Super Phantoms: advanced models for testing medical imaging technologies

TL;DR

This paper introduces super phantoms, advanced models that better replicate tissue properties for testing medical imaging, enabling earlier and more effective development of imaging technologies.

Contribution

It presents the concept of super phantoms, including their types and potential to improve medical imaging testing before in-vivo studies.

Findings

Super phantoms can be computer models, physical objects, or ex-vivo organs.

They enable iterative testing and improvements in imaging techniques.

Centralized facilities could support widespread adoption of super phantoms.

Abstract

Phantoms are test objects used for initial testing and optimization of medical imaging techniques, but these rarely capture the complex properties of the tissue. Here we introduce super phantoms, that surpass standard phantoms being able to replicate complex anatomic and functional imaging properties of tissues and organs. These super phantoms can be computer models, inanimate physical objects, or ex-vivo organs. Testing on these super phantoms, will enable iterative improvements well before in-vivo studies, fostering innovation. We illustrate super phantom examples, address development challenges, and envision centralized facilities supporting multiple institutions in applying these models for medical advancements.