Series of 4D adult XCAT phantoms for imaging research and dosimetry

Computerized phantoms are finding an increasingly important role in medical imaging research. With the ability to simulate various imaging conditions, they offer a practical means with which to quantitatively evaluate and improve imaging devices and techniques. This is especially true in CT due to the high radiation levels involved with it. Despite their utility, due to the time required to develop them, only a handful of computational models currently exist of varying detail. Most phantoms available are limited to 3D and not capable of modeling patient motion. We have previously developed a technique to rapidly create highly detailed 4D extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantoms based on patient CT data [1]. In this study, we utilize this technique to generate 58 new adult XCAT phantoms to be added to our growing library of virtual patients available for imaging research. These computerized patients provide a valuable tool for investigating imaging devices and the effects of anatomy and motion in imaging. They also provide the essential tools to investigate patient-specific dose estimation and optimization for adults undergoing CT procedures.