Project 13: Antropomorphic phantoms for upright treatment validation

Enrollment: Ruprecht-Karls-Universitaet Heidelberg

Host institution: Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg

Planned secondments

1. Czech Technical University (Prague)
2. Loughborough University, Leo Cancer Care (UK)
3. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Germany)

Supervisor

Armin Runz

Co-Supervisor

Oliver Jäkel

Project description

We are offering an exciting research task for a PhD thesis in the above-mentioned subject areas in the medical physics department in radiotherapy physics. As part of this work, a dynamic anthropomorphic abdomen phantom is to be developed that has the ability to simulate patient-equivalent properties for upright patient postures, including 4D CT and MRI imaging with which breathing movements can be displayed. Radiation planning is to be created for a target volume and dosimetric evaluation is to be carried out using the measurement techniques integrated in the model.

Tasks:

Design of an abdomen phantom using CAD software Inventor and design software Geomagic Freeform.

Implementation of the concept in a real model.

Testing of reproducible breath-induced movement sequences that the phantom is supposed to depict using CT and MRI imaging

Planning, measuring and analyzing the dose distribution on the phantom according to the treatment plan.

Documentation of the development steps that enables certification of the final product for commercialization.

What we offer:

The medical technology working group has 10 years of experience in the development of anthropomorphic phantoms and has extensive technology for manufacturing, such as industrial 3D printers with different printing processes and direct access to the precision mechanics workshop of the DKFZ.

Support from experienced supervisors and a large team working in this research area

An innovative environment that combines practical applications in medical physics with the latest technology.
All technologies required for this project to carry out the therapy chain, from imaging, radiation planning and dosimetry, are available in the immediate vicinity.

Pit Arend

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg

Hi, I’m Pit Arend from Luxembourg. I studied Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering at ETH Zurich. When I’m not working on my research, I enjoy restoring old Vespas and playing basketball.

I’m currently pursuing my PhD at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, under the supervision of Armin Runz, who leads the Medical Engineering Group. Together, we’re developing an anthropomorphic phantom for upright radiotherapy as part of the UPLIFT project.

I chose this project because it combines several exciting fields. It brings together engineering, 3D printing, medical imaging, and design, offering an incredible opportunity to learn and grow.

My goal is to build a realistic, human-like phantom that supports the development of new technologies in upright radiotherapy.

What motivates me most is the truly multidisciplinary nature of this work and the UPLIFT project gives me a front-row seat to the innovations emerging at the intersection of medicine, physics and engineering.

Additional:

Pit Arend | LinkedIn

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg

Projects:

Project 13: Antropomorphic phantoms for upright treatment validation

DKFZ is the largest biomedical research institute in Germany and a member of the Helmholtz Association of National Research Centers. In more than 100 divisions and research groups, our more than 3,000 employees, of which more than 1,200 are scientists, are investigating the mechanisms of cancer, are identifying cancer risk factors and are trying to find strategies to prevent people from getting cancer. They are developing novel approaches to make tumor diagnosis more precise and treatment of cancer patients more successful.

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