JP6360425B2 - Brain phantom and middle / diencephalon phantom - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a brain phantom that can be used for evaluation of a photographed image of a human striatum, and a mid-mesencephalon phantom that can be used for such a brain phantom.

  Parkinson's Syndrome (PS) is a general term for parkinson's disease (PD) and related diseases that exhibit Parkinson's disease symptoms. Diseases belonging to Parkinson's syndrome include Parkinson's disease (PD), for example, progressive supranuclea Palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA) : Multiple System Atrophy).

  In diagnosis and research of Parkinson's syndrome (PS), quantitative detection of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and acetylcholine in the striatum in the basal ganglia is performed. The detection is performed using diagnostic imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). It is common to image the brain containing the striatum. In PET and SPECT, a radioactive isotope is injected into a subject's body as a tracer, and gamma rays emitted from the body are detected to form a tomographic image of the distribution of the radioactive tracer.

Parkinson's syndrome (PS) develops due to degeneration and loss of dopamine and acetylcholine neurons that project from the substantia nigra to the striatum. Dopamine released from neurons binds to the dopamine receptor or is reuptaked by the dopamine transporter. [ ¹²³ I] ioflupane, which is a radioactive liquid in which iodine 123, which is a radioisotope, is bound to ioflupan (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “RI liquid”) binds to a dopamine transporter.

[ ¹²³ I] ioflupan is an abbreviation for N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β- (4- ¹²³ I-iodophenyl) nortropane, and is also expressed as ¹²³ I-FP-CIT.

By the body of a subject by injecting RI solution of ^{[123 I]} Iofurupan taking a nuclear medicine images such as PET image or SPECT image, such as a receptor or dopamine transporters decrease is detected. As a result, the degree of symptoms of Parkinsonism (PS) may be diagnosed quantitatively and qualitatively.

  A human body model (phantom) corresponding to the shape and size of the region to be imaged is used for performance inspection and calibration of a nuclear medicine image capturing apparatus using PET or SPECT. By storing the RI liquid adjusted to a known concentration in advance in this phantom and taking images, evaluation of nuclear medicine imaging devices, that is, examination of diagnostic performance by these devices and calibration of imaging conditions and diagnostic results Various evaluations such as can be performed.

  Regarding a phantom for a brain imaging apparatus, Patent Document 1 describes a head model in which specific regions corresponding to gray matter, cerebrum, basal ganglia, frontal lobe, and the like are formed as cavities. This head model is created by three-dimensional stereolithography of a photocurable resin, and a specific region of the brain and a portion corresponding to the skull are formed as independent cavities that are not in communication with each other inside the resin head model. Yes.

  Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a striatum phantom used for evaluation of a captured image of a striatum. This striatum phantom is one in which four small containers are provided inside a transparent spherical outer shell imitating the cerebrum. The transparent outer shell is formed by combining a pair of transparent bowl-shaped soft containers and fixed in a spherical shape so as not to be separated. The small container includes an elliptical-shaped flat container simulating a caudate nucleus and a shell, respectively, and a liquid supply pipe connected to the end of the flat container. The liquid supply pipe is fixed to the outer shell and is open on the outer surface of the outer shell. The flat container is disposed in the approximate center of the outer shell. It is possible to fill the inside of the flat container with a high concentration RI liquid from the outside of the outer shell through the liquid supply pipe. On the other hand, an opening is formed at the upper end of the sealed outer shell so that water or a low concentration RI solution can be injected. By taking a nuclear medicine image using such a striatum phantom, the outer shell simulating the cerebrum can be imaged with low pixel intensity, and a small container simulating the striatum can be imaged with high pixel intensity. . Thereby, it is possible to evaluate the nuclear medicine image capturing apparatus. Non-patent document 2 and non-patent document 3 will be described later.

International Publication No. 10/116982 Pamphlet

"STRIATAL PHANTOMS FOR SPECT / PET", Radiology Support Devices, Inc. [searched on October 9, 2014], Internet <URL: http://www.rsdphantoms.com/nm_striatal.htm> "Midbrain SERT in Degenerative Parkinsonisms: A 123I-FP-CIT SPECT Study", Francesco Roselli, et al., Movement Disorders Vol.25, No. 12, pp.1853-1859, 2010 "Assessing the Optimal Time Point for the Measurement of Extrastriatal Serotonin Transporter Binding with 123I-FP-CIT SPECT in Healthy, Male Subjects" Karin E. Koopman, et al., The Journal of Nuclear Medicine Vol.53, No. 7, pp .1087-1090, 2012

Non-Patent Document 2, healthy subjects, Parkinson's disease (PD) disease's and essential tremor: whereas high integration of ^{[123 I]} Iofurupan to (ET Essential Tremor) disease who midbrain is observed, It has been reported that [ ¹²³ I] ioflupan accumulation is significantly reduced in the midbrain of persons with dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Non-Patent Document 3 reports that in healthy subjects, high accumulation of [ ¹²³ I] ioflupan is observed not only in the midbrain but also in the diencephalon. However, since the striatum phantom described in Non-Patent Document 1 is not provided with a container corresponding to the midbrain and is provided only with a small container corresponding to the striatum, radioactivity is accumulated in the striatum. You can only make an assessment of For this reason, when performing various evaluations such as performance inspection of nuclear medicine imaging equipment and calibration of imaging conditions, it is possible to grasp the correlation between radioactivity accumulation and imaging results for both the striatum and the midbrain. Can not. Therefore, when using equipment different from the equipment (SPECT device, collimator, etc.) used to obtain the results reported in Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3, the image quality of the obtained image is not guaranteed. As a result, the same results as in Non-Patent Documents 2 and 3 cannot be obtained, and there is a possibility that the disease discrimination accuracy may be hindered.

  Currently, a plurality of types of nuclear medicine imaging apparatuses such as SPECT apparatuses and PET apparatuses having different performance and imaging conditions are provided, and different apparatuses are installed for each medical facility. However, when imaging results of nuclear medicine images acquired by a plurality of devices having different performance and imaging conditions are compared with each other, the image quality of the images is not ensured, and there is a risk of hindering disease discrimination accuracy. .

  In addition, if the correlation between the radioactivity accumulation of the striatum and mesencephalon or diencephalon and the imaging results is clarified by performing performance inspection of the nuclear medicine imaging device, calibration of imaging conditions, etc., the striatum and By using various radioactive tracers targeting the brain or diencephalon, it is expected that various neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's syndrome (PS) can be differentiated with high accuracy.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and even in a medical facility that uses various imaging devices having different performance or imaging conditions, a certain level of image quality is ensured for the acquired nuclear medicine images. In addition, the present invention provides a technique for enabling differentiation of various neurodegenerative diseases using a radioactive tracer targeting the striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon.

  In the brain phantom for performing various evaluations such as performance inspection and calibration of a nuclear medicine imaging apparatus, the present inventors formed a hollow area simulating the striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon. The present invention has been completed from the idea that it is possible to accurately inject the RI solution so that it can be accurately distinguished from the surrounding brain region when the striatum and the midbrain are considered as regions of interest in nuclear medicine images. It was.

