An update on computational anthropomorphic anatomical models

Abstract

The prevalent availability of high-performance computing coupled with validated computerized simulation platforms as open-source packages have motivated progress in the development of realistic anthropomorphic computational models of the human anatomy. The main application of these advanced tools focused on imaging physics and computational internal/external radiation dosimetry research. This paper provides an updated review of state-of-the-art developments and recent advances in the design of sophisticated computational models of the human anatomy with a particular focus on their use in radiation dosimetry calculations. The consolidation of flexible and realistic computational models with biological data and accurate radiation transport modeling tools enables the capability to produce dosimetric data reflecting actual setup in clinical setting. These simulation methodologies and results are helpful resources for the medical physics and medical imaging communities and are expected to impact the fields of medical imaging and dosimetry calculations profoundly.

Keywords: Human anatomy; Monte Carlo simulation; anthropomorphic models; computational models; medical imaging.

Figure 1.

The evolution of computational phantoms from simple macro-bodies to detailed personalized models. Adapted with permission from.

Figure 2.

The reference BREP Iranian computational phantoms. Left panel: Male/female adult reference computational phantoms. Right-top panel: The segmented structural/anatomical details and, Right-bottom panel: The reference pregnant phantom with fetus model at three gestation periods. Courtesy of Dr Miri and Dr Rafat, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

Figure 3.

Series of adult computational phantoms (males and females) developed based on CT images of healthy Iranian population. The distribution of anthropomorphic indices, height and weight (top panel), along with the structural details of the developed computational models (left-bottom panel) are shown. As an example, the anatomical deviations of the thyroid gland in this population is illustrated (right-bottom panel). Courtesy of Dr Miri and Dr Rafat, Ferdowsi University of Iran.

Figure 4.

Adult male and female mesh-type ICRP reference computational phantoms. Micron-scale radiosensitive regions of major organs and tissues are visualized on the left and right sides of the phantoms. Reprinted with permission from.

Figure 5.

Illustration of the deep learning pipeline used to automatically generate pregnant computational phantoms.

Figure 6.

The pipeline for automated construction of personalized computational phantoms. Reprinted with permission from.