PLA as a suitable 3D printing thermoplastic for use in external beam radiotherapy

Walt, Marchant Van der; Crabtree, Tim; Albantow, Christine

doi:10.1007/s13246-019-00818-6

Cited by 38 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…As points cannot be copied between data sets within Monaco, there is slight variation in their placement between plans, specifically where the planned bolus has not be scanned perfectly vertical and where reproduced points are falling on or between real CT slices. The 100% shells with water came closest to matching the reference RED of the VB, with in‐house studies post‐completion of this project demonstrating a PLA print with 93.5% solid construction equivalent to a RED of 1.0 . Dosimetric analyses in the literature agree with our findings .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

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Comparison of 3D printed nose bolus to traditional wax bolus for cost‐effectiveness, volumetric accuracy and dosimetric effect

Albantow

Hargrave

Brown

et al. 2020

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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Introduction Three‐dimensional printing technology has the potential to streamline custom bolus production in radiotherapy. This study evaluates the volumetric, dosimetric and cost differences between traditional wax and 3D printed versions of nose bolus. Method Nose plaster impressions from 24 volunteers were CT scanned and planned. Planned virtual bolus was manufactured in wax and created in 3D print (100% and 18% shell infill density) for comparison. To compare volume variations and dosimetry, each constructed bolus was CT scanned and a plan replicating the reference plan fields generated. Bolus manufacture time and material costs were analysed. Results Mean volume differences between the virtual bolus (VB) and wax, and the VB and 18% and 100% 3D shells were −3.05 ± 11.06 cm3, −1.03 ± 8.09 cm3 and 1.31 ± 2.63 cm3, respectively. While there was no significant difference for the point and mean doses between the 100% 3D shell filled with water and the VB plans (P> 0.05), the intraclass coefficients for these dose metrics for the 100% 3D shell filled with wax compared to VB doses (0.69–0.96) were higher than those for the 18% and 100% 3D shell filled with water and the wax (0.48–0.88). Average costs for staff time and materials were higher for the wax ($138.54 and $20.49, respectively) compared with the 3D shell prints ($10.58 and $13.87, respectively). Conclusion Three‐dimensional printed bolus replicated the VB geometry with less cost for manufacture than wax bolus. When shells are printed with 100% infill density, 3D bolus dosimetrically replicates the reference plan.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 81%

“…In conjunction with this project, PLA phantoms were produced to assess material uniformity, with geometric, dosimetric, tissue equivalence and radiation damage evaluation undertaken …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of 3D printed nose bolus to traditional wax bolus for cost‐effectiveness, volumetric accuracy and dosimetric effect

Albantow

Hargrave

Brown

et al. 2020

J of Medical Radiation Sci

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“…Physical density of the sample objects was determined by measurement, assuming homogeneity. The effective electron density (RED eff ) as described by Moutrie, was derived using the method described by Van der Walt et al using a CC04 chamber 13,14 . Previous works by Tello and Allahverdi have shown plastic water to perform within 0.5% of water for a 6 MV beam, and so no further corrections were applied to convert between plastic and real water thickness 15,16 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of the effects of spinal surgical implants on radiotherapy dosimetry: A study of 3D printed phantoms

et al. 2021

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Purpose The use of three‐dimensional (3D) printing to develop custom phantoms for dosimetric studies in radiotherapy is increasing. The process allows production of phantoms designed to evaluated specific geometries, patients, or patient groups with a defining feature. The ability to print bone‐equivalent phantoms has, however, proved challenging. The purpose of this work was to 3D print a series of three similar spine phantoms containing no surgical implants, implants made of titanium, and implants made of carbon fiber, for future dosimetric and imaging studies. Phantoms were evaluated for (a) tissue and bone equivalence, (b) geometric accuracy compared to design, and (c) similarity to one another. Methods Sample blocks of PLA, HIPS, and StoneFil PLA‐concrete with different infill densities were printed to evaluate tissue and bone equivalence. The samples were used to develop CT to physical (PD) and effective relative electron density (REDeff) conversion curves and define the settings for printing the phantoms. CT scans of the printed phantoms were obtained to assess the geometry and densities achieved. Mean distance to agreement (MDA) and DICE coefficient (DSC) values were calculated between contours defining the different materials, obtained from design and like phantom modules. HU values were used to determine PD and REDeff and subsequently evaluate tissue and bone equivalence. Results Sample objects showed linear relationships between HU and both PD and REDeff for both PLA and StoneFil. The PD and REDeff of the objects calculated using clinical CT conversion curves were not accurate and custom conversion curves were required. PLA printed with 90% infill density was found to have a PD of 1.11 ± 0.03 g.cm−3 and REDeff of 1.04 ± 0.02 and selected for tissue‐ equivalent phantom elements. StoneFil printed with 100% infill density showed a PD of 1.35 ± 0.03 g.cm−3 and REDeff of 1.24 ± 0.04 and was selected for bone‐equivalent elements. Upon evaluation of the final phantoms, the PLA elements displayed PD in the range of 1.10 ± 0.03 g.cm−3–1.13 ± 0.03 g.cm−3 and REDeff in the range of 1.02 ± 0.03–1.06 ± 0.03. The StoneFil elements showed PD in the range of 1.43 ± 0.04 g.cm−3–1.46 ± 0.04 g.cm−3 and REDeff in the range of 1.31 ± 0.04–1.33 ± 0.04. The PLA phantom elements were shown to have MDA of ≤1.00 mm and DSC of ≥0.95 compared to design, and ≤0.48 mm and ≥0.91 compared like modules. The StoneFil elements displayed MDA values of ≤0.44 mm and DSC of ≥0.98 compared to design and ≤0.43 mm and ≥0.92 compared like modules. Conclusions Phantoms which were radiologically equivalent to tissue and bone were produced with a high level of similarity to design and even higher level of similarity of one another. When used in conjunction with the derived CT to PD or REDeff conversion curves they are suitable for evaluating the effects of spinal surgical implants of varying material of construction.

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“…One of the most common methods of 3D printing is Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF), mainly for its simplicity and low price [Beniak 2020]. One of the most widely used materials for this technology is polylactic acid (PLA