That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a brain phantom used for evaluation of a nuclear medicine image of a human head, a container having a hollow portion therein, and a human striatum inside the hollow portion. A pair of striatum model parts imitating the left striatum and the right striatum respectively installed at relative positions corresponding to the positional relationship between the body and the midbrain and / or diencephalon, and the pair of striatum models A mid-mesencephalon model part disposed between and externally, and the mid-mesencephalon model part is relative to the striatum model part relative to a human striatum Including a midbrain model part installed at a relative position corresponding to the at least part of the striatal model part and the midbrain model part with respect to the arrangement direction of the pair of striatal model parts They are arranged to overlap each other in a direction orthogonal, the striatum model section and the during- Model portion, a hollow shape, respectively, brain phantom is provided with a liquid injection port for injecting a radioactive liquid.

Further, according to the present invention, the brain phantom is equipped with a hollow striatum model part used to evaluate a nuclear medicine image of a human head and imitating the position and shape of a human striatum. A possible mid-mesencephalon phantom having a hollow shape, a liquid inlet for injecting a radioactive liquid, and a human striatum and midbrain and / or between the striatum model part Provided is a mid-mesencephalon phantom having a mid-mesencephalon support for placement at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship with the brain.

  According to the brain phantom and the mid-diencephalon phantom of the present invention, even in a medical facility that uses various imaging devices with different performance or imaging conditions, a nuclear medicine image with a certain level of image quality is secured. Differentiation of various neurodegenerative diseases using a radioactive tracer targeting the striatum and midbrain and / or diencephalon becomes feasible.

It is an upper perspective view which shows the brain phantom of 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of a brain phantom. It is a top view of the seat part with which the striatum model part and the midbrain model part were mounted | worn. 4A is a front view of the seat portion, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the seat portion. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the striatum model part, and FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the striatum model part. 6A is a perspective view of the midbrain model part, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of the midbrain model part. It is a top view of the seat part of the state where the striatal model part was mounted | worn and the midbrain model part was removed. It is an upper perspective view which shows the brain phantom of 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the seat part in which the middle / mesencephalon model part and the striatum model part of the third embodiment of the present invention are mounted. FIG. 10A is a plan view of the middle / mesencephalon model part of the third embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a front view. Fig.11 (a) is a top view of the mid-brain model part concerning the modification of 3rd embodiment, FIG.11 (b) is a front view.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, corresponding constituent elements are denoted by common reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted as appropriate.

<First embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing a brain phantom 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the brain phantom 100. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the seat portion 50 to which the striatum model portions 10a and 10b and the midbrain model portion 70 are attached. FIG. 4A is a front view of the seat portion 50, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the seat portion 50.

  First, an outline of the brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment will be described.

  The brain phantom 100 is used for evaluating a nuclear medicine image of a human head. The brain phantom 100 according to the present embodiment includes a storage container 30 having a cavity 40 inside, and a striatum model part 10a / 10b and a middle / middle brain model part 90 installed inside the cavity 40. I have. The striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 are inside the cavity 40 and have relative positions corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon. Installed. The striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the mid and diencephalon model part 90 each have a hollow shape and have liquid inlets 12 and 72 for injecting a radioactive liquid (RI liquid).

Next, this embodiment will be described in detail.
In the following description, the side on which the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 are fixed with respect to the storage container 30 may be referred to as the lower side, and the opposite side may be referred to as the upper side. For the purpose of explaining the relative positional relationship of the components of the brain phantom 100, the positive direction in the Z-axis direction in the Tarailach coordinate system (brain stereotactic coordinate atlas) of the human brain is referred to for convenience. It is. This convenient vertical direction does not necessarily match the vertical direction with respect to the direction of gravity when the brain phantom 100 is manufactured or used. In order to represent the direction of the brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment, an XYZ coordinate system similar to the Tarailach coordinate system is defined as shown in FIG.

  The brain phantom 100 is used by being attached to a nuclear medicine image capturing apparatus such as a PET apparatus or a SPECT apparatus that captures the entire body including the head or the subject's head. Specifically, the brain phantom 100 is used as a substitute for the head at the position where the subject's head is set.

  The brain phantom 100 according to the present embodiment is roughly composed of a storage container 30, a striatum model part 10a / 10b, and a middle / diencephalon model part 90. According to the brain phantom 100, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 are filled with RI solution having a known concentration, and this is photographed and imaged by a nuclear medicine image photographing device. Accordingly, it is possible to perform various evaluations such as performance inspection and calibration of imaging ability when the human striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon are used as the region of interest.

  Here, the striatum in this specification means a new human striatum (dorsal striatum). A human has a pair of striatum (left striatum and right striatum). The left striatum and the right striatum are each composed of a putamen and a caudate nucleus. A pair of human striatum is formed in a divergent shape that widens from the frontal (+ Y direction) to the occipital (−Y direction). The midbrain is a region between the diencephalon and the bridge in the brain stem, and is formed at a position where the striatum and the midbrain partially overlap in the Y direction and the Z direction in the Tarailach coordinate system. Has been.

The middle / mesencephalon model part 90 is a hollow model part imitating the human midbrain, diencephalon or both the midbrain and the diencephalon. As the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of this embodiment and a second embodiment (see FIG. 8) described later, a midbrain model part 70 simulating a human midbrain is provided. The aspect which does not have is illustrated. A middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of a third embodiment (see FIG. 10) and a modified example thereof (see FIG. 11) to be described later is a hollow model part imitating both the human midbrain and the diencephalon, A mode provided with the midbrain model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92 is illustrated. The midbrain model unit 70 is installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the striatum of the human (adult healthy person) and the midbrain with respect to the striatum model units 10a and 10b. The diencephalon model part 92 is installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the striatum of the human (adult healthy person) and the diencephalon with respect to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b.
In addition, the middle / diencephalon model part 90 may be a hollow model part imitating only the human brain, that is, the midbrain model part 92 without the midbrain model part 70 (FIGS. 10 and 11). Only).

The container 30 includes an upper pedestal 32, a flange portion 34, a tubular portion 36, a seat portion 50, and a cranial bone member 62. The cylindrical portion 36 has a shape simulating at least a part of the outer surface of the human cerebrum, and is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape that bulges outward, and a hollow portion 40 is formed inside. Although the volume of the cavity 40 is not particularly limited, it is preferably a volume that is comparable to the volume of the human cerebrum and that can sufficiently accommodate the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70, Specifically, it can be about 1 to 1.5 × 10 ³ milliliters.

