DE102022119328A1 - Phantom of a human body part - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a phantom of a human body part. The phantom has a number of spinal segments, each comprising a) a vertebral attachment element, and b) a vertebral replica of a vertebra of the human spine and/or a skin support structure. The vertebral replica and/or the skin support structure are connected to the vertebral fastening element of the spinal segment of the number of spinal segments. The phantom further comprises a spinal frame that is adapted to a predetermined spinal profile of the human spine and has a number of spinal segment holding structures, each of which is releasably connected to the vertebral fastening element of a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments. The spinal segment holding structures of the spinal frame are arranged and designed in such a way that the vertebral replicas of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame reproduce at least a section of the human spine with the predetermined spinal profile, and/or the skin support structures of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame have a position adapted to the predetermined spinal profile Recreate the surface of the skin.

Description

The invention relates to a phantom of a human body part, in particular a human torso. The invention further relates to a method for producing a phantom of a human body part, in particular a human torso. The phantom can in particular be used to generate an image based on the surface measurement, for example a raster stereography image or a depth camera image, an X-ray image and/or a computer tomography image.

A well-known phantom for spinal analysis, also called a simulation phantom or X-ray phantom, is typically a lifelike replica of a human torso made of a base body in which simulated body parts (bones and/or organs) are embedded. The simulated body parts can be made visible using an imaging method, in particular using x-rays.

Phantoms are primarily used in experimental dosimetry to determine radiation exposure. The most common uses of phantoms also include training purposes, such as training in the use of an X-ray machine and training in the evaluation of X-ray images. A phantom is also used to adjust an X-ray machine or to check the image quality of X-ray images generated. A phantom is used in particular instead of a test subject or a patient in order not to expose them to unnecessary radiation.

The bone structure of currently used X-ray phantoms often consists of either a real human skeleton or a cast of a real human skeleton. The base body and thus its external shape are usually created by casting the skeletal structure in a material that serves to simulate the radiological tissue properties.

Alternative approaches include the production of an application-specific X-ray phantom, particularly with the help of additive manufacturing processes. For example, describe R. Tino, et al., in the article “A Systematic Review on 3D-Printed Imaging and Dosimetry Phantoms in Radiation Therapy”, Technology in cancer research & treatment 2019; 18: 1533033819870208 , the production of patient-specific X-ray phantoms using additive manufacturing.

However, known phantoms are typically manufactured for a specific pathology, with a focus on ensuring that the radiological tissue properties can be correctly represented in a radiological image. A separate complete phantom must then be created for each pathology. In addition, little emphasis is often placed on an anatomically correct surface structure of the skin, so that known phantoms are generally not suitable for spinal and posture analysis from surface measurements, such as raster stereography.

The invention is based on the object of providing an improved or at least alternative phantom. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of specifying an improved or at least alternative method for producing a phantom of a human body part. The phantom should preferably have a modular structure so that its components can be exchanged. The phantom should preferably be able to be manufactured in such a way that it is adapted to a given spinal profile. It should preferably also be possible with the phantom to be able to represent a skin surface resulting from the specified spine profile in addition to a spine adapted to the specified spine profile.

With regard to the phantom, the task is solved by a phantom with the features defined in claim 1. Advantageous further developments of the phantom can be found in the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a phantom of a human body part is proposed which has a number of spinal segments and a spinal frame.

A spinal segment of the number of spinal segments has a vertebral attachment element and a body part element arranged on the vertebral attachment element. The spine frame is adapted to a predetermined spine profile of the human spine and has a number of spine segment holding structures, each of which is releasably connected to the vertebral fastening element of a spine segment of the number of spine segments.

The spinal segment holding structures of the spinal frame are arranged and designed in such a way that the body part elements of the spinal segments connected to the spinal segment holding structures are aligned in a manner adapted to the predetermined spinal profile.

The spine frame and the spine segments are separate elements that are in particular detachably connected to one another. The spinal frame is used to attach and align the spinal segments. In particular, the spine frame specifies the alignment of the spine segments to one another in order to set the predetermined spine profile in the phantom. This is made possible by the fact that the spine frame is adapted to a predetermined spine profile of the human spine and the spine segment holding structures are arranged in the spine frame in such a way that when the spine segments are connected to the spine frame, the spine segments and in particular their body part elements align themselves according to the predetermined spine profile . The spine segments and in particular their body part elements are then arranged according to the spine profile specified for the spine frame. The spine profile specified for the spine frame is therefore transferred from the spine frame to the spine segments and their body part elements. Any spine profile of a healthy (physiological) or diseased (pathological) spine can be specified for the spine frame, so that the spine segments are arranged according to a healthy spine or according to a spine with a specific clinical picture. The spinal segments can also be removed from the spinal frame and attached to another spinal frame formed according to a different predetermined spinal profile.

The Phantom is based on the fundamental insight that it is possible to provide a spinal frame that is adapted to a given spinal profile. The spine frame has spine segment holding structures that are aligned to the predetermined spine profile and can thereby transfer the predetermined spine profile to the number of spine segments. The body part element of a spinal segment is also aligned in accordance with the predetermined spinal profile at the respective position of the spinal segment holding structure used. If the number of spinal segments of the phantom are now connected to the spinal segment holding structures by means of their vertebral fastening elements, the spinal segments are each aligned according to the predetermined spinal profile.

The body part element can in particular have a vertebra replica of a vertebra of the human spine and/or a skin support structure that specifies a position of a skin surface, or can be designed as a vertebra replica and/or a skin support structure.

Accordingly, the phantom can be developed in such a way that the body part element has a vertebral replica of a vertebra of the human spine and/or a skin support structure that specifies a position of a skin surface, the vertebral replica and/or the skin support structure being connected to the vertebral fastening element of the spinal segment of the number of spinal segments are.

• - die Wirbelnachbildungen der mit dem Wirbelsäulengestell verbundenen Wirbelsäulensegmente wenigstens einen Abschnitt der menschlichen Wirbelsäule mit dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil nachbilden, und/oder
• - die Hautstützstrukturen der mit dem Wirbelsäulengestell verbundenen Wirbelsäulensegmente eine an das vorgegebene Wirbelsäulenprofil angepasste Lage einer Hautoberfläche nachbilden. Vorzugsweise bilden die Wirbelnachbildungen der Anzahl Wirbelsäulensegmente einen Abschnitt der Wirbelsäule gemäß dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil nach und/oder die Hautstützstrukturen bilden eine Lage einer Hautoberfläche gemäß dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil nach.

It is preferred that the body part elements of several spinal segments have a vertebra replica of a vertebra of the human spine and/or a skin support structure or are designed as a vertebra replica and/or a skin support structure, and the

• - the vertebral replicas of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame reproduce at least a section of the human spine with the predetermined spinal profile, and/or
• - the skin support structures of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame reproduce a position of a skin surface that is adapted to the specified spinal profile. Preferably, the vertebral replicas of the number of spinal segments recreate a section of the spinal column according to the predetermined spinal profile and/or the skin support structures recreate a layer of a skin surface according to the predetermined spinal profile.

In the event that the number of spinal segments of the phantom have vertebral replicas, the vertebral replicas also replicate the specified spinal profile, since their orientation and position are predetermined by the spinal segment holding structures and by the shape of the spinal frame. The vertebral replicas represent a section of the simulated spine according to the spinal profile specified for the spinal frame. If the phantom has vertebral replicas, it is particularly suitable for radiological images. The radiological images can in particular be based on a correct alignment of the bone structures according to a given spinal profile.

