3D-printed applicators for high dose rate brachytherapy: Dosimetric assessment at different infill percentage. Issue 12 (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ricotti, Rosalinda; Vavassori, Andrea; Bazani, Alessia; Ciardo, Delia; Pansini, Floriana; Spoto, Ruggero; Sammarco, Vittorio; Cattani, Federica; Baroni, Guido; Orecchia, Roberto; Jereczek-Fossa, Barbara Alicja
• Is Part Of: Physica medica. Volume 32:Issue 12(2016)
• Page Start: 1698
• Page End: 1706
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Brachytherapy -- 3D printing -- Applicator -- Dosimetry -- Low-cost 3D printer -- Infill percentage; Medical physics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Biophysics -- Periodicals; Imagerie médicale -- Périodiques; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Rayons X -- Sécurité -- Mesures -- Périodiques; Physique -- Périodiques; Médecine -- Périodiques; 610.153
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.08.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1120-1797

Abstract

Highlights: Dose attenuation through 5 mm of ABS was not sensitive to the density of the material. 3D-printed superficial applicators performed as well as the commercial Freiburg Flap. Low-cost 3D printers are a promising solution for customized HDR applicators. Regulatory materials approval are required for clinical development. Abstract: Purpose: Dosimetric assessment of high dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy applicators, printed in 3D with acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) at different infill percentage. Materials and methods: A low-cost, desktop, 3D printer (Hamlet 3DX100, Hamlet, Dublin, IE) was used for manufacturing simple HDR applicators, reproducing typical geometries in brachytherapy: cylindrical (common in vaginal treatment) and flat configurations (generally used to treat superficial lesions). Printer accuracy was investigated through physical measurements. The dosimetric consequences of varying the applicator's density by tuning the printing infill percentage were analysed experimentally by measuring depth dose profiles and superficial dose distribution with Gafchromic EBT3 films (International Specialty Products, Wayne, NJ). Dose distributions were compared to those obtained with a commercial superficial applicator. Results: Measured printing accuracy was within 0.5 mm. Dose attenuation was not sensitive to the density of the material. Surface dose distribution comparison of the 3D printed flat applicators with respect to the commercial superficial applicator showed an overall passing rate greater than 94% for gamma analysis with 3% dose difference criteria, 3 mm distance-to-agreement criteria and 10% dose threshold. Conclusion: Low-cost 3D printers are a promising solution for the customization of the HDR brachytherapy applicators. However, further assessment of 3D printing techniques and regulatory materials approval are required for clinical application.