Digital Zebrafish Phantom based on Micro-CT Data for Imaging Research

Numerical simulations, including Monte Carlo techniques, are a powerful tool for characterising, evaluating and optimising medical imaging devices and techniques. A vital aspect of simulations is to have a realistic phantom or model of the subject's anatomy. The present work describes the measurement and image processing strategies that lead to a computer phantom of a zebrafish (Danio rerio), based on ex-vivo micro-CT scans. Different fixation methods were investigated. The fixation in formalin lead to the best soft-tissue contrast while preventing the fish from drying. A preliminary digital zebrafish model is presented here.