NIST, in collaboration with the NIH, has launched a “phantom lending library” to help improve the accuracy and consistency of MRI scans. These phantoms are special calibration tools filled with materials that mimic human tissues. They help ensure that MRI machines produce reliable, quantitative images that can be compared across different systems and over time. This is especially important for medical research and clinical trials, where precise measurements are needed to track disease progression or treatment effectiveness.
The library provides access to a wide range of phantoms designed for different body parts and imaging needs, such as brain, breast, heart, and knee imaging. These phantoms help measure important factors like image quality, signal strength, and tissue properties. The service is open to researchers, hospitals, and device developers, and users can both borrow and contribute phantoms. NIST is also working on expanding the library to include phantoms that can be used with multiple imaging technologies, like MRI, CT, and ultrasound. This effort supports the growing need for standardized, reliable medical imaging across the healthcare industry.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2022/05/measuring-phantom-library
Keywords: MRI, phantoms, calibration