Alternatively or in addition to vertebral replicas, a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments of the phantom can have skin support structures. The skin support structures replicate the position of a skin surface, which results from the given spinal profile. Through The arrangement of the spine segment holding structures will transfer the spine profile specified for the spine frame to the alignment of the skin support structures, so that the skin support structures also reproduce a position of a skin surface resulting from the specified spine profile.

The position of the skin support structures thus reflects a surface structure of the skin as it results from the given spinal profile. Such a phantom is particularly suitable for creating a three-dimensional image of the back surface, which requires a correct reproduction of the surface structure of the skin depending on a specific spinal profile. A three-dimensional recording of the back surface can be done, for example, using raster stereography. Alternatively, a three-dimensional image of the back surface could be generated, for example, using depth sensors, for example using a depth camera.

If the phantom has both vertebral replicas and skin support structures, the same phantom can be used for both radiological imaging and raster stereographic imaging. The radiological image and the raster stereographic image can be compared with one another in a particularly meaningful way, especially if the position of the phantom is not changed between the radiological image and the raster stereographic image. For example, the radiological image and the raster stereographic image could also be created at the same time.

The vertebral fastening element can accordingly be used as a support structure for a vertebral replica and/or a skin support structure. At the same time, the vertebral fastening element serves to fasten the spinal segment to the spinal frame.

A spinal segment of the number of spinal segments can be a releasable composite of a vertebral fastening element, which can also be referred to as a connector or adapter, and a vertebral replica and/or a skin support structure. For raster stereographic recordings, a spinal segment preferably includes struts for holding the skin support structure, which are integrated into the vertebral fastening element.

For the purposes of this description, a section of the human spine may include parts of the cervical spine, the thoracic spine, the lumbar spine and/or the sacral spine, or even a complete spine. For example, all vertebrae of the human spine could be replicated, with the exception of the first cervical vertebra, i.e. six cervical vertebrae, twelve thoracic vertebrae, and five lumbar vertebrae. A transition between vertebral groups, e.g. a transition from the thoracic vertebrae to the lumbar vertebrae, could also be recreated, so that not all thoracic vertebrae and not all lumbar vertebrae would have to be recreated.

A body part that is modeled by the phantom can in particular include the torso with the spine and optionally the upper arm attachments and neck and head attachments and the pelvis. A predetermined spine profile can be, for example, a physiological, i.e. healthy, spine profile, or a pathological spine profile, e.g. a scoliotic spine profile.

A vertebra replica is preferably a replica of a vertebra that has an integrated adapter for releasably connecting to the vertebra fastening element. A replica can be an exact, lifelike replica or an approximately lifelike replica or even a functional replica. A functional replica could be sufficient, for example, if it only concerns the position of the skin surface. The vertebrae could only be roughly approximated as long as they can be adjusted so that the skin can be reproduced exactly true to life or approximately true to life for the corresponding spinal profile.

The invention is based in particular on the knowledge that the radiological diagnosis and therapy of spinal deformities is carried out conventionally in two dimensions, on the basis of a frontal and a sagittal complete spine image. The transverse plane is not captured in such a bi-planar X-ray image.

Since treatments for spinal deformities, such as scoliosis, involve long-term therapies, patients are often exposed to considerable radiation. As a result, the chance of developing cancer in this patient group is significantly increased. There are already radiation-free diagnostic methods, such as raster stereography. However, raster stereography is generally not yet sophisticated enough to offer a complete replacement for conventional X-ray images.

The previous evaluation and optimization of measurement methods such as raster stereography, which are based on surface measurement, is based on the comparison of raster stereographic images to radiological reference images of the same spine. These image data sets can currently typically be used by Proban for spines with different pathologies studies are generated. However, only medically indicated full-length spinal images are generated for these data sets. A targeted variation of the spine profiles is therefore generally not possible in subject studies. Furthermore, simultaneous recording of the spine using the radiological and raster stereographic measuring systems is currently not possible. Consequently, changes in the spinal profile between images, for example due to differences in posture, are unavoidable.

A major weakness of previous phantom studies is that the currently established phantoms do not offer an individually adjustable spinal profile. Instead, the well-known phantoms usually have a fixed spinal profile that can neither be predefined nor changed. With such phantoms, only radiological images with exactly one profile of the spine can be generated. A separate phantom would be necessary to display different pathologies.

Conventional radiological phantoms are also designed to correctly represent tissue properties in a radiological image. The anatomically correct surface structure of the skin is of secondary importance, so that the known phantoms are usually only partially suitable for measuring methods such as raster stereography, in which the spine and posture analysis is based on the detection of the skin surface.

The invention includes the further finding that, as an alternative to measuring subjects, phantoms could be used to generate the data sets. However, there are generally no application-specific phantoms for raster stereography. Instead, standardized radiological torso models are used, which usually have comparatively high acquisition costs and are only partially suitable for optimizing raster stereography.

Due to the bi-planar character of an X-ray image serving as a reference, transverse parameters such as vertebral rotation can only be roughly estimated. The detection of vertebral rotation using raster stereography is often difficult to optimize. Vertebral rotation is of crucial importance, for example when assessing the progression of scoliotic deformities.

Overall, it can be said that systematic creation of radiological and/or raster stereographic images of various pathological or physiological spinal profiles is currently not possible either through subject studies or through the use of conventional phantoms.

The disadvantages described above can be at least partially overcome with the phantom described here. In particular, the phantom allows a specific spinal deformation to be systematically created. The fact that the spine frame is adapted to a given spinal profile makes it possible, on the one hand, to create a radiological image of a spinal model adapted to the given spine profile. On the other hand, the spine frame adapted to the specified spine profile results in the representation of the surface profile as the position of the skin, so that the creation of raster stereographic images is also possible. A combination of radiological images and raster stereographic images is also possible. Advantageously, the phantom is also parameterized in the transverse plane and thus allows values for transversal parameters to be determined, for example for vertebral rotation, which is generally not possible with conventional phantoms. Accordingly, the phantom is also suitable for optimizing the determination of vertebral rotations using X-ray images and/or methods based on surface measurement such as raster stereography.

Raster stereographic and radiological images can be created with the phantom at the same time, which makes them particularly comparable. In addition, the specified and therefore known spine profile represents a previously unavailable reference parameter. This reference parameter offers additional options, particularly when optimizing the transversal parameters. In particular, the phantom makes it possible to systematically build a database that contains X-ray images and raster stereography images of one or different predetermined spinal profiles, optionally including an aligned pelvic element. Such a database could serve as a basis, for example, for the further optimization of raster stereography and evaluation of X-ray images.

In contrast to conventional phantoms, the phantom enables a specific spinal deformation to be systematically created, in particular with a pelvic alignment resulting from the deformation. In addition, both radiological and raster stereographic images can be created with the phantom. Furthermore, the spine profile and optionally the pelvic alignment can be defined before the images are taken. This favors comparative studies, for example between raster stereography images and X-ray images, since the phantom does not induce any posture-related differences in the comparison images.

