Characterization of 3-Dimensional Printing and Casting Materials for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phantoms at 3 T

Published

September 15, 2020

Author(s)

Bryan E. Yunker, Karl Stupic, J. L. Wagner, S Huddle, R Shandas, R. F. Weir, Stephen E. Russek, Katy Keenan

Abstract

Imaging phantoms are used to calibrate and validate the performance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. Many new materials have been developed for additive manufacturing (three-dimensional [3D] printing) processes that may be useful in the direct printing or casting of dimensionally accurate, anatomically accurate, patient-specific, and/or biomimetic MRI phantoms. The T1, T2, and T2* spin relaxation times of polymer samples were tested to discover materials for use as tissue mimics and structures in MRI phantoms. This study included a cohort of polymer compounds that was tested in cured form. The cohort consisted of 101 standardized polymer samples fabricated from: two-part silicones and polyurethanes used in commercial casting processes; one-part optically cured polyurethanes used in 3D printing; and fused deposition thermoplastics used in 3D printing. The testing was performed at 3 T using inversion recovery, spin echo, and gradient echo sequences for T1, T2, and T2*, respectively. T1, T2, and T2* values were plotted with error bars to allow the reader to assess how well a polymer matches a tissue for a specific application. A correlation was performed between T1, T2 , T2* values and material density, elongation, tensile strength, and hardness. Two silicones, SI_XP-643 and SI_P-45, may be usable mimics for reported liver values; one silicone, SI_XP-643, may be a useful mimic for muscle; one silicone, SI_XP-738, may be a useful mimic for white matter; and four silicones, SI_P-15, SI_GI-1000, SI_GI-1040, and SI_GI-1110, may be usable mimics for spinal cord. Elongation correlated to T2 (p = 0.0007), tensile strength correlated to T1 (p = 0.002), T2 (p = 0.0003), and T2* (p = 0.003). The 80 samples not providing measurable signal with T1, T2, T2* relaxation values too short to measure with the standard sequences, may be useful for MRI-invisible fixturing and medical devices at 3 T.

Citation

Journal of Research (NIST JRES) -

Volume

125

NIST Pub Series

Journal of Research (NIST JRES)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.125.028

Local Download

Keywords

3D printing, medical imaging, MRI, phantom, polymer

Citation

Yunker, B. , Stupic, K. , Wagner, J. , Huddle, S. , Shandas, R. , Weir, R. , Russek, S. and Keenan, K. (2020), Characterization of 3-Dimensional Printing and Casting Materials for use in Magnetic Resonance Imaging Phantoms at 3 T, Journal of Research (NIST JRES), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/jres.125.028, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=924824 (Accessed April 25, 2024)