  The cavity 40 of the storage container 30 has an opening 42. The opening 42 is closed by the seat portion 50 so as to be opened and closed. The striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 are configured to be able to be inserted and removed from the opening 42 while being attached to the seat part 50. For this reason, since the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 can be integrated with the cavity 40, the preparation of the brain phantom 100 and the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and The replacement work of the middle / diencephalon model part 90 can be performed quickly.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a plate-like seat portion 50 is in liquid tight contact with the lower surface of the flange portion 34 to close the cavity portion 40. The RI solution stored in the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 inside the cavity 40, that is, around the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / mesencephalon model part 90. The low-concentration RI solution diluted to a lower concentration is stored. In this state, by taking a nuclear medicine image of the brain phantom 100 with the nuclear medicine imaging device, gamma rays are counted at a high number density from the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90, and the cavity part From 40 (cylindrical part 36), gamma rays are counted at a lower number density than these. By reconstructing the brain phantom 100 into three-dimensional image data based on the count value, the cavity 40 (cylindrical part 36) is imaged with low pixel intensity, and the striatum model part arranged inside the cavity 40 The images 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model 90 are imaged with high pixel intensity.

  An upper pedestal 32 is integrally formed in a liquid-tight manner at the upper end of the cylindrical portion 36, and a flange portion 34 is integrally formed in a liquid-tight manner at the lower end. Although the method of shape | molding the storage container 30 is not limited, Three-dimensional shaping | molding methods, such as the optical shaping method using photocurable resin materials, such as an epoxy resin, are used suitably. The container 30 can be three-dimensionally laminated by photocuring the photocurable resin material one layer at a time in the −Y direction or the + Y direction from the upper pedestal 32 or the flange portion 34 toward the other. Thereby, the storage container 30 which has the big hollow cavity part 40 inside can be created with the photocurable resin material of a single absorption coefficient. Further, since the boundary between the upper pedestal 32 and the cylindrical portion 36 and the boundary between the flange portion 34 and the cylindrical portion 36 can be smoothly connected, bubbles remaining when a low concentration RI solution is injected into the storage container 30. Can be reduced.

  The cranial bone member 62 is mounted in close contact with the outer peripheral surface or inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 36. The brain bone member 62 is a member for simulating the attenuation of gamma rays by a human skull, and is formed by bending a resin material such as an epoxy resin to which calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate or calcium hydroxide is added into a curved plate shape. It is. The cranial bone member 62 has at least the liquid reservoirs 20 and 76 and the liquid reservoirs 94 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / dibrain model part 90 in the body axis direction (Z direction). ) And the dimensions in the Z direction.

  The upper pedestal 32 includes liquid supply ports 33a and 33b for supplying a liquid such as a low-concentration RI solution to the cavity 40, and is fitted with plugs 37a to 37c so as to be opened and closed. The plurality of liquid supply ports 33a and 33b are formed in the upper pedestal 32 so that liquid is injected from one liquid supply port 33a into the cavity 40, and the other liquid supply port 33b is used as an air vent hole to form the cavity 40. The air inside can be discharged. Thereby, the liquid can be quickly injected into the cavity 40. The plugs 37a and 37b for closing the liquid supply port 33a have a double plug structure, and the liquid is finely injected through a through hole (not shown) of the plug 37a having a smaller diameter than the liquid supply port 33a. Can do.

  On the upper surface of the upper pedestal 32, a plurality of protrusions 35 that are formed so as to protrude outward from the plugs 37 a to 37 c from the upper pedestal 32 and constitute an inverted surface are formed at a plurality of locations. The protrusion 35 protrudes higher than the plugs 37 a to 37 c from the upper base 32. Thus, when the brain phantom 100 is turned upside down (inverted) from FIG. 1 and placed on a work table or the like with the upper pedestal 32 facing downward, the projections 35 become legs and the plugs 37a to 37c serve as work tables. And so on.

  As shown in FIG. 3 and FIGS. 4A and 4B, the seat portion 50 includes a support base 52, a concave groove 58, and a screw hole 57. The support base 52 is formed so as to protrude above the seat portion 50 toward the inside of the cavity portion 40, and is a portion to which the striatum model portions 10a and 10b and the midbrain model portion 70 are attached. The recessed groove 58 is formed so as to surround the periphery of the support base 52, and a sealing member such as an O-ring 64 is attached to seal the seat portion 50 and the flange portion 34 in a liquid-tight manner. As an example, a chemical-resistant synthetic rubber material such as silicone rubber or nitrile rubber can be used for the O-ring 64. The screw holes 57 are provided at a plurality of locations further outside the concave groove 58. The seat portion 50 and the flange portion 34 (see FIG. 2) are fastened with a plurality of bolts using the screw holes 57. The O-ring 64 is pressed and deformed by the tightening force of the bolt, and the space between the seat portion 50 and the flange portion 34 is sealed in a watertight manner.

  A sealing portion 59 is provided between the support base 52 and the recessed groove 58. The sealing portion 59 is made of a resin material that is softer than the material on the outer peripheral side of the recessed groove 58 in the seat portion 50. As an example, a chemical resistant synthetic rubber material such as silicone rubber or urethane rubber can be used for the sealing portion 59. Since the sealing portion 59 is made of a soft resin material, the flange portion 34 is in surface contact with the sealing portion 59, so that the low concentration RI liquid does not leak from between the flange portion 34 and the seat portion 50.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a linear support 51 is formed to protrude from the upper surface of the support base 52 of the seat 50. The striate body support part 51 may be provided individually with respect to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b, or in common with the striatum model parts 10a and 10b. It may be provided. In the brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment, a pair of striatum support parts 51 are provided on a support base 52 corresponding to the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b, respectively.

  The striatum support part 51 is a part for fixing the striatum model parts 10a and 10b to the storage container 30 (specifically, the support base 52). In other words, the brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment includes the striatum support part 51 that fixes the striatum model parts 10 a and 10 b to the storage container 30.

  Next, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the mid-mesencephalon model part 90 will be described in detail. The striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the mid and diencephalon model part 90 each have a hollow shape. The middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of the present embodiment is configured by a midbrain model part 70.

  The RI solution is stored inside the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90). As the RI solution, a neurotransmitter function imaging agent labeled with a radionuclide can be used. The radionuclide contained in the RI liquid is not particularly limited, and a liquid containing a short half-life radionuclide generally used in nuclear medicine imaging can be used. Specific examples of the radionuclide include C-11, F-18, I-123, Tc-99m, and the like. As a liquid for dissolving these radionuclides, water, physiological saline, or a buffer solution such as sodium dihydrogen citrate can be used.