In the case of the phantom, it is preferred that the spinal segments are connected to the spinal frame in such a way that the vertebral replica of the respective vertebral segment is aligned in accordance with a lateral vertebral inclination, sagittal vertebral inclination, lateral lateral deviation, sagittal lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, and vertebral height resulting from the specified spinal profile. For example, a local vortex coordinate system can be defined for each vertebra simulation, in which the inclinations are specified. In particular, by aligning the vertebral replicas predetermined by the spinal frame, a scoliosis can be simulated, which is characterized by a lateral deviation of the spine from the longitudinal axis with rotation of the vertebrae about the longitudinal axis and torsion of the vertebral bodies, sometimes accompanied by structural deformation of the vertebral bodies. It is also possible to recreate a physiological spine that does not show any deformation in the frontal plane that is typical of scoliosis. In the case of a physiological spinal profile, the vertebrae show neither lateral deviations nor lateral vertebral inclinations. The vertebral rotation is also zero. The sagittal plane is characterized by the characteristic, physiological spinal curvatures.

The phantom can be further developed in such a way that the skin support structures are covered with a skin cover, so that the skin cover reproduces a position of the skin surface depending on the given spinal profile. The phantom is then particularly suitable for use in methods based on surface measurement, such as raster stereography. In particular, the skin cover can be used to recreate a surface profile of the back of a human body resulting from the given spine profile. The skin cover allows landmarks to be recreated, particularly the vertebral prominens, the right lumbar pit, the left lumbar pit and the sacral point. The reproduction of landmarks is particularly important for the generation of a raster stereographic image and a reconstruction of the spine based on it. Thanks to the skin support structures and the skin cover, the skin surface at the level of each vertebral replica can be approximated individually and according to the specified spinal profile.

It can be advantageous if a skin holding means is arranged on at least one skin support structure, which fixes the skin cover relative to the skin support structure. For example, the skin holding means can have barbs that are releasably connected to the skin cover. It is preferred, for example, if the skin cover is at least partially formed from a natural or synthetic textile, for example from a T-shirt fabric. The skin cover made of the textile and the barbs of the skin holding means can preferably be connected to one another using a Velcro fastener. Through the skin holding means, the skin cover can be attached to the skin support structures in particular tightly and without wrinkles, so that it is possible to reproduce the position of the skin particularly comparatively precisely and depending on the predetermined spinal profile.

The skin support structure of a spinal segment of the phantom may be connected to the vertebral attachment member of the spinal segment by a number of struts. The vertebral attachment element serves as a support structure for the skin support structure, and holds the skin support structure by means of the struts.

The phantom can have a pelvic element connected to the spinal frame, which is designed to simulate a pelvis of the human body. The pelvic element can be connected to the spinal frame by means of a pelvic adapter. Preferably, the pelvic element has a number of buttock shaping structures which are designed and arranged to prescribe a position of a buttock surface relative to the pelvic element. In addition to the skin surface of the torso specified by the vertebral replicas, the buttock surface can also be reproduced. A separate pelvic coordinate system can be used to align the pelvis according to the specified spinal profile. The basin element can provide additional landmarks and use them in a raster stereographic recording. For modeling the buttock surface of the pelvis, a correct reconstruction of the landmarks, which are recorded in a raster stereographic examination, is particularly important. These are, on the one hand, the left and right lumbar dimples and, on the other hand, the base of the anal groove (Latin rima ani). The dimples serve as a landmark for the position of the posterior bony prominences (PSIS) of the pelvis in a simulation model.

In the phantom, both the pelvic element and the spinal frame are oriented with respect to a common spatial coordinate system (RKS) and are therefore aligned in space and with each other. The pelvic element is determined using position-independent pelvic parameters (incidence angle) and position-dependent pelvic parameters (sagittal pelvic tilt, pelvic elevation, sagittal pelvic deviation, lateral pelvic deviation, transverse pelvic deviation and pelvic rotation). The pelvic element thus forms the pelvis relative to the section of the human spine formed by the number of spinal segments.

The incidence angle is defined as the angle between a line from the center of the acetabulum to the center of the S1 endplate and another line perpendicular to the S1 endplate. The incidence angle is a morphological parameter and is constant regardless of the pelvic position in the adult pelvis. Since there is a geometric connection between the incidence angle and the position-dependent pelvic parameters, the incidence angle is still a decisive factor for the pelvic orientation.

The pelvic element is preferably designed so that it can be releasably attached to the spinal frame with a pelvic fastening element, for example using adapters.

The pelvic attachment element can be a composite of one or more pelvic support structures by means of which the pelvic element can be attached and aligned to the spinal frame. A separate basin coordinate system can be used to align according to the defined basin orientation. On the phantom, the pelvic element can be aligned relative to the simulated section of the human spine using the spinal frame. The alignment corresponds in particular to the predefined pool parameters.

The phantom thus preferably enables an anatomically correct simulation of the spine and the skin surface according to a given spine profile and optionally a pelvis. The definition of the spinal profile is preferably based on spinal parameters while the pelvic alignment is based on pelvic parameters. The spinal and pelvic parameters can serve as input parameters for an adaptive computer model. The specified spine and pelvis parameters can be incorporated into a computer-implemented spine-pelvis model. The orientation of the vertebrae and pelvis in the spine-pelvis model therefore corresponds to the currently set spine and pelvis parameters, which define the specified spine profile and the specified pelvic alignment.

From the spine model, a model file for a computer-implemented spine frame model can be automatically generated and exported. Based on the spine frame model manufacturing file, a physical spine frame can be additively manufactured. The alignment of the vertebral and pelvic replicas and, relative to this, the alignment of the skin support structures in the physical phantom are preferably carried out using this spinal frame.

The phantom can be further developed in such a way that it has a right shoulder element and a left shoulder element, each of which simulates a shoulder blade and parts of the overlying muscles of the right or left shoulder area and preferably at least part of the respective upper arm muscles of the human body. In this way, in addition to the shoulder blade, the muscle strands above it, i.e. the supraspinatus muscle, infraspinatus muscle, teres major muscle and teres minor muscle, can also be included. Furthermore, the upper arm muscles can be approximated using the shape of the deltoid muscle. This makes the phantom even more lifelike and realistic.

The right and left shoulder elements can be connected to a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments by means of one or more releasable shoulder connecting means, for example a screw connection, and the position of the right and left shoulder elements can be adjustable relative to the spinal segment by means of the one or more releasable shoulder connecting means. For example, a fixation structure could be integrated in the sixth spinal segment of the thorax. The shoulder can be fixed in its center using the shoulder connecting means. These shoulder connecting means can be used to adjust the position of the right and left shoulder elements relative to the spinal segment. The right and left shoulder elements can be connected to a spinal segment using a screw connection, for example. An axis specified by the fixation structure can be constructed using the shoulder model and based on anthropometric measurement data.

The shoulder area is generally not needed for radiology. However, the scapula, including muscles, can be important for methods based on surface measurement, such as raster stereography, as indirect landmarks such as the armpit, scapula lines, shoulder points, etc. can be set, which may be needed to reconstruct the spine.

In particular for the radiological differentiation of bones and tissue material It can be provided that the bone structures have a higher material density than the skin support structures and / or buttocks shaping structures. The different material densities can mean that the bone structures are essentially visible in a radiological image, while the spinal structure, for example, is not or only barely visible. On the one hand, materials of different densities can be used for this purpose. Alternatively or additionally, the same material with different filling density can be used.

