Infants and young children modeling method for numerical dosimetry studies: application to plane wave exposure
Résumé
Numerical dosimetry studies require the development of accurate
numerical 3D models of the human body. This paper proposes a novel method
for building 3D heterogeneous young children models combining results obtained
from a semi-automatic multi-organ segmentation algorithm and an anatomy
deformation method. The data consist of 3D Magnetic Resonance Images, which
are first segmented to obtain a set of initial tissues. A deformation procedure
guided by the segmentation results is then developed in order to obtain 5 young
children models ranging from the age of 5 to 37 months. By constraining the
deformation of an older child model toward a younger one using segmentation
results, we assure the anatomical realism of the models. Using the proposed
framework, five models, containing thirteen tissues, are built. Three of these
models are used in a prospective dosimetry study to analyze young child exposure
to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields. The results lean to show the existence of
a relationship between age and whole body exposure. The results also highlight
the necessity to specifically study and develop measurements of child tissues
dielectric properties.