Abstract

Objective: In external radiotherapy, dose boluses and compensators are used for treatment of irregular facial topography surfaces. In such cases, skewed isodose curves need to be addressed using a bolus that gives the deep dose distribution a shape adapted to the anatomical structures to be protected or irradiated. The combination of 3D modeling and printing technologies is a promising alternative to the conventional inaccurate and uncomfortable bolus fabrication technique. In this work, the proposed technologies will be used in the design and fabrication of high-performance and high-accuracy boluses that respond to the main constraints on metrology, adhesion to the patient's surface, comfort, and dose delivery. Methods: As a first phase in the implementation of the proposed solution, 3D printing materials, to be used in the fabrication of radiotherapy boluses, were selected and characterized to check how they respond to the required criteria on functionality, safety, and quality. Results: The obtained results show that among the studied materials, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) was found to be slightly more suitable than polylactic acid (PLA) for the fabrication of 3D printing boluses but for some kinds of treatments, PLA may be preferred despite its relative rigidity. Conclusion: In this work, procedures for dose bolus fabrication were proposed, and necessary data were obtained for some available 3D printing materials (TPU and PLA) that can be used for targeted applications. This achievement is a major step toward the final implementation of 3D modeling and printing technologies for the efficient fabrication of radiotherapy dose boluses.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.