Background: This study describes the possibility of implemen ng threedimensional prin ng technology to create a precise construc on of a planned bolus, based on computed tomography informa on stored in the Digital Imaging and Communica ons in Medicine (DICOM) format file. Materials and Methods: To create the bolus with a 3D printer, we converted data in the DICOM format to the stereolithography (STL) format. In addi on, we produced a paraffin bolus that, tradi onally, is manually placed directly on the pa ent. CT scans were acquired for both boluses, and the images were superimposed onto the pa ent CT scans that were used to design the bolus. The superimposi on of images was performed to compare the fit of the bolus printed on a 3D printer to that of the paraffin bolus made in the tradi onal way. In addi on, for both models, the dose distribu on was simulated. To quan fy the level of matching ML, special formula was used. The ML parameter had a value between 0 and 100%, where 100% indicated a perfect fit between the model and the 3D printed bolus. Results: We verified that 100% of the volume of the 3D printed bolus was located within the contour of the designed model. The ML of the bolus was 94%. For the classical paraffin bolus the ML was only 28%. Conclusion: A bolus printed on a threedimensional printer can faithfully reproduce the structure specified in the project plan. Compared to the classical paraffin bolus, the three-dimensional printed bolus more closely matched the planned model and possessed greater material uniformity.
This work describes the use of 3D printing technology to create individualized boluses for patients treated with electron beam therapy for skin lesions of the eye canthi. It aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of 3D‐printed over manually fabricated paraffin boluses. The study involved 11 patients for whom the construction of individual boluses were required. CT scans of the fabricated 3D‐printed boluses and paraffin boluses were acquired and superimposed onto patient CT scans to compare their fitting, bolus homogeneity, and underlying dose distribution. To quantify the level of matching, multiple metrics were utilized. Matching Level Index (ML) values ranged from 0 to 100%, where 100% indicated a perfect fit between the reference bolus (planned in treatment planning system) and 3D‐printed and paraffin bolus. The average ML (± 1 SD) of the 3D‐printed boluses was 95.1 ± 2.1%, compared to 46.0 ± 10.1% for the manually fabricated paraffin bolus. Correspondingly, mean doses were closer to the prescribed doses, and dose spreads were less for the dose distributions from the 3D‐printed boluses, as compared to those for the manually fabricated paraffin boluses. It was concluded that 3D‐printing technology is a viable method for fabricating boluses for small eye lesions and provides boluses superior to our boluses manually fabricated from paraffin sheets.
The study revealed that CNS maturation delay expressed as M value was higher among infants with severe ROP than among infants with mild or no ROP. EEG examination in prematurely born infants may prove to be a useful tool for predicting ROP development.
Analog space missions were created to study the human factor in extraordinary conditions that would occur in future space habitats. Isolation has been shown to cause stress and disrupt individuals’ daily routine, which can also affect their oral hygiene and lead to an increased risk of dental caries and gingivitis. The astronauts’ specific freeze-dried diet is associated with “lazy” chewing, potential dehydration and vitamin A deficiency, which may adversely affect their saliva. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of the freeze-dried diet on selected oral hygiene indicators in analog astronauts (AA) enduring strict isolation conditions during six consecutive analog space missions at the LunAres Research Station. During the experiment the oral hygiene and gingival inflammation status measurements were conducted on the group of AAs at the beginning and at the end of each mission. Measurements included four oral hygiene indicators: API, sOHI, PI by Silness and Loe and GBI by Ainamo and Bay. Each AA’s individual scores were noted and analyzed. Statistically significant reduction in the amount of plaque and intensity of gingival bleeding was observed over the course of the study, which could indicate positive results of applied oral hygiene procedures despite unfavorable dietary and stressful isolation conditions.
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