Zoomorphic mouse phantom for applications in small animals PET scanner: initial tests

In laboratory practice, quality control tests are tests of safety and performance carried out routinely to verify if the conditions of the equipment are satisfactory, complying with national and international standards, resolutions and reference values established during acceptance tests. Results of quality control tests permit to attest the good performance of the equipment or the need for corrective maintenance. Such tests must be carried out following a pre-established frequency and schedule and their results must be recorded. In this context, the adoption of quality assurance programs related to PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scanners is essential for a correct interpretation of molecular images. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) in USA published, in 2008, a specific document that proposed a standardized methodology for evaluating the performance of small animal PET scanner: the NEMA Publication NU 4/2008. Some standardize test uses specific phantoms, with cylindrical geometry, to simulate rodents - mice and/or rats. In this context, the development of phantoms that mimic the anatomy of the animals studied means an evolution in the use of simulators for applications in small animals PET imaging. Recently, our group started to work at this topic. In this paper we present the results of initial tests using a zoomorphic mouse phantom made by our group using a 3D printer. (author)