Development of a cost-effective 3D-printed MRI phantom for enhanced teaching of system performance and image quality concepts

Purposes: This research highlights the need for affordable phantoms for MRI education. Current options are either expensive or limited. A phantom, easy to manufacture and distribute, is proposed to demonstrate various pedagogical concepts, aiding students in understanding MRI image quality concepts.

Methods: We designed a cylindrical MRI phantom that comprises sections that can be filled with chosen liquids and gels. The dimensions were chosen to fit most consumer-grade 3D printers, facilitating widespread dissemination. It includes five modular sections for evaluating spatial resolution, geometrical accuracy, slice thickness accuracy, homogeneity, and contrast.

Results: The modular cylindrical MRI phantom was successfully fabricated. Each section of the phantom was tested to ensure it met the specified pedagogical needs. The spatial resolution section provided clear images for evaluating fine details. The geometrical accuracy section allowed for precise measurement of distortions. The slice thickness accuracy section confirmed the consistency of slice thickness across different MRI sequences. The homogeneity section demonstrated uniform signal distribution, and the contrast section effectively displayed varying contrast levels.

Conclusions: This modular MRI phantom offers a cost-effective tool for educational purposes in MRI. Its design enables educators to demonstrate multiple pedagogical scenarios with a single object. The phantom's compatibility with consumer-grade 3D printers and its modularity makes it accessible and adaptable to various educational settings. Future work could explore further customization and enhancement of the phantom to cover additional educational needs. This tool represents a significant step toward improving MRI education and training by providing a practical, hands-on learning experience.