Among specific neurotransmitter function imaging agents, as a tracer of the dopaminergic nervous system, in addition to the above-mentioned [ ¹²³ I] ioflupan, [ ¹⁸ F] FDOPA, [ ¹¹ C] L-dopa, [ ¹¹ C] βCIT ^{, [123 I] βCIT, [} 11 C] CFT, [11 C] PE21, [18 F] FEPE21, [11 C] SCH23390, [11 C] NNC112, [11 C] ^raclopride, [11 C] ^FLB457, [ ¹¹ C] PHNO, [ ¹¹ C] MNPA, [ ^99m Tc] TRODAT can be used. In addition, as a tracer of serotonergic nervous system, [ ¹¹ C] McN5652, [ ¹¹ C] DASB, [ ¹¹ C] WAY-100635, [ ¹¹ C] NMSP, [ ¹⁸ F] altarinserine, etc. may be used. it can.
That is, the brain phantom 100 of this embodiment and the brain phantom 110 (see FIG. 8) to be described later are images of nuclear medicine images taken by a tracer of dopaminergic nervous system other than [ ¹²³ I] ioflupan or a tracer of serotonergic nervous system. It can also be used for evaluation.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment includes a pair of striatum model parts 10 a and 10 b simulating the left striatum and the right striatum respectively. The pair of linear body model parts 10a and 10b are detachably attached to the storage container 30, specifically, to the support base 52 of the seat part 50. By individually forming the striatum model parts 10a and 10b, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b can be individually replaced, so that the work of replacing the internal RI solution can be performed easily and quickly. Moreover, the relative direction of a pair of linear body model part 10a * 10b can also be changed freely.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the vicinity of the ends on the + Y side that are close to each other in the pair of striated model parts 10 a and 10 b, inside the pair of striated model parts 10 a and 10 b in the direction of alignment (± X direction). The bulging part 15 which bulges toward is formed, respectively. The bulging portion 15 is a portion imitating a caudate nucleus in a human striatum, more specifically a caudate nucleus head.

  FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the striated body model portion 10b, and FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the striated body model portion 10b. The striatum model part 10a (see FIG. 2) used together with the striatum model part 10b is mirror-symmetrical with the striatum model part 10b with respect to the YZ plane.

  The linear body model parts 10a and 10b each have a flat container part 14. The flat container portion 14 has a hollow shape, and imitates the shape and size of a human striatum. More specifically, the flat container portion 14 imitates the shape and size of a striate body including a human putamen and a caudate nucleus. The flat container portion 14 has a flat and substantially elliptical shape in which the maximum dimension (thickness dimension) in the cross section (XY plane) is smaller than the maximum dimension (height dimension) in the body axis direction (Z direction). . In the cross section (XY plane) shown in FIG. 2, the flat container parts 14 of the pair of linear body model parts 10a and 10b are arranged so as to be separated from each other and the major axes of the flat container parts 14 are inclined to each other. ing. In other words, the pair of flat container portions 14 are arranged in a truncated chevron shape that widens from the frontal side (+ Y side) toward the occipital side (−Y side).

  The linear body model parts 10a and 10b each have a hollow shape and have a liquid storage part 20 for filling with a radioactive liquid (RI liquid). More specifically, the striated body model portions 10a and 10b of the present embodiment each have the liquid storage portions 20 that are independent of each other, and have the liquid inlets 12 individually.

  The column portion 16 is a fixing portion for arranging the flat container portion 14 at a predetermined position with respect to the storage container 30. The column portion 16 is integrally formed with the flat container portion 14 of the linear body model portions 10a and 10b. The support column 16 of this embodiment is hollow, and the RI solution is stored together with the flat container portion 14. The column part 16 of the present embodiment has a tubular shape having a lumen 17 (see FIG. 2) communicating with the inside of the hollow flat container part 14. That is, the liquid storage part 20 of the present embodiment is formed inside the flat container part 14 and the column part 16. A plug 18 is attached to the liquid inlet 12 corresponding to the lower end opening of the support column 16 to seal the linear body model portions 10a and 10b.

  In the present embodiment, the striated body model portions 10a and 10b are exemplified as being formed separately, but instead, the striated body model portions 10a and 10b may be integrally formed. In this case, the liquid storage portions 20 of the striate body model portions 10a and 10b may communicate with each other, and the striate body model portions 10a and 10b may share one liquid inlet 12. And you may share the support | pillar part 16 by the linear body model part 10a * 10b.

  The linear body model portions 10a and 10b can be created by a three-dimensional molding method such as an optical modeling method using a photocurable resin material such as an epoxy resin. Specifically, the shape of the striate body model portions 10a and 10b is divided into tomographic data laminated in multiple layers in the Z direction, that is, the extending direction of the support column 16, and the photocurable resin material is photocured one by one. The linear body model portions 10a and 10b can be three-dimensionally laminated. Accordingly, the hollow bottom portion of the flat container portion 14 can be smoothly connected to the lumen 17 of the support column portion 16, and a hollow portion having a larger diameter than the lumen 17 can be formed inside the flat container portion 14. Can do.

  The internal volume of the linear body model parts 10a and 10b is not particularly limited. The internal volumes of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b can be determined based on an average nuclear medicine image regarding the striatum of the subject imaged using a nuclear medicine imaging device calibrated in advance. Specifically, the internal volume of each of the pair of striate body model portions 10a and 10b can be 10 ml or more and 20 ml or less.

  The brain phantom 100 (see FIG. 1) of the present embodiment includes a positioning structure for mounting the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b to the storage container 30 in a predetermined position and orientation. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, as the positioning structure, a first protrusion 118 and a second protrusion 119 are formed to protrude around the column portion 16. The first protrusion 118 protrudes from the support column 16 in the −Y direction, and the second protrusion 119 protrudes from the support column 16 in the + Y direction. The 1st protrusion 118 and the 2nd protrusion 119 are protrusions of a rectangular cross section, and the shape or dimension of a cross section differs mutually. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the strut 16, the first ridge 118, and the second ridge 119 are fitted together in the linear body support portion 51 erected on the support base 52. A lumen 53 is formed. Thus, when the support column 16 is inserted into the lumen 53 of the striatum support 51, the pair of flat container parts 14 of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b are placed in the storage container 30 in the predetermined position and orientation described above. Positioned against.

  FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the midbrain model portion 70, and FIG. 6B is a plan view of the midbrain model portion 70.

  The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) has a hollow shape and has a liquid storage part 76 for filling with a radioactive liquid (RI liquid). The liquid storage part 76 of the midbrain model part 70 is independent of the liquid storage part 20 of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b, and is independent of each other, and the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 are separated. And have liquid inlets 12 and 72 individually. Thereby, RI liquid with which the striatum model part 10a * 10b is filled and RI liquid with which the midbrain model part 70 is filled can be made into a different density | concentration.

  The midbrain model part 70 and the liquid storage part 76 of the present embodiment have a columnar shape extending in the Z direction, and are specifically cylindrical. In addition, the midbrain model unit 70 and the liquid storage unit 76 may be prismatic. Further, the outer shape of the midbrain model unit 70 and the shape of the liquid storage unit 76 may be different from each other.

  The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) is detachably provided to the brain phantom 100, specifically, the seat part 50 that closes the container 30. More specifically, the midbrain model part 70 (the mid / diencephalon model part 90) has a mid / diencephalon support part 74 that engages with the striatum support part 51. The middle / diencephalon support part 74 has an annular shape and is used by being attached to the outer periphery of the striatum support part 51. The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) has a pair of middle / diencephalon support parts 74 that engage with the pair of striatum support parts 51, respectively.

  The pair of annular middle / mesencephalon support portions 74 and the liquid storage portion 76 are connected by arm portions 78 respectively. As shown in FIG. 6B, the pair of arm portions 78 protrude from the liquid storage portion 76 in the + Y direction and intersect each other at an angle of about 90 degrees to about 120 degrees.

