title: 3D printing of MRI compatible components: why every MRI research group should have a low-budget 3D printer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate low budget 3D printing technology to create MRI compatible components.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3D printer is used to create customized MRI compatible components, a loop-coil platform and a multipart mouse fixation. The mouse fixation is custom fit for a dedicated coil and facilitates head fixation with bite bar, anesthetic gas supply and biomonitoring sensors. The mouse fixation was tested in a clinical 3T scanner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All parts were successfully printed and proved MR compatible. Both design and printing were accomplished within a few days and the final print results were functional with well defined details and accurate dimensions (Δ<0.4mm). MR images of the mouse head clearly showed reduced motion artifacts, ghosting and signal loss when using the fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have demonstrated that a low budget 3D printer can be used to quickly progress from a concept to a functional device at very low production cost. While 3D printing technology does impose some restrictions on model geometry, additive printing technology can create objects with complex internal structures that can otherwise not be created by using lathe technology. Thus, we consider a 3D printer a valuable asset for MRI research groups.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Group, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Center of Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Philosophenweg 3, Building 5, 07743 Jena, Germany. Electronic address: Karl-Heinz.Herrmann@med.uni-jena.de.
authors.forename: Karl-Heinz
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Herrmann
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Group, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Center of Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Philosophenweg 3, Building 5, 07743 Jena, Germany; Ernst-Abbe-Fachhochschule Jena, Jena Carl-Zeiss-Promenade 2, 07745 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Clemens
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gärtner
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Group, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Center of Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Philosophenweg 3, Building 5, 07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Güllmar
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Group, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Center of Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Philosophenweg 3, Building 5, 07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Krämer
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Group, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology I, Center of Radiology, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Philosophenweg 3, Building 5, 07743 Jena, Germany.
authors.forename: Jürgen R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Reichenbach
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D051379:Mice; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012106:Research / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: 3D printer, MRI, CAD, fixation; Small animal imaging