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Development of a phantom to simulate a wide range of body sizes

Publication ,  Journal Article
Lokitz, SJ; Wilson, JM; Turkington, TG
Published in: IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record
December 1, 2007

X-ray image quality is highly dependent on object size. Diagnostic image quality can be maintained while controlling dose to a patient with tube current modulation schemes. For PET attenuation correction, much lower requirements are placed on CT image quality, but the minimum technique is still likely to be body size dependent. To investigate tube current modulation and non-diagnostic CT image quality effects on PET attenuation correction, and to aid in the development of new body-size dependent CT protocols for CT and PET/CT, we have developed a water-equivalent phantom that simulates a wide range of body sizes. Design criteria for the phantom include cross-sectional dimensions, shape, taper rate and material. Cross sectional dimensions and shape were desired to closely resemble different sized human torsos. Taper rate was important to achieve a smooth edge to reduce edge artifacts and to prevent partial volume effects. The phantom material needed to be easily machined, but still be tissue equivalent for CT imaging. The finished phantom was made of cast acrylic. Twelve one-inch plates of acrylic were machined into ovals with continuously tapered edges. After fabrication, the plates were stacked and secured together. The tolerance between plate diameters is less than 1.0 mm. The final dimensions are 12.3 × 22.4 cm at the small end and 38.8 × 49.0 cm at the large end. The phantom has an overall length of 29.0 cm and a mass of 23.2 kg. Initial results from this phantom include evaluation of image quality when using tube current modulation and evaluation of low-dose CT techniques for accuracy in PET attenuation correction. © 2007 IEEE.

Duke Scholars

Published In

IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record

DOI

ISSN

1095-7863

Publication Date

December 1, 2007

Volume

5

Start / End Page

3713 / 3717
 

Citation

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Lokitz, S. J., Wilson, J. M., & Turkington, T. G. (2007). Development of a phantom to simulate a wide range of body sizes. IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record, 5, 3713–3717. https://doi.org/10.1109/NSSMIC.2007.4436928
Lokitz, S. J., J. M. Wilson, and T. G. Turkington. “Development of a phantom to simulate a wide range of body sizes.” IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record 5 (December 1, 2007): 3713–17. https://doi.org/10.1109/NSSMIC.2007.4436928.
Lokitz SJ, Wilson JM, Turkington TG. Development of a phantom to simulate a wide range of body sizes. IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record. 2007 Dec 1;5:3713–7.
Lokitz, S. J., et al. “Development of a phantom to simulate a wide range of body sizes.” IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record, vol. 5, Dec. 2007, pp. 3713–17. Scopus, doi:10.1109/NSSMIC.2007.4436928.
Lokitz SJ, Wilson JM, Turkington TG. Development of a phantom to simulate a wide range of body sizes. IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record. 2007 Dec 1;5:3713–3717.

Published In

IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium Conference Record

DOI

ISSN

1095-7863

Publication Date

December 1, 2007

Volume

5

Start / End Page

3713 / 3717