  The striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 (middle and diencephalon model part 90) are attached to the common striatum support part 51, and are connected to the human striatum and the midbrain. It is installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship. The midbrain model unit 70 is installed at a position anatomically corresponding to the human brain center. By attaching the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 to a common part (striatum support part 51) as in the present embodiment, a line resulting from the processing accuracy of the brain phantom 100 is obtained. The misalignment error between the striated model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 can be reduced.

  Specifically, the midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) is arranged between the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b and outside. In addition, the middle / mesencephalon model unit 90 of the present embodiment is a midbrain model unit installed at a relative position to the striatum model units 10a and 10b corresponding to the positional relationship of the midbrain with respect to the human striatum. 70. And at least a part of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 is a direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b. (Or in the Z direction). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the midbrain model portion 70 is arranged at a position overlapping with the striatum model portions 10 a and 10 b in the Y direction. Specifically, in the cross section (XY plane) shown in FIG. 3, the center position of the midbrain model portion 70 is the tip in the + Y direction of the striatum model portions 10a and 10b (that is, the anatomically human tail). (Position corresponding to the end of the nuclei) from 40 mm to 50 mm in a position retracted in the −Y direction. The above-described position of the midbrain model portion 70 in the cross section can be the center position of the head simulated by the brain phantom 100. Also, with respect to the Z direction, the height dimension of the midbrain model part 70 (Z) so that the partial height of the upper part of the midbrain model part 70 overlaps the liquid storage part 20 of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b. Dimension) and installation height are set. The installation height of the midbrain model unit 70 can be determined based on an average nuclear medicine image of a large number of subjects. Specifically, a height position lowered in the −Z direction within a range of 20 mm or more and 25 mm or less from a height position (Z position) at which the observation area of the striatum becomes the maximum in the cross-sectional image is the midbrain model portion 70. It can be the upper end. Specific dimensions of the midbrain model portion 70 will be described later.

  The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) is relative to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the relative positions corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain, and the relative It is provided to be able to transition to a retreat position different from the position.

  FIG. 7 is a plan view of the seat portion 50 in a state where the striatum model portions 10a and 10b are attached and the midbrain model portion 70 (medium / diencephalon model portion 90) is removed. The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) can be attached to and detached from the striatum model parts 10a and 10b. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, in addition to performing various evaluations of the nuclear medicine imaging apparatus using all of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 (medium and diencephalon model part 90). The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) can be withdrawn from the striatum model parts 10a and 10b for various evaluations. For this reason, the evaluation result when the influence is taken into consideration using the midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90), and without using the midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) It is possible to easily compare the case where the influence is ignored. The brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment has a striatum model part 10 a that is supported by the striatum support part 51 by allowing the middle / diencephalon support part 74 to be detachable from the striatum support part 51. The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) can be attached to and detached from 10b. In addition, instead of making the midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) detachable from the striatum model parts 10a and 10b, the midbrain model as in a second embodiment to be described later. The unit 70 (medium / diencephalon model unit 90) may be movable in any direction with respect to the striatum model units 10a and 10b.

  A part of the annular middle / diencephalon support part 74 projects in the + Z direction to form a fastening part 77. The fastening portion 77 is formed on the outer side of each of the pair of middle / diencephalon support portions 74 in the ± X direction. A hole 79 is formed in the fastening portion 77. The depth direction of the hole 79 is the ± X direction.

  The liquid storage part 76 is provided with an injection tube 73 that protrudes on the opposite side of the arm part 78. The tip of the injection tube 73 corresponds to the liquid injection port 72. A plug 80 is detachably attached to the liquid inlet 72 and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2 or 4, the striatum support part 51 holds the strut part 16 of the striatum model parts 10 a and 10 b and the middle and diencephalon support part 74 of the middle / diencephalon model part 90. The lower end of the strut 16 is inserted into the lumen 53 of the striatum support 51, and the middle / mesencephalon support 74 is attached to the outer periphery of the striatum support 51. A side hole 54 is formed in the linear body support portion 51 in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction of the support column portion 16, specifically, in the ± X direction. The side hole 54 is a through hole that reaches the lumen 53 of the striatum support 51. A fixing screw 55 (see FIG. 2) is screwed into the side hole 54. By attaching the middle / diencephalon support 74 to the outer periphery of the striatum support 51 and inserting the support screw 16 into the lumen 53 and screwing the fixing screw 55 into the side hole 54, the fixing screw 55 is The strut part 16 is pressed against the striatum support part 51 through the hole 79 of the middle / diencephalon model part 90. As a result, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 are detachably fixed to the seat part 50 (striatum support part 51).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid injection port 72 of the midbrain model unit 70 (medium / diencephalon model unit 90) is opposite to the striatum model units 10 a and 10 b while being fixed to the seat 50. It is provided so as to protrude (downward in the figure). Thereby, when evaluating a nuclear medicine image using the striatum model parts 10a and 10b as a region of interest, errors due to the influence of the injection tube 73 and the plug 80 can be reduced.

  The middle / mesencephalon model unit 90 of the present embodiment is a midbrain phantom that simulates the position of the midbrain and / or the diencephalon, and can be attached to the brain phantom 100. As described above, the brain phantom 100 includes the hollow striatum model parts 10a and 10b that are used to evaluate the nuclear medicine image of the human head and imitate the position and shape of the human striatum. Yes. The middle / mesencephalon model part (medium / mesencephalon phantom) 90 of the present embodiment has a hollow shape, a liquid inlet 72 for injecting radioactive liquid (RI liquid), and a striatum model part. The middle / mesencephalon support part 74 for installing in 10a * 10b in the relative position corresponding to the positional relationship of a human striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon is provided.

  More specifically, the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of this embodiment is a midbrain model part (midbrain phantom) 70. The midbrain model part (midbrain phantom) 70 is installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain with respect to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b.

  The midbrain model part 70 (medium / diencephalon model part 90) is formed by three-dimensional molding such as stereolithography using a photocurable resin material such as an epoxy resin, similarly to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b. It can be created by the method. Thereby, the liquid storage part 76, the injection tube 73, the arm part 78, and the middle / diencephalon support part 74 of the midbrain model part 70 (middle / diencephalon model part 90) can be integrally molded. However, instead of the above manufacturing method, the midbrain model part 70 (the middle / middle brain model part) is formed by bonding and joining the injection tube 73 and the arm part 78 created as separate members to the cylindrical liquid storage part 76. 90) may be created.

  The brain phantom 100 is exchanged by applying that the middle / mesencephalon model part (medium / mesencephalon phantom) 90 of the present embodiment can be attached to and detached from the storage container 30 (specifically, the seat part 50). A plurality of midbrain model portions 70 that can be mounted and have different internal volumes may be provided. That is, the brain phantom 100 of this embodiment can be provided as a set including a plurality of midbrain model units 70.

