Evaluation of 3D printing materials as tissue equivalent materials for phantom manufacturing

Abstract

The development of 3D printing technology stimulates an active search for new methods of its application. Creating phantoms using a 3D printer is one of the promising areas. This will allow for more accurate and individual dosimetric monitoring during radiation therapy. The main objective of this study is to investigate the tissue equivalence by the mass attenuation coefficient of PLA plastic used in 3D printing. The mass attenuation coefficient was determined based on chemical composition by calculation in the XCom database, which is presented and maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Comparison of mass attenuation coefficients was carried out with 4 human tissues (liver, skin, kidney and breast). The x-ray attenuation properties of selected human tissues were analyzed using the values listed in the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements - ICRU, report 44. The average plastic / tissue ratio was calculated for the selected energy range (10-150 keV). PETG is the best material to simulate selected organs according to the results. This study shows that existing materials used in 3D printing can be used to create individual phantoms. The main advantage over commercial tissue-equivalent materials is their low cost.