Abstract

3D printing is not a new concept. The recent advances in printing speed, technology, and material selection are promoting its significant impacts in several industries, including health care. For our medical physics field, researchers are also finding its applications in various clinical aspects. However, the interests still remain in a few academic centers who have the luxuries of owning such an unconventional device in the radiation oncology department, or collaborating with a local 3D printing lab. As the 3D printing technology is becoming an unstoppable driving force in manufacturing revolution, are we also envisioning a future that 3D printing will become as common as a block‐cutting machine in a radiation oncology department? In this debate, we invited two researchers who are experienced in studying the clinical use of 3D printing in medical physics field. Dr. Eric Ehler is arguing for the proposition that “3D printing technology will eventually eliminate the need of purchasing commercial phantoms for clinical medical physics QA procedures” and Dr. Daniel Craft is arguing against. Dr. Eric Ehler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Minnesota. He is the medical physics residency program director at the University of Minnesota Medical Center. His education and research interests are 3D printing, pediatric radiotherapy, radiation dosimetry, and machine learning. Dr. Daniel Craft is currently a medical physics resident at The Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to the beginning of his residency, Dr. Craft was a graduate research assistant and PhD student at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas, where he studied techniques to deliver postmastectomy radiation therapy using 3D printed patient‐specific tissue compensators. He completed his Ph.D. in Medical Physics in May, 2018, and also holds an undergraduate degree in Physics from Brigham Young University.

Highlights

  • Dr Eric Ehler is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Minnesota

  • Phantoms provide medical physicists a means to assess the performance of medical devices in imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy.[1]

  • The argument “3D printing technology will eventually eliminate the need of purchasing commercial phantoms for clinical medical physics quality assurance (QA) procedures” is already becoming reality

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Summary

Introduction

Phantoms provide medical physicists a means to assess the performance of medical devices in imaging, nuclear medicine, and radiation therapy.[1] Historically, phantoms were designed and constructed by clinical staff and/or hospital engineers using materials and formulations available to them at the time.[2] Currently, many vendors in the medical physics market provide a wide array of phantoms for clinical use. The argument “3D printing technology will eventually eliminate the need of purchasing commercial phantoms for clinical medical physics QA procedures” is already becoming reality.

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