Radiopaque 3D Printing Filament for Human Equivalent Bone Phantoms
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current human equivalent bones for medical imaging education lack materials with CT numbers and properties similar to human bones, making it difficult to replicate the color, texture, and CT number components of real human bones for radiographic imaging education.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printing filament is developed by mixing and drying barium sulfate with thermoplastic resin, followed by melt-extrusion and cooling to create a filament with specific gravities suitable for printing human equivalent bones that match the CT numbers of human bones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If existing human equivalent bones are used for CT education, then radiation exposure is reduced, but the material properties and CT numbers do not match human bones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameters by incorporating barium sulfate particles into the filament composition to adjust the CT number to match human bone density (1000-1500 HU range), while maintaining the educational purpose of reducing radiation exposure through phantom imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining thermoplastic resin with barium sulfate particles to create a filament that simultaneously provides the structural properties needed for 3D printing and the radiopaque properties required to simulate human bone CT characteristics
2Manufacturing precision
If barium sulfate is mixed with thermoplastic resin to create radiopaque filament, then CT number accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing barium sulfate particles with thermoplastic resin in specific ratios before extrusion, allowing the radiopaque properties to be built into the filament during manufacturing rather than requiring post-processing or complex assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the concentration of barium sulfate particles in the filament by adjusting mixing ratios and extrusion parameters, enabling precise control over the final CT number while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The filament allows for the creation of human equivalent bones with CT numbers compatible with both cancellous and cortical bone, enabling stable and radiation-free computed tomography (CT) medical imaging examination and education.
Implementation Method 1
When exposed to X-rays, the differences in absorption and penetration due to the density variations show the linear attenuation coefficient
Implementation Method 2
melt-extruding, cooling and winding the obtained chips to create a filament
Implementation Method 3
melt-extruding, cooling and winding the obtained chips to create a filament
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a 3D printing filament for medical imaging educational human equivalent bones with radiopaque that is most similar to human bones, which allows stable and radiation-free computed tomography (CT) medical imaging examination and education using the computed tomography (CT) for medical images by mixing and drying barium sulfate with thermoplastic resin to obtain chips, melt-extruding, cooling and winding the obtained chips create to a filament, and manufacturing human equivalent bones through 3D printing of the wound filament.