For example, it can be advantageous if, in the case of at least one spinal segment of the number of spinal segments, the vertebra replica and the skin support structure of the spinal segment are made of the same material or of different materials and the vertebra replica has a higher material density than the skin support structure. For example, in additive manufacturing, bone structures such as vertebral replicas could have a fill density of 100% and skin support structures could have a fill density of 15%. The different filling densities can result in essentially the bone structures being visible in a radiological image.

Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that a vertebra replica of a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments and the spinal frame are made of the same material or of different materials and the vertebra replica has a higher material density than the spinal frame. In this case, too, the different material densities can be achieved particularly well using an additive manufacturing process. In this way, it could be achieved in a radiological image that the spinal structure is not or only barely visible. On the other hand, the vertebral replicas, which represent bone tissue, could be visible comparatively well in the radiological image. It can be advantageous if the material density of the vertebra replica is at least a factor of 2, in particular a factor between 2 and 8 or more, higher than the material density of the spinal frame or other structures of the phantom that do not represent bone tissue.

The invention also relates to a use of the phantom described above for generating an image based on the surface measurement, for example a raster stereography image or a depth camera image, and/or an X-ray image and/or a computed tomography image. In particular, the previously described phantom can be used to simultaneously generate a raster stereographic image and an X-ray image. In this way, it can be avoided that the raster stereographic image and the radiological image are recorded under a changed posture. In addition, the phantom enables systematic generation of predefined spinal profiles and pelvic alignments for both radiology and surface measurement-based procedures such as raster stereography.

• - computerimplementiertes Bereitstellen eines Wirbelsäulenmodells einer menschlichen Wirbelsäule, wobei das Wirbelsäulenmodell eine Anzahl Wirbelsäulensegmente aufweist, und ein Wirbelsäulensegment der Anzahl Wirbelsäulensegmente ein Wirbelbefestigungselement und ein an dem Wirbelbefestigungselement angeordnetes Körperteilelement aufweist,
• - computerimplementiertes Bereitstellen eines an das Wirbelsäulenmodell angepasstes Wirbelsäulengestellmodell, aufweisend eine Anzahl Wirbelsäulensegmenthaltestrukturen, die zur lösbaren Verbindung mit einem Wirbelbefestigungselement eines Wirbelsäulensegments vorgesehen sind,
• - Vorgeben eines Wirbelsäulenprofils und Ausrichten der Körperteilelemente der Anzahl Wirbelsäulensegmente des Wirbelsäulenmodells gemäß dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil,
• - computerimplementiertes Anpassen des Wirbelsäulengestellmodells an das gemäß dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil ausgerichteten Wirbelsäulenmodells, derart, dass die Wirbelsäulensegmenthaltestrukturen eine Position und Orientierung des Körperteilelements relativ zu dem Wirbelsäulengestellmodell definieren, so dass die Körperteilelemente gemäß dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil an dem Wirbelsäulengestellmodell ausgerichtet werden können,
• - Herstellen eines physischen Wirbelsäulengestells auf Basis des an das vorgegebene Wirbelsäulenprofil angepassten Wirbelsäulengestellmodells, und
• - Verbinden einer Anzahl hergestellter physischer Wirbelsäulensegmente mit den Wirbelsäulensegmenthaltestrukturen des Wirbelsäulengestells.

The invention also relates to a method for producing a phantom of a human body part, the method comprising the steps:

• - computer-implemented provision of a spine model of a human spine, wherein the spine model has a number of spine segments, and a spine segment of the number of spine segments has a vertebral fastening element and a body part element arranged on the vertebral fastening element,
• - computer-implemented provision of a spinal frame model adapted to the spinal model, comprising a number of spinal segment holding structures which are intended for releasable connection to a vertebral fastening element of a spinal segment,
• - Specifying a spine profile and aligning the body part elements of the number of spine segments of the spine model according to the specified spine profile,
• - computer-implemented adjustment of the spine frame model to the spine model aligned according to the predetermined spine profile, such that the spine segment holding structures define a position and orientation of the body part element relative to the spine frame model, so that the body part elements can be aligned on the spine frame model according to the predetermined spine profile,
• - Producing a physical spine frame based on the spine frame model adapted to the specified spine profile, and
• - Connecting a number of fabricated physical spinal segments to the spinal segment support structures of the spinal frame.

In particular, the method described above can be used to produce the phantom.

• - computerimplementiertes Vorgeben eines Wirbelsäulenparameters für wenigstens eine Wirbelnachbildung des Wirbelsäulenmodells entsprechend einem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil, und
• - computerimplementiertes Anpassen des Wirbelsäulenmodells an das vorgegebene Wirbelsäulenprofil unter Verwendung des vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenparameters, so dass

die Wirbelnachbildungen der mit dem Wirbelsäulengestell verbundenen Wirbelsäulensegmente wenigstens einen Abschnitt der menschlichen Wirbelsäule mit dem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil nachbilden, und/oder die Wirbelsäulensegmenthaltestrukturen des Wirbelsäulengestells so angeordnet und ausgebildet sind, dass die Hautstützstrukturen der mit dem Wirbelsäulengestell verbundenen Wirbelsäulensegmente eine an das vorgegebene Wirbelsäulenprofil angepasste Lage einer Hautoberfläche nachbilden.In the method, it is preferred that the body part element of a spinal segment has a vertebra replica of a vertebra of the human spine and/or a skin support structure that specifies a position of a skin surface, and the alignment of the spinal segments of the spinal model according to the predetermined spinal profile comprises the further steps:

• - computer-implemented specification of a spine parameter for at least one vertebra replica of the spine model according to a predetermined spine profile, and
• - computer-implemented adjustment of the spine model to the specified spine profile using the specified spine parameter, so that

the vertebral replicas of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame reproduce at least a section of the human spine with the predetermined spinal profile, and/or the spinal segment holding structures of the spinal frame are arranged and designed in such a way that the skin support structures of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame have a position adapted to the predetermined spinal profile Recreate the surface of the skin.

The spine model can be, for example, a computer-aided design (CAD) model of the human spine, wherein the spine consists of spine segments, each of which can have a vertebra replica, a vertebra fastening element and/or a skin support structure. The spine represented by the spine model can be adapted to a predetermined spine profile by specifying a spine parameter such as a lateral vertebral inclination, a sagittal vertebral inclination, a lateral lateral deviation, a sagittal lateral deviation, a vertebral rotation, and/or a vertebral height. This makes it possible to determine whether the spine model should represent a physiological spine or a spine based on a clinical picture, e.g. a scoliotic spine. The spine frame model is then adapted to the spine model, so that the spine frame model is designed to align a spine model according to the predetermined spine profile. The spine frame model is deformed in such a way that the spine segment holding structures are aligned such that when they are connected to spine segments, the spine segments are aligned according to the predetermined spine profile.

A physical spine frame is then manufactured based on the spine frame model adapted to the specified spine profile and the spine segment support structures of the spine frame are connected to spine segments. The spinal segments thereby reproduce a section of the human spine with the specified spinal profile. In addition, the skin support structures specify a position of a skin surface relative to the vertebral replica of the respective spinal segment that is adapted to the given spinal profile.

