The present invention is a thorax phantom that enables simulation of tumor
motion within a tissue equivalent material. The system consists of a
tissue equivalent epoxy phantom representing a 15 cm axial section of the
human thorax that includes simplified spine and lung anatomies. Within
the phantom are thru rods of similar tissue density. The rods are
attached to a computer-controlled actuator that facilitates both linear
and rotational motion of the rods within the phantom. A plurality of
tumor targets and radiation detectors can be placed within the rods at
various locations thereby enabling the simulation of respiratory and
cardiac induced tumor motions within the phantom and assessment of the
effects of these motions on image acquisitions, treatment planning and
radiation treatment delivery.