Russian scientists develop comprehensive database for medical training materials

RUSSIA— Scientists at the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine in Moscow have created MosMedMaterial, an extensive database that gathers detailed information on 42 materials—23 solid and 19 liquid—used to make medical phantoms.

Medical phantoms are realistic models of human organs and tissues used for training doctors and testing medical devices.

The database is designed to be continuously updated as new materials are developed or more data becomes available.

The goal of this project is to support the development of advanced medical training simulators not only in Moscow but throughout Russia.

 According to Yuri Vasilev, Chief Consultant for Diagnostic Imaging at the Moscow Health Care Department, this new database is a valuable tool for doctors and researchers.

It compiles essential data on materials suitable for producing realistic phantom models, allowing Russian specialists to manufacture these models independently, without needing to rely on foreign suppliers.

Vasilev emphasized that this initiative represents a significant step toward technological independence.

It is expected to improve the quality of medical education and contribute to the progress of medical science in the country.

The Moscow research team carefully evaluated each material’s ability to imitate specific human organs or tissues across various imaging technologies such as CT scans, MRI, and ultrasound.

For solid materials, they also tested mechanical properties like flexibility and strength to ensure the models behave like real tissues.

To make the database easy to use, the scientists developed software that allows users to search for materials based on organ type or specific material properties.

Additionally, an interactive 3D atlas is in development, which will let users visually explore the materials alongside their biological counterparts using a 3D human model.

Anton Vladzymyrskyy, Deputy Director for Research and Development at the Center and a medical doctor with advanced degrees, explained that currently, phantom developers in Russia and worldwide often rely on lengthy and costly trial-and-error methods to select materials.

Many research teams lack the resources to test materials across multiple imaging methods.

The Center’s laboratory has conducted thorough studies, including mechanical testing, to ensure materials not only look accurate under different scans but also physically behave like real tissues.

This is crucial for effective training of future doctors, as realistic models provide better hands-on experience.

The database highlights some materials that show multimodal properties, meaning they can accurately mimic tissues across several imaging techniques.

This discovery is promising for creating multimodal phantoms, which are especially useful for training physicians in diagnosing complex diseases using different diagnostic tools.

Founded in 1996, the Center for Diagnostics and Telemedicine is a leading institution within Moscow’s healthcare system.

It focuses on integrating artificial intelligence in medicine, improving diagnostic imaging, managing medical departments, conducting research, educating healthcare professionals, and creating realistic organ models.

So far, the Center has developed 12 medical phantoms, including its latest innovation—a liver phantom embedded in soft tissue, which further demonstrates their expertise in this field.

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