• Das Wirbelsäulenprofil und/oder eine Beckenstellung kann durch eine computerimplementierte Definition von Wirbelsäulenparametern und/oder Beckenparametern angepasst werden. Dadurch kann festgelegt werden, ob das Wirbelsäulenmodell eine physiologische Wirbelsäule oder eine Wirbelsäule gemäß einem Krankheitsbild, z.B. eine skoliotische Wirbelsäule darstellen soll. Als Wirbelsäulenparameter werden vorzugsweise die laterale und sagittale Wirbelneigung, die Wirbelrotation und die laterale und sagittale Wirbelabweichung sowie die vertikale Wirbelhöhe gewählt. Die Implementation kann beispielsweise anhand eines lokalen Wirbelkoordinatensystems erfolgen. Die Beckenausrichtung erfolgt vorzugsweise anhand eines lokalen Beckenkoordinatensystems, mittels dem die definierte Beckenausrichtung im physischen Phantom umgesetzt werden. Als positionsunabhängiger Beckenparameter wird vorzugweise der Inzidenzwinkel und als positionsabhängige Beckenparameter werden vorzugsweise die sagittale Beckenneigung, der Beckenhochstand, die laterale Beckenabweichung, die sagittale Beckenabweichung, die transversale Beckenabweichung und die Beckenrotation gewählt.

The following processes can be summarized under the process steps defined above:

• The spinal profile and/or a pelvic position can be adjusted through a computer-implemented definition of spinal parameters and/or pelvic parameters. This makes it possible to determine whether the spine model should represent a physiological spine or a spine based on a clinical picture, for example a scoliotic spine. The preferred spinal parameters chosen are the lateral and sagittal vertebral inclination, the vertebral rotation and the lateral and sagittal vertebral deviation as well as the vertical vertebral height. The implementation can be carried out, for example, using a local vortex coordinate system. The pelvic alignment is preferably carried out using a local pelvic coordinate system, by means of which the defined pelvic alignment is implemented in the physical phantom. The incidence angle is preferably selected as the position-independent pelvic parameter and the sagittal pelvic inclination, the pelvic elevation, the lateral pelvic deviation, the sagittal pelvic deviation, the transverse pelvic deviation and the pelvic rotation are preferably selected as the position-dependent pelvic parameters.

The method may include computer-implemented provision of spinal segment manufacturing files. The model files of the vertebral replicas as well as the model files of the vertebral attachments (if necessary with a skin support structure) are considered to be the spinal segment production file. The spinal segment manufacturing files are used for the preferably additive manufacturing of the components of the spinal segment.

The method may include computer-implemented provision of pelvic segment manufacturing files. Both the model file of the pelvic replica and the model files of the pelvic segment production file are considered to be the pelvic segment production file Pelvic attachments, optional with buttocks molding structure. The pelvic segment manufacturing files are used for the preferably additive manufacturing of the pelvic segment components.

The computer-implemented provision of a spine model can be done, for example, as a computer-aided design (CAD) model, where the spine consists of spine segments, each of which has a vertebra replica and a vertebra fastening element, optionally with a skin support structure. In addition, a pelvic segment can be integrated into the spine model, which consists of a pelvic element and pelvic fastening elements, optionally with a buttock shape structure. The number of spinal segments and the pelvic segment of the spinal model can be connected to the spinal frame via the respective vertebral or pelvic fastening elements, whereby the defined position of the vertebral replicas and the pelvic replica can be ensured.

The number of spine segments preferably represents at least one section of the human spine. For use in measurement methods such as raster stereography, which are based on surface measurement, it is preferred if at least one of the spinal segments has a skin support structure, which defines the position of the skin surface, for example, relative to the vertebral replica of the respective spinal segment according to the predetermined spinal profile.

After specifying the spine profile and the pelvic alignment, the computer-implemented adjustment of the spine model is preferably carried out. The selected values for the spine and pelvis parameters can be automatically adopted in the spine model and the corresponding alignment of the individual model components, e.g. the vertebral replicas and/or the skin support structures, can be adjusted to one another.

Based on the adapted spine model, the computer-implemented adjustment of the spine frame model is then preferably carried out. After the automated adjustment, the spinal frame model is preferably shaped in such a way and the integrated spinal segment holding structures and pelvic adapters are pronounced in such a way that the vertebral replicas or the pelvic element are positioned with the predetermined spinal profile or pelvic alignment. The model of this spinal frame can be saved in a computer-generated spinal frame manufacturing file and is used for the preferably additive manufacturing of a physical spinal frame.

In contrast to the physical spine frame, it is usually sufficient if the vertebral replicas, the vertebral fastening elements, the pelvic element and the pelvic fastening elements are manufactured once. Due to the modular design of the phantom, these components can be reused and aligned to the pathology-specific spine frame if the spinal profile or pelvic alignment changes. The production of a number of vertebral replicas and the production of a number of vertebral fastening elements can be carried out based on the respective spinal segment production file, preferably using additive manufacturing processes. Likewise, the production of the pelvic element and the production of a number of pelvic fastening elements based on the respective pelvic segment production file can also preferably be carried out using additive manufacturing processes.

After the individual components of the phantom have been manufactured, the modular assembly of the spinal segments and optionally the pelvic element can be carried out on the spinal frame. A number of spinal segments can be aligned and releasably connected via the spinal segment holding structures of the spinal frame. In addition, the pelvic element can optionally be detachably connected to the spine frame. The introduction of skin support structures, which specify the adapted position of a skin surface relative to the spinal frame, is also optional. Again optionally, buttock shape structures can be used, which specify an adapted position of a buttock surface relative to the pelvic element. The composite of spine frame, spine segments, optionally with skin support structures, and optionally a pelvic element, optionally with buttock molding structures, can thus represent at least a section of the human spine and optionally of the pelvis with a predetermined spine profile and optionally predetermined pelvic alignment.

The spinal segments can be connected to a variety of different spinal frames, each of which is adapted to a different predetermined spinal profile. It is therefore sufficient if the spinal segments are only produced once. A spine frame can then be manufactured individually for each different predetermined spine profile. Depending on the application, the spinal segments can then be connected to a different spinal frame in order to replicate a specific one of the predetermined spinal profiles. The phantom produced using this process has a modular structure, which allows material to be saved because only the spines frames need to be manufactured several times. By repositioning the spine segments from one spine frame to another spine frame, it is also possible to change from one given spine profile to another in a relatively simple manner. The phantom produced using this method can therefore be used in a variety of ways and, if the interchangeability of the spinal frames is taken into account, it is not limited to a specific spinal profile.

An additive manufacturing process can be used particularly advantageously to produce the spine frame and/or the number of spine segments and optionally the pelvic element. The manufacturing data of the spine frame and, if desired, the data of the spine segments and the pelvic element can be used as input data for an additive manufacturing device, such as the Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) method. Using the generated spinal frame model, which is based on the specified spinal and pelvic parameters, a typical scoliotic spinal deformation could, for example, be translated into a correspondingly deformed physical spinal frame with comparatively high accuracy and comparatively low costs. An additive manufacturing process is also particularly suitable because the individual components of the phantom can be manufactured with different densities, and in this way the radiological visibility of different structures can be simulated.

A filament made of polylactide (PLA), for example, can be used as a raw material for additive manufacturing. Production from metal or plaster (using 3D printing) would also be conceivable. The visibility in an X-ray can also be determined by the filling density of the components. The replicas of the vertebrae, the coccyx and the pelvic sockets can, for example, be printed with a fill density of 100%. The additive manufacturing of the remaining components, however, can be carried out with a filling density of, for example, 15%.