The shapes and dimensions of the liquid reservoirs 76 of the plurality of midbrain model units 70 can be determined based on average nuclear medicine images related to the midbrains of many subjects. The liquid reservoir 76 in one of the plurality of midbrain model units 70 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 15 mm to 20 mm and a height of 18 mm to 25 mm based on the average dimensions of the midbrain of an adult healthy person. be able to. In addition, the liquid reservoir 76 in the other midbrain model part 70 is the degree of [ ¹²³ I] ioflupan accumulation in the midbrain of persons with Lewy Body Dementia (DLB) or those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Therefore, it is possible to make the cylinder smaller in diameter than the one midbrain model portion 70. Specifically, the diameter of the liquid reservoir 76 in the other midbrain model part 70 can be 12 mm or more and 14 mm or less, and the height can be the same as that of the one midbrain model part 70.

That is, the plurality of midbrain model portions 70 can be columnar, have a common height dimension, and have different thickness dimensions. As a result, when one midbrain model part 70 having a large thickness is used, [ ¹²³ I] ioflupan can be used in healthy persons, Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, essential tremor (ET) patients, and the like. It is possible to evaluate a nuclear medicine image of a subject that accumulates well in the midbrain. On the other hand, when the other midbrain model part 70 having a small thickness dimension is used, [ ¹²³ in the midbrain, such as those with Lewy body dementia (DLB) or those with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). I] Nuclear medicine images of subjects in cases where accumulation of ioflupan is reduced can be evaluated.

  As described above, the brain phantom 100 according to the present embodiment is used for evaluating a nuclear medicine image of a human head, and includes the container 30 and the middle / middle brain model unit 90. The container 30 has a hollow portion 40 inside, and imitates at least a part of the cerebrum. The hollow middle / diencephalon model part 90 has a liquid inlet 72 for injecting a radioactive liquid (RI liquid), and is located inside the cavity part 40 and imitates the midbrain and / or the diencephalon. Installed. The middle / diencephalon model part 90 is detachable from the storage container 30.

  In such a brain phantom 100, the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 can be attached to and detached from the storage container 30, so that the operation of injecting the RI solution into the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 is easy. In addition, when the nuclear medicine image is taken a plurality of times by changing the form of the middle / diencephalon model unit 90 or the radioactivity concentration of the RI solution, the middle / diencephalon is taken from the brain phantom 100 after each photographing. In parallel with the work of exchanging the model part 90, it is possible to pre-fill other meso-mesencephalon model parts 90 with the RI solution.

  An example of how to use the brain phantom 100 will be described. First, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 storing the RI liquid are fixed to the seat part 50, and the seat part 50 is attached to the flange part 34. Next, the low-concentration RI solution is stored in the cavity 40 of the container 30 through the liquid supply ports 33a and 33b, and the liquid supply ports 33a and 33b are closed with the plug bodies 37a to 37c. The brain phantom 100 is fixed to a headrest (not shown) of a nuclear medicine image capturing apparatus, and this is photographed with a dedicated camera to collect nuclear medicine images.

Nuclear medicine images may be taken a plurality of times. For example, by changing the radioactivity concentration of the RI solution contained in the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and taking nuclear medicine images, respectively, a healthy model that imitates the striatum of a healthy person, and a brain dysfunction patient A nuclear medicine image can be compared with a pathological model that mimics the striatum. Thus, when a nuclear medicine image is taken a plurality of times, the seat portion 50 is removed from the flange portion 34 in a state where the brain phantom 100 is inverted with the projection portion 35 as a leg, and the striatum model portion 10a. 10b and the middle / diencephalon model 90 are pulled up from the cavity 40. As a result, almost the entire amount of the low-concentration RI solution remains inside the storage container 30. Next, from the seat part 50 removed from the flange part 34, the fixing screw 55 is loosened, and the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and / or the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 are removed. The RI solution stored in the striatum model units 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model unit 90 is exchanged, or the other striatum model units 10a and 10b and the middle / between in which the RI solution is stored in advance. After replacing the brain model part 90, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 are fixed to the seat part 50 again. Then, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 are inserted into the cavity part 40 and immersed in the RI solution, and the opening 42 of the cavity part 40 is closed by the seat part 50.
Through the above process, according to the brain phantom 100 of the present embodiment, the RI liquid stored in the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 can be quickly collected without discarding the low concentration RI liquid. The components and concentrations can be changed, or the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 can be changed to different shapes.

<Second embodiment>
FIG. 8 is an upper perspective view showing the brain phantom 110 of the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In the brain phantom 110 of the present embodiment, the middle / diencephalon model part 90 (the midbrain model part 70) is in a positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain with respect to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b. It is common with the brain phantom 100 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment in that the corresponding relative position and a retracted position different from the relative position are provided so as to be able to transit. The brain phantom 110 of the present embodiment is the first embodiment in that the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 (middle brain model part 70) is movable with respect to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and is not detachable. Is different.

  Specifically, the middle / mesencephalon support portion 74 of the present embodiment has a plate shape, and is slidably attached to the strut portions 16 of the striatum model portions 10a and 10b in these extending directions. Yes. The middle / diencephalon model part 90 (midbrain model part 70) is fixed to the upper surface of the plate-like middle / diencephalon support part 74. The injection tube 73 protrudes in the −Z direction from the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 (medium brain model part 70), and penetrates the plate-like middle / mesencephalon support part 74.

  The container 30 has a closed, substantially spherical shell shape, and can be filled with a low-concentration RI solution through a liquid supply port (not shown). The liquid inlet 12 that opens to the lower end of the strut portion 16 of the striatum model portions 10a and 10b and the liquid inlet 72 that opens to the lower end of the middle / diencephalon support portion 74 are exposed to the outside of the container 30. . The strut portions 16 of the linear body model portions 10a and 10b are fixed to the container 30. The injection tube 73 is slidable with respect to the container 30 in a liquid-tight manner. With the low-concentration RI solution stored in the container 30, the middle / mesencephalon support part 74 is driven to move up and down the injection tube 73 of the middle / middle brain model part 90 (middle brain model part 70). It slides with respect to the plurality of column portions 16 of the portions 10a and 10b. As a result, when the injection tube 73 is raised, the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 (middle brain model part 70) comes close to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b, and the positions of the human striatum and the middle brain The relative position corresponding to the relationship is reached. On the contrary, when the injection tube 73 is lowered, the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 (middle brain model part 70) is separated from the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and reaches the retracted position.

  As in the present embodiment, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 are not detachable from the storage container 30, and may not be separated.

<Third embodiment>
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the seat portion 50 to which the middle / mesencephalon model portion 90 and the striatum model portions 10a and 10b are mounted according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10A is a plan view of the middle / mesencephalon model portion 90 of this embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a front view thereof.

  The middle / diencephalon model unit 90 includes a midbrain model unit 70 installed in a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain with respect to the striatum model units 10a and 10b. A mesencephalon model portion 92 installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the striatum and the diencephalon.

  The midbrain model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92 have hollow shapes, respectively, and have liquid storage parts 76 and 94 for filling with a radioactive liquid (RI liquid).

