High-fidelity anatomical phantoms for MRI practical training.

Introduction: Practical MRI training is essential for bridging the gap between complex theoretical knowledge and clinical applications. Traditional phantoms used in MRI, such as ACR phantoms, are valuable for illustrating system characterization methods but often lack the anatomical complexity required for realistic training. This study presents the development of high-fidelity anatomical phantoms designed specifically for practical MRI training. These phantoms replicate key anatomical structures and tissue contrasts of the head, offering a more realistic training experience for healthcare students and medical imaging staff (radiologists, physicists, radiographers).

Materials And Methods: We focused on the head region, creating phantoms from reference MRI T1-weighted slices and using computer-aided design (CAD) software to design detailed anatomical structures. These phantoms were 3D printed and filled with tissue-mimicking gels. MRI acquisitions were performed using a 1.5T clinical MRI system.

Results: The resulting images demonstrated high anatomical fidelity and realistic MRI tissue contrasts. The phantoms allow for effective demonstration of the impact of parameter modifications on MRI images and aid in anatomical structure recognition.

Conclusion: While technical improvements are needed to ensure long-term stability and accurate relaxometric properties, these phantoms hold significant potential for enhancing MRI education and sequences evaluations. The approach can be extended to other anatomical regions, further supporting the training and optimization of MRI sequences.