• - Herstellen einer Anzahl physischer Wirbelsäulensegmente auf Basis des Wirbelsäulenmodells einer menschlichen Wirbelsäule.

Optionally, the method may include the step:

• - Creating a number of physical spinal segments based on the spinal model of a human spine.

• 1: eine graphische Darstellung von Computermodellen eines Wirbelsäulenmodells, eines Wirbelsäulengestellmodells und eines Phantommodells;
• 2: eine Abfolge der Schritte für die Herstellung eines Wirbelsäulengestells für ein Phantom mit einem vorgegebenen Wirbelsäulenprofil;
• 3: beispielhaft eine Anzahl Wirbelnachbildungen und deren Ausrichtung in einem Wirbelkoordinatensystem;
• 4: beispielhaft die Ausrichtung eines Beckenmodells in einem Becken-Koordinatensystem;
• 5: beispielhaft ein Modell eines lumbalen Wirbelsäulensegments;
• 6: beispielhaft drei pathologiespezifische Wirbelsäulengestellmodelle;
• 7: eine Übersicht additiv gefertigter Bauteile eines Phantoms;
• 8: beispielhaft einige Zwischenschritte bei der Montage eines Phantoms;
• 9: drei unterschiedliche Phantom für jeweils unterschiedliche Wirbelsäulenprofile;
• 10: mehrere radiologische Aufnahmen des Phantoms B aus 9;
• 11: eine Darstellung von mittels Rasterstereographie erfassten Krümmungsprofile der Phantome A, B und C aus der 9;
• 12: eine rasterstereographische Rekonstruktion der Hautoberfläche und der Wirbelsäule jedes vermessenen Wirbelsäulenprofiles der Phantome A, B und C aus 11;

The invention will now be explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. Of the figures shows:

• 1 : a graphical representation of computer models of a spine model, a spine frame model and a phantom model;
• 2 : a sequence of steps for producing a spine frame for a phantom with a given spine profile;
• 3 : an example of a number of vertebral replicas and their alignment in a vertebral coordinate system;
• 4 : exemplarily the orientation of a basin model in a basin coordinate system;
• 5 : an example of a model of a lumbar spinal segment;
• 6 : three pathology-specific spinal frame models as an example;
• 7 : an overview of additively manufactured components of a phantom;
• 8th : some examples of intermediate steps when assembling a phantom;
• 9 : three different phantoms for each different spine profile;
• 10 : several radiological images of Phantom B 9 ;
• 11 : a representation of curvature profiles of phantoms A, B and C from the 9 ;
• 12 : a raster stereographic reconstruction of the skin surface and spine of each measured spine profile of phantoms A, B and C 11 ;

1 shows a graphical representation of computer models a) a spine-pelvis model 100, b) a spine frame model 102 and c) and d) a phantom model 104. The spine-pelvis model 100 has vertebrae replicas 106 that replicate a human spine. The spine-pelvis model 100 also has a pelvic element 108 that replicates a human pelvis. The 3D digitization methodology can be used to generate realistic volume models of the vertebral replicas 106. Alternatively, the spine-pelvis model could be created based on CT data. This would have the advantage that patient-specific adjustment of the vertebral replicas or pelvic replicas is possible.

The structure of the spine of the spine-pelvis model 100 is preferably carried out by orienting the individual vertebral replicas 106 to one another, preferably using local vertebral coordinate systems. In particular, each vertebra replica 106 can be individually based on six vertebral parameters: lateral vertebral inclination, sagittal vertebral inclination, vertebral rotation, vertebral height, sagittal deviation of the vertebra from the line of gravity and lateral deviation of the vertebra from the line of gravity.

The spine-pelvis model 100 further has a pelvic element 108, which can be aligned based on the position-independent and position-dependent pelvic parameters: incidence angle, pelvic elevation, sagittal pelvic inclination, pelvic rotation, sagittal pelvic deviation, transverse pelvic deviation and lateral pelvic deviation. The skeletal structure of the spine and pelvis is thus parameterized. It is therefore possible to adjust a wide range of spinal profiles with different pelvic alignments. The parameterization of the skeletal structure also enables the set spine profile and the set pelvic alignment to be automatically adopted in the spine-pelvis model 100 and the phantom model 104.

As in 1b) shown, the spine-pelvis model 100 is connected to the spine frame model 102 via vertebral fastening elements 110. The connection takes place via special spinal segment support structures (see 2 , reference number 206) of the spine frame model 102. The spine frame model 102 and its spine segment support structures are adapted to the previously set spine profile.

If a representation of the back topography is desired, for example to create raster stereography images, the skin surface is approximated at the level of each vertebra replica. For this purpose, the phantom model 104 has skin support structures 112, which serve to attach a skin cover that simulates the skin surface relative to the vertebra replica. The composite of vertebral replica 106, skin support structures 112 and vertebral fastening element 110 forms a spinal segment. Alternatively, a spinal segment of the phantom could also have either a replica vertebra or a skin support structure. If a spinal segment of the phantom has a vertebral replica but no skin support structure, the phantom is particularly suitable for producing radiological images of the replica of the spine. However, if a spinal segment of the phantom has a skin support structure but no vertebral replica, the phantom is particularly suitable for generating images based on surface measurements such as raster stereographic images of the phantom's back.

Analogously, the pelvic element 108 and the buttock mold structures 116 form a composite called a pelvic segment in the area of the buttocks. In the computer model, the skin surface is automatically adapted to a given spinal profile because there is a direct connection to the underlying parameterized skeletal structure.

The spinal profile can be changed by the orientation and position of each individual vertebra. The pool alignment can be adjusted by varying the pool parameters. The spine-pelvis model 100 and the phantom model 104 based on it can automatically adopt changes based on appropriate parameterization. To adapt the physical phantom to a changed spinal profile and/or pelvic alignment, all that is necessary is to re-manufacture the spinal frame. The spinal segments and the pelvic element are reusable due to the modular structure of the physical phantom. This enables comparatively cost-effective production while at the same time offering a high degree of variability in the spine profile and pelvic alignment.

The physical phantom thus has the same defined spine profile and pelvic alignment as the computer-generated spine-pelvis model 100 and the computer-generated phantom model 104 based on it.

The spine frame is manufactured using automatically generated manufacturing files based on the adapted spine frame model 102. Spinal segment holding structures are integrated into the spine frame (see 2 , reference number 206), whose orientation automatically adapts to the specified spine profile. The alignment of all spinal segments is preferably carried out as plug connections between its vertebral fastening element and the corresponding spinal segment holding structure of the spinal frame 102. The alignment of the pelvis and the buttock surface is preferably also realized via appropriately designed pelvic fastening elements. In addition, the orientation of the shoulders 114 can be carried out manually, for example based on statistical information, preferably on the sixth spinal segment.

The components of the computer-generated spine-pelvis model 100 and the computer-generated phantom model 104 based on it are preferably to be manufactured additively. Additive manufacturing offers the possibility of adjusting the material density in percentage terms and thus the visibility ability of the components to be checked in an x-ray. After production, a hook tape with barbs can preferably be glued to the skin support structures, so that an elastic skin cover made of material adheres to the skin support structures. Using the skin cover, the closed skin surface of the back can be simulated, for example for raster stereography recordings.

