Thyroid Phantom Segmented Design for Anatomical Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thyroid phantoms are complex to manufacture and use, lacking anatomical realism, which hinders accurate calibration measurements in anthroporadiometry and other medical applications.
Innovation Solution
A thyroid phantom comprising two separately manufactured parts that can be easily assembled and filled with a solution, featuring a realistic anatomical imprint and sealing mechanisms, allowing for precise calibration and simulation of different human categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If thyroid phantoms are manufactured using traditional methods, then they can provide calibration measurements, but they are complex to manufacture and lack anatomical realism
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom body is divided into two separate parts (first part and second part) that are manufactured independently and then assembled. This segmentation allows each part to be produced using standard 3D printing processes without requiring complex multi-material printing, while still achieving anatomical realism through the molded thyroid imprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The thyroid phantom incorporates a molded imprint that copies the anatomical shape and surface features of a real thyroid gland. This copying approach achieves anatomical realism by reproducing the external characteristics of the thyroid without requiring complex internal structures or materials.
2Reliability
If thyroid phantoms use hermetic sealing, then they can contain radioactive solutions, but they are difficult to fill and clean
Solution Approach 1:
The filling channel is pre-formed as an integrated feature of the phantom body during 3D printing, with threading already included. This preliminary action eliminates the need for post-manufacturing modifications and allows direct filling through the pre-configured channel, maintaining hermetic sealing while simplifying the filling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling channel acts as an intermediary structure that provides controlled access to the internal cavity. It enables the introduction of radioactive solutions and facilitates cleaning operations while maintaining the hermetic seal of the phantom body, solving the contradiction between sealing integrity and operational ease.
3Device complexity
If thyroid phantoms are made as single integrated pieces, then they are structurally simple, but they cannot be easily filled with solutions or disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The phantom is segmented into two separate body parts that can be easily assembled and disassembled. This segmentation maintains structural simplicity by using basic geometric forms for each part while enabling easy filling through the integrated channel and facilitating disassembly for maintenance or reuse.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention concerns a thyroid phantom (1), the phantom comprising a body (2) comprising at least two parts (3, 4) defining between them an imprint (7) of a thyroid and means for attaching the two parts together in order to close the imprint in a sealed manner, the phantom further comprising means for filling the imprint with a solution, said filling means comprising at least one channel (19, 20) extending from the outside of the body into the imprint and means for temporarily symmetrically plugging said channel. The invention also concerns a method for producing such a thyroid phantom, a family comprising a plurality of such thyroid phantoms corresponding to different categories of human beings, an overall phantom comprising one such thyroid phantom as well as a family comprising a plurality of overall phantoms.