  The mesencephalon model part 92 can be formed in a cylindrical shape like the midbrain model part 70. The dimension and volume of the hollow liquid storage part 94 formed inside the diencephalon model part 92 can be set to be approximately the same as the average dimension and volume of the human brain (adult adult). More specifically, the mesencephalon of humans (adult adults) is larger in size and volume than the midbrain. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, the midbrain model part 92 (liquid storage part 94) of this embodiment is formed in a cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the midbrain model part 70 (liquid storage part 76). The height dimension of the midbrain model part 92 (liquid storage part 94) may be larger than or substantially equal to the height dimension of the midbrain model part 70 (liquid storage part 76). The mesencephalon model part 92 and the midbrain model part 70 are arranged coaxially, and the mesencephalon model part 92 is arranged above the + midbrain model part 70 (+ Z side).

  The mesencephalon model part 70 and the mesencephalon model part 92 constituting the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 may be provided integrally with each other, or may be provided separately as separate members. Among these, the mesencephalon model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92 of this embodiment are formed integrally with each other, and are engaged with the striatum support part 51 by the common mesencephalon support part 74. Thereby, the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 can be accommodated inside the accommodation container 30 (see FIG. 1) in a space-saving manner without interfering with the striatum model parts 10a and 10b.

  The midbrain model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92 are arranged between the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b and outside. At least a part of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the midbrain model part 70 is in a direction (Y direction or Z direction) orthogonal to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b. In the direction). Similarly, at least a part of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the diencephalon model part 92 is in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction (X direction) of the pair of striatum model parts 10a and 10b (Y direction) In the direction or the Z direction).

  In the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of the present embodiment, the liquid storage part 76 of the midbrain model part 70 and the liquid storage part 94 of the diencephalon model part 92 communicate with each other. In the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of the present embodiment, the volume of the liquid storage part 76 of the midbrain model part 70 is set substantially the same as the volume of the midbrain of a human (adult healthy person). The volume of the liquid storage part 94 of the diencephalon model part 92 is set substantially equal to the volume of the mesencephalon. However, instead of this, the total volume of the liquid reservoirs 76 and 94 of the midbrain model unit 70 and the diencephalon model unit 92 is set to the average volume of the midbrain and the average of the diencephalon of a human (adult healthy person). It may be set to the same level as the total with the correct volume. The diencephalon model portion 92 may have a cylindrical shape having the same diameter and the same axis as the midbrain model portion 70. In other words, the midbrain model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92 may be combined to form a single cylinder.

  The liquid reservoirs 76 and 94 of the midbrain model unit 70 and the diencephalon model unit 92 are provided with a common liquid inlet 72. Accordingly, the RI solution can be filled into the midbrain model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92 through the liquid injection port 72. The liquid injection port 72 is provided so as to protrude to the opposite side (−Y side) with respect to the striatum model parts 10a and 10b in a state where the middle / diencephalon model part 90 is fixed to the seat part 50.

  Fig.11 (a) is a top view of the mid-brain model part 90 concerning the modification of 3rd embodiment, FIG.11 (b) is the front view.

  The middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of the present modification is configured in that the liquid storage part 94 of the diencephalon model part 92 and the liquid storage part 76 of the midbrain model part 70 are separated from each other and are not communicated with each other. This is different from the third embodiment (see FIG. 10). An injection tube 96 is provided in the mesencephalon model portion 92, and a liquid injection port 95 opened at the tip of the injection tube 96 communicates with the inside of the liquid storage portion 94.

  By configuring the mesencephalon model part 92 and the mesencephalon model part 70 so as not to communicate with each other as in the middle / mesencephalon model part 90 of this modification, the inside of the mesencephalon model part 70 and the mesencephalon model part 92 are different. A concentration of RI solution can be injected. Thereby, for example, the diencephalon model portion 92 can be filled with a high concentration RI solution, and the midbrain model portion 70 can be filled with a low concentration RI solution. Thereby, the influence of the midbrain model part 70 can be excluded, and various evaluations of the nuclear medicine imaging apparatus can be performed using the human mesencephalon and the striatum as the region of interest. Conversely, the diencephalon model portion 92 can be filled with a low concentration RI solution, and the midbrain model portion 70 can be filled with a high concentration RI solution. Thereby, the influence of the diencephalon model part 92 can be excluded, and various evaluations of the nuclear medicine imaging apparatus can be performed using the human mesencephalon and the striatum as the region of interest.

  According to the mid-mesencephalon model part 90 according to the third embodiment and the modification thereof, the human striatal body and the mid-brain are set as the regions of interest by including the mid-brain model part 70 and the diencephalon model part 92. In addition to the various evaluations in the case, various evaluations can be performed when the striatum and the diencephalon are the regions of interest, or when the striatum, the midbrain and the diencephalon are all the regions of interest.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and includes various modifications and improvements as long as the object of the present invention is achieved.

  In the first and second embodiments, the liquid storage unit 20 of the striatum model units 10a and 10b and the liquid storage unit 76 of the midbrain model unit 70 and the liquid storage unit 94 of the diencephalon model unit 92 are not in communication with each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The pair of liquid reservoirs 20 of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the liquid reservoir 76 of the midbrain model part 70, or the pair of liquid reservoirs 20 and the diencephalon model part 92 of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b. The liquid reservoirs 94 may communicate with each other. The striatum model parts 10a and 10b and the middle / diencephalon model part 90 may share a liquid injection port (reference numeral omitted).

  Further, in the brain phantom 100 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the striatum model parts 10a and 10b, the middle / diencephalon model part 90, and the storage container 30 are integrally assembled with each other. Not limited to. The striatum model parts 10a and 10b, the mid / diencephalon model part 90, and the container 30 may be provided in a state of being separated from each other.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 8, the liquid storage part 20 corresponding to a putamen and a caudate nucleus may be separately provided in each of the striatum model parts 10a and 10b.

  The various components of the brain phantoms 100 and 110 and the mid / diencephalon model part 90 of the present invention do not have to be independent of each other. A plurality of components are formed as one member, a component is formed of a plurality of members, one component is a part of another component, and one component is And a part of other components are allowed to overlap.