2 shows an example of a sequence of steps for the additive manufacturing of a spine frame, which is adapted to the defined spine profile and the defined pelvic alignment.

First, a spine-pelvis model 200 and a spine frame model 202 are provided. The spinal and pelvic parameters 204 are then defined. The parameterization (step S1) of the models enables the changed spine and pelvis parameters 204 to be automatically adopted into the spine-pelvis model 200 and the spine frame model 202 based on it.

The spinal segment holding structures are created in the computer model by subtracting the parameterized vertebral fastening elements adapted to the spinal profile (see 1 , reference numeral 110) is generated (step S2). In this way, the complementarity between the spinal support structures 206 and the vertebral attachment element is ensured. Due to the parameterization, the alignment of the vertebral fastening elements automatically adapts to the specified spinal profile. Preferably, by subtracting the vertebral fasteners from the spinal frame model 202, their alignment is automatically transferred to the spinal segment support structures 206. The shape of the spinal frame model 202 and the orientation of the spinal segment holding structures 206 thus determine the orientation of the spinal segments to be inserted. After parameterization, the adapted spine frame model 202 thus has spine segment holding structures 206, by means of which the vertebral replicas can be aligned in the spine profile to be generated.

Furthermore, the spinal frame model 202 serves to align the pelvis. This can be done, for example, using pelvic fastening elements, which can be fixed directly to the spine frame in the physical model using screw connections. In this way, the specified spinal profile with the specified pelvic alignment is transferred to the physical phantom.

The customized spinal frame model 202 can be exported as a manufacturing file (step S3) and provided as input data to an additive manufacturing device 208, such as a 3D printer.

3 shows an example of a lumbar vertebra replica 300 in different orientations. The location description is based on several local vortex coordinate systems. The frontal plane is shown in the first column 302, the sagittal plane in the second column 304 and the transversal plane in the third column 306.

A basic orientation of the vortex replica 300 is shown in the first line 308. The basic vertebral coordinate systems (WKS-B) are based on anatomical landmarks of the vertebral simulation. The origin of the WKS-B lies in the center of the vertebra replica 300. Starting from the origin, the x-vector points posteriorly, the y-vector points to the left and the z-vector points cranially.

Using this local basic vertebral coordinate system, the sagittal lateral deviation, lateral lateral deviation and vertical vertebral height of the vertebral simulation can be parameterized in relation to a fixed spatial coordinate system (RKS). The sagittal lateral deviation of each vertebra is determined by the distance from the YZ plane of the WKS-B to the YZ plane of the RKS. The lateral lateral deviation of each vertebra is defined analogously as the distance from the XZ plane of the WKS-B to the XZ plane of the RKS. The vertical vortex height can be adjusted via the vertical distance from the origin of the WKS-B to the XY plane of the RKS.

The lateral vertebral inclination in the vertebral coordinate system-inclination-lateral (WKS-NL) 310 describes the rotation around the x-axis of the WKS-B. The sagittal vertebral inclination in the vertebral coordinate system-Inclination-Sagittal (WKS-NS) 312 describes the rotation about the y-axis of the WKS-B. The vertebral rotation in the vertebral coordinate system rotation (WKS-R) 314 can be set as a rotation about the z-axis of the WKS-B. The use of the WKS-B 308 and, based on it, the WKS-NL 310, WKS-NS 312 and WKS-R 314 enables the vortex to be parameterized in six dimensions.

4 shows an example of the orientation of a basin model 400 in a basin coordinate system. The base basin coordinate system (BCS-B) is reconstructed via landmarks in the generated volume model. For this purpose, a pelvic coordinate system is defined whose origin lies at the center of the cranial end plate of the sacrum. The XY plane is parallel to the plane, which is spanned by two straight lines: on the one hand, the straight line between the anterior ones bone projections (ASIS, Latin anterior superior iliac spine) and on the other hand through the straight line between the posterior bone projections (PSIS, Latin posterior superior iliac spine). The z vector is perpendicular to the XY plane and points upwards from the origin. The 4c ) shown. The x vector points posteriorly from the origin. The y-vector points perpendicular to the x-axis to the left from the origin. The pelvic elevation is defined as rotation around the x-axis. The pelvic tilt describes the rotation of the pelvis around the y-axis, the pelvic rotation describes the rotation around the z-axis. The sagittal pelvic deviation describes the distance from the YZ plane of the BKS-B to the YZ plane of the RKS. The lateral pelvic deviation is defined analogously as the distance from the XZ plane of the BKS-B to the XZ plane of the RKS. The transverse pelvis deviation can be adjusted via the vertical distance from the origin of the UCS-B to the XY plane of the RKS.

5 shows an example of a model of a lumbar spine segment 500 with an integrated skin support structure for creating a phantom for, for example, raster stereographic recordings. The spinal segment 500 has a vertebral attachment element 502. This is detachably connected at one end to a vertebra replica 504 of a lumbar vertebra. The vertebral fastening element 502 holds a skin support structure 508 via struts 506, which approximates a position of the skin surface individually for the vertebral replica 504. At its other end 510, the vertebral fastening element 502 can be connected to a spinal segment support structure of a spinal frame.

6 shows three example spinal frame models, with the Phantoms A 600 having a physiological spine profile, the Phantoms B 602 having a scoliotic spine profile without vertebral rotation and the Phantoms C 604 having a scoliotic spine profile with vertebral rotation.

7 shows an overview of additively manufactured components of a phantom 700 with which both radiological images and images based on the optical measurement of the skin surface, for example raster stereographic images, can be generated. The Phantom 700 has a spine frame 701 that is assembled from several individual parts. Furthermore, the phantom 700 comprises spinal segments, to whose vertebral fastening elements the respective skin support structure and the respective vertebral replica, for example the cervical vertebra (C2 to C7) 702, the thoracic vertebra (T1 to T12) 704, 706, and the lumbar vertebra (L1 to L5) 708, are detachably connected become. Furthermore, the phantom 700 includes replicas of the left and right shoulder areas 710 and a replica of the pelvis 712. To replicate the buttock surface, the phantom 700 has buttock mold structures 714.

8th shows an example of some intermediate steps in the assembly of a Phantom 800 with an exemplary scoliotic spine profile. First, spinal segments are aligned one after the other on the spinal frame and fixed using screw connections (steps T1 and T2). A pelvic fastening element is then fixed to the spinal frame. Additional cymbal fastening elements are attached to this (step T3). Using the spine frame, it is then possible to align and fix the pelvic element and its buttock structures (step T4). Furthermore, the shoulders are fixed and aligned on the sixth thoracic spinal segment.

The Phantom 800 can then be hung in a frame structure (not shown) and aligned and fixed in the frontal plane. In the last step, the spinal segments are covered with the skin cover (step T5). To do this, a hook band with barbs is glued to the spinal segments. When over-tightening, care should be taken to ensure that no wrinkles form and that the skin cover lies completely against the skin support structures. T-shirt fabric can be used as a skin cover for the skin surface as it is stretchy and adheres to the hook tape.

9 shows the phantom models A 900, B 902, C 904 in different views. In the first column 906 the phantoms A, B and C are in a view from posterior to anterior (PA view), in a second column 908 the phantoms A, B and C are in a view from anterior to posterior (AP view ), in a third column 910, phantoms A, B, and C are shown in a lateral view (lat view), and in a fourth column, phantoms A, B, and C are shown in a skin-covered PA view.

