a selection of a suitable and available material for 3D printing of medical phantoms used in radiology, and specifically for imaging in targeted radionuclide therapy. The results were compared to ICRU44 skeletal muscle and adipose tissues. The results also showed large differences between photon attenuation properties of the same type of plastic material printed by different companies on different printers using filaments from different manufacturers. As a result, it is highly recommended to print a medical phantom on the same printer, with the same settings, and with the same filament as the test sample.