Human Voxel Models
Keywords
Voxel,model,realistic,MIRD-type,physiognomy
Challenge
Voxel models constructed from image data of living persons offer an anatomically realistic representation of the human body and therefore an improvement to MIRD-type models. Computational models of the human body can be applied to all kinds of dose calculations, e.g. the ICRP is using voxel models for future dose calculations. The availability of voxel models from medical image data of real persons is increasing as well as their widespread use at various research institutes all over the world. However, existing voxel models are limited with respect to representing average populations, since they have individual organ topology and organ masses.
Technology
To cover the whole range of human physiognomy a representative group of voxel models was developed at the Helmholtz Zentrum München (German Research Center for Environ-mental Health). They are based on CT or MRT image data of patients, consisting of about 2-5 million voxels. Whole or partial body models comprising 60-130 different organs and tissues are available. There are further models in preparation, such as a pregnant woman and an 8-year old child. The voxel models are successfully used to evaluate the impact of the human body on calculated organ doses from ionising radiation. However, these models are also suitable for an adaptation towards other environmental parameters or e.g., for calculation of the impact of pressure or mechanical force on the human body.
Commercial Opportunity
Human voxel datasets are available for in-licensing.
Further Reading
N Petoussi-Henss, M Zankl, U Fill and D Regulla (2002) Phys. Med. Biol., Vol. 47, p. 89-106
Zankl et al. (2003) Radiation Protection Dosimetry, Vol. 105, p. 539-48