The above embodiment includes the following technical idea.
(1) A brain phantom used for evaluation of a nuclear medicine image of a human head, a container having a hollow portion therein, a human striatum, a midbrain inside the hollow portion, and And / or a striatum model part and a middle / mesencephalon model part installed at a relative position corresponding to a positional relationship with the diencephalon, and the striatum model part and the middle / mesencephalon model part, Each brain phantom has a hollow shape and has a liquid inlet for injecting radioactive liquid.
(2) The brain phantom according to (1), wherein each of the striatum model part and the middle / mesencephalon model part includes the liquid inlet and a liquid storage part independent of each other.
(3) The brain phantom according to the above (1) or (2), wherein the liquid injection port of the mid-mesencephalon model part is provided so as to protrude on the opposite side to the striatum model part.
(4) A pair of the striatum model parts simulating the left striatum and the right striatum are provided, and the middle / mesencephalon model part is disposed between and outside the pair of striatum model parts. The mid-mesencephalon model part includes a midbrain model part installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship of the midbrain with respect to the human striatum with respect to the striatum model part, The above (1), wherein at least a part of the striatum model part and the midbrain model part are arranged so as to overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to an arrangement direction of the pair of striatum model parts. To the brain phantom according to any one of (3).
(5) In the above (4), the middle / mesencephalon model part is provided to be capable of transitioning to the relative position and a retracted position different from the relative position with respect to the striatum model part. Brain phantom.
(6) The brain phantom according to (5) above, wherein the middle / diencephalon model part is detachably provided.
(7) The brain phantom according to (6), wherein the brain phantom includes a plurality of the midbrain model parts that can be exchanged and mounted and have different internal volumes.
(8) The brain phantom as described in (7) above, wherein the plurality of midbrain model parts have a columnar shape, have a common height dimension, and have different thickness dimensions.
(9) The brain phantom according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the striatum model part is detachably provided.
(10) A striatum support part for fixing the striatum model part to the receiving container, wherein the middle / mesencephalon model part is a middle / mesencephalon support part engaged with the striatum support part The brain phantom according to any one of (1) to (9) above.
(11) A pair of the striatum model parts imitating the left striatum and the right striatum respectively, and a pair of the striatum support parts for fixing the pair of striatum model parts to the storage container, respectively. The brain phantom according to (10), wherein the middle / mesencephalon model portion has a pair of the middle / mesencephalon support portions that engage with the pair of striatal support portions, respectively.
(12) The cavity has an opening, the opening is closed by a seat so as to be opened and closed, and the striatal model and the middle / mesencephalon model are attached to the seat. The brain phantom according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein the brain phantom is configured to be removable from an opening.
(13) The mid-mesencephalon model unit is installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain with respect to the striatum model unit, and a human The brain phantom according to any one of (1) to (12), further including a diencephalon model portion installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the striatum and the diencephalon.
(14) Subordinate to (10) above, wherein the midbrain model part and the diencephalon model part are formed integrally with each other, and are engaged with the striatum support part by the common mid / diencephalon support part ( The brain phantom according to 13).
(15) A mid-to-mesencephalon phantom that can be attached to a brain phantom that is used to evaluate a nuclear medicine image of a human head and has a hollow striatum model part that simulates the position and shape of a human striatum It has a hollow shape and corresponds to the positional relationship between a liquid inlet for injecting a radioactive liquid and the human striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon with respect to the striatum model part. A mid-mesencephalon phantom having a mid-mesencephalon support for placement in a relative position.
(16) A brain phantom used for evaluating a nuclear medicine image of a human head, a container having a hollow portion inside and imitating at least a part of the cerebrum, and a liquid for injecting a radioactive liquid A hollow-shaped middle / mesencephalon model part installed at a position imitating the midbrain and / or diencephalon inside the hollow part, Can be attached to and detached from the container.

10a, 10b Linear body model part 12 Liquid inlet 14 Flat container part 15 Swelling part 16 Strut part 17 Lumen 18 Plug body 20 Liquid storage part 30 Container 32 Upper base 33a, 33b Liquid supply port 34 Flange part 35 Projection Part 36 cylindrical part 37a-37c plug body 40 cavity part 42 opening 50 seat part 51 striatum support part 52 support base 53 lumen 54 side hole 55 fixing screw 57 screw hole 58 concave groove 59 sealing part 62 cranial bone member 64 O-ring 70 Middle brain model part 72 Liquid injection port 73 Injection pipe 74 Middle / diencephalon support part 76 Liquid storage part 77 Fastening part 78 Arm part 79 Hole 80 Plug 90 Middle / diencephalon model part 92 Diencephalon model part 94 Liquid storage part 95 Liquid injection port 96 Injection pipes 100 and 110 Brain phantom 118 First protrusion 119 Second protrusion

Claims (14)

A brain phantom used for evaluating nuclear medicine images of the human head,
A storage container having a hollow portion therein;
A pair of lines imitating the left striatum and the right striatum installed in relative positions corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon within the cavity. A midbrain model part disposed between and outside the striatal model part and the pair of striatal model parts, and
The mid-brain model part includes a midbrain model part installed at a relative position corresponding to the positional relation of the midbrain with respect to the human striatum with respect to the striatum model part,
At least a part of the striatum model part and the midbrain model part are arranged so as to overlap each other in a direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction of the pair of striatum model parts,
A brain phantom in which the striatum model part and the middle / diencephalon model part each have a hollow shape and have a liquid inlet for injecting a radioactive liquid.   2. The brain phantom according to claim 1, wherein the striatal model portion and the middle / diencephalon model portion each have the liquid injection port and a liquid storage portion that is independent of each other in communication.   3. The brain phantom according to claim 1, wherein the liquid injection port of the mid-mesencephalon model part is provided so as to protrude on the opposite side to the striatum model part. 2. The brain phantom according to claim 1 , wherein the middle / mesencephalic model part is provided so as to be capable of transitioning to the relative position and a retracted position different from the relative position with respect to the striatum model part. The brain phantom according to claim 4 , wherein the mid-brain model part is detachably provided. The brain phantom according to claim 5 , comprising a plurality of the midbrain model parts that can be exchanged and mounted and have different internal volumes. The brain phantom according to claim 6 , wherein the plurality of midbrain model parts have a columnar shape, have a common height dimension, and have different thickness dimensions. The brain phantom according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the striatum model part is detachably provided. Comprising a striatum support part for fixing the striatum model part to the container;
The brain phantom according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , wherein the mid-mesencephalon model part has a mid-mesencephalon support part that engages with the striatum support part. A pair of said striatum model parts imitating the left striatum and the right striatum respectively;
A pair of the striatum support parts for fixing the pair of striatum model parts to the storage container, respectively,
The brain phantom according to claim 9 , wherein the mid / diencephalon model part has a pair of the mid / diencephalon support parts engaged with the pair of striatal support parts, respectively. The cavity has an opening;
The opening is closed by a seat so as to be opened and closed,
The brain phantom according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the striatum model part and the mid-mesencephalon model part are configured to be able to be inserted and removed from the opening in a state of being attached to the seat part. . The mid-mesencephalon model part is located relative to the striatum model part in a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain, and the human striatum model part. The brain phantom according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , further comprising: a mesencephalon model part installed at a relative position corresponding to a positional relationship between the body and the diencephalon. It said inter-brain model part and the brain model part is formed integrally with each other, according to claim 12 dependent on claim 9 engaging said umbilical member supporting portion by a common said in-between the brain supporting portion Brain phantom. The brain according to any one of claims 1 to 13, further comprising a hollow striatum model part that is used for evaluation of a nuclear medicine image of a human head and imitates a position and shape of a human striatum. A mid-brain phantom that can be attached to the phantom,
It has a hollow shape, a liquid inlet for injecting radioactive liquid, and a relative position corresponding to the positional relationship between the human striatum and the midbrain and / or diencephalon with respect to the striatum model part A mid / diencephalon phantom having a mid / diencephalon support for installation.

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