10 shows several radiological images 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006 of the in 9 Phantom B shown, i.e. a phantom with a scoliotic spinal profile without vertebral rotation. The skeletal structure consisting of the pelvis and vertebrae appears brighter in all X-ray images 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006 due to the higher material density. The skin support structures are visible in X-ray images 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006, but have a lower brightness level. The spine frame and the shoulder area are also shown with a low brightness level in all images 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006. The skin covering is only shown very faintly in the X-ray images 1000, 1002, 1006. The cranial and caudal vertebral endplates relevant to the evaluation of the spinal parameters, as well as the endplate of the sacrum, can therefore be seen in the X-ray images 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006. Furthermore, the acetabulum of both pelvic cups is shown in X-ray images 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006.

11 shows representations 1100, 1102, 1104 of curvature profiles of phantoms A, B and C recorded using raster stereography. The spinal midline, the waist as well as the shoulder blades and the anal groove are recorded as concave (blue) areas. The right convexity of the spine of phantoms B and C is also recognized (red).

12 shows raster stereographic reconstructions 1200, 1202, 1204 of the skin surface and spine of each measured spine profile of phantoms A, B and C, which are based on the recorded curvature profiles ( 11 ).

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Non-patent literature cited

• R. Tino, et al., in the article “A Systematic Review on 3D-Printed Imaging and Dosimetry Phantoms in Radiation Therapy”, Technology in cancer research & treatment 2019; 18:1533033819870208 [0005]

Claims (19)

Phantom of a human body part, the phantom comprising: - a number of spinal segments, each having a vertebral attachment element and a body part element arranged on the vertebral attachment element, and - a spinal frame that is adapted to a predetermined spinal profile of the human spine and has a number of spinal segment holding structures, each of which is releasably connected to the vertebral fastening element of a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments, the spinal segment holding structures of the spinal frame being arranged and designed so that the body part elements of the Spinal segments connected to the spinal segment holding structures are aligned to the specified spinal profile. Phantom after Claim 1 , wherein the body part element has a vertebral replica of a vertebra of the human spine and/or a skin support structure that specifies a position of a skin surface, wherein the vertebral replica and/or the skin support structure are connected to the vertebral fastening element of the spinal segment of the number of spinal segments. Phantom after Claim 2 , wherein the body part elements of several spinal segments have a vertebra replica of a vertebra of the human spine and / or a skin support structure, and - the vertebra replicas of the spinal segments connected to the spinal frame reproduce at least a section of the human spine with the predetermined spinal profile, and / or - the skin support structures of Spinal segments connected to the spinal frame reproduce a position of a skin surface that is adapted to the specified spinal profile. Phantom after at least one of the Claims 2 or 3 , wherein the spinal segments are connected to the spinal frame in such a way that the vertebral replica of the respective spinal segment is aligned in accordance with a lateral vertebral inclination, sagittal vertebral inclination, lateral lateral deviation, sagittal lateral deviation, vertebral rotation, and vertebral height resulting from the specified spinal profile. Phantom according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the skin support structures are covered with a skin cover, so that the skin cover replicates a position of the skin surface depending on the predetermined spinal profile. Phantom after Claim 5 , wherein a skin holding means is arranged on at least one skin support structure, which fixes the skin cover relative to the skin support structure. Phantom after at least one of the Claims 2 until 6 , wherein the skin support structure of a spinal segment is connected to the vertebral attachment element of the spinal segment by means of a number of struts. Phantom according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a pelvic element connected to the spinal frame and designed to simulate a pelvis of the human body, the pelvic element being connected to the spinal frame by means of a pelvic adapter. Phantom after Claim 8 , wherein the pelvic element has a number of buttock molding structures which are designed and arranged to prescribe a position of a buttock surface relative to the pelvic element. Phantom after Claim 8 or 9 , wherein the pelvic element is aligned with the spinal frame based on the pelvic parameters incidence angle, sagittal pelvic inclination, pelvic elevation, lateral pelvic deviation, sagittal pelvic deviation, transverse pelvic deviation and pelvic rotation, and the pelvis is modeled relative to the section of the human spine formed by the number of spinal segments. Phantom according to at least one of the preceding claims, comprising a right shoulder element and a left shoulder element, each of which simulates a shoulder blade and parts of the overlying muscles of the right or left shoulder area and preferably at least part of the respective upper arm muscles of the human body. Phantom after Claim 11 , wherein the right and left shoulder elements are connected to a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments by means of one or more releasable shoulder connecting means and a position of the right and left shoulder elements is adjustable relative to the spinal segment by means of the one or more releasable shoulder connecting means. Phantom after at least one of the Claims 2 until 12 , whereby at least one spinal segment of the number of spinal segments has the vertebral replica and the skin support Structure of the spinal segment are made from the same material or from different materials, the vertebra replica having a higher material density than the skin support structure. Phantom after at least one of the Claims 2 until 13 , wherein a vertebra replica of a spinal segment of the number of spinal segments and the spinal frame are made of the same material or of different materials and the vertebra replica has a higher material density than the spinal frame. Use of the phantom according to at least one of the preceding claims for generating a recording based on a surface measurement, in particular a raster stereographic recording or a depth camera recording, and/or an X-ray recording and/or a computer tomographic recording. A method for producing a phantom of a human body part, the method comprising the steps: - computer-implemented provision of a spine model of a human spine, wherein the spine model has a number of spine segments, and a spine segment of the number of spine segments has a vertebral fastening element and a body part element arranged on the vertebral fastening element, - computer-implemented provision of a spinal frame model adapted to the spinal model, comprising a number of spinal segment holding structures which are intended for releasable connection to a vertebral fastening element of a spinal segment, - Specifying a spine profile and aligning the body part elements of the number of spine segments of the spine model according to the specified spine profile, - computer-implemented adjustment of the spine frame model to the spine model aligned according to the predetermined spine profile, such that the spine segment holding structures define a position and orientation of the body part element relative to the spine frame model, so that the body part elements can be aligned on the spine frame model according to the predetermined spine profile, - Producing a physical spine frame based on the spine frame model adapted to the specified spine profile, and - Connecting a number of fabricated physical spinal segments to the spinal segment support structures of the spinal frame. Procedure according to Claim 16 , wherein the body part element of a spine segment has a vertebral replica of a vertebra of the human spine and / or a skin support structure that specifies a position of a skin surface, and aligning the spine segments of the spine model according to the predetermined spine profile comprises the steps: - computer-implemented specification of a spine parameter for at least a vertebral replica of the spine model corresponding to a predetermined spine profile, and - computer-implemented adaptation of the spine model to the predetermined spine profile using the predetermined spine parameter, so that - the vertebral replicas of the spinal segments connected to the spine frame reproduce at least a section of the human spine with the predetermined spine profile, and / or the spine segment holding structures of the spine frame are arranged and designed in such a way that the skin support structures of the spine segments connected to the spine frame reproduce a position of a skin surface that is adapted to the predetermined spine profile. Procedure according to Claim 16 or 17 , further comprising the step: - producing a number of physical spinal segments based on the spinal model of a human spine. Method according to at least one of the Claims 16 until 18 , wherein the spinal frame and/or the number of spinal segments are manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.