German Health Firm Enlists Israeli 3D Printer To Boost CT Imaging

German healthcare company Siemens Healthineers has teamed up with leading Israeli 3D printing firm Stratasys to improve computed tomography (CT) imaging. 

Stratasys will produce tailored CT phantoms – specialized models simulating areas of the human body that are used to ensure correct functioning of CT scanners and to allow medical practitioners to assess the radiation dose and image quality of the machines. 

The project will use Stratasys’ RadioMatrix material, which is used to 3D print medical models that are visible in X-ray images and CT scans. 

The Rehovot-based company will first manufacture 3D printed phantoms for smaller-scale anatomies of the head and neck region, eventually progressing to the production of larger and more complex anatomies. 

The first phase of the project will culminate in the 3D printing of a heart and an entire human torso model that can be accurately scanned with X-ray and CT.

The two companies believe that the project will allow device manufacturers and academic institutions to replace human cadavers with 3D printed structures, in certain cases.

“The current limitations of imaging phantoms have been a longstanding challenge for the radiology community,” said Erez Ben Zvi, Vice President Medical at Stratasys.

“This partnership with Siemens Healthineers will enable us to jointly explore the vast possibilities of our radiopaque materials and 3D printing technologies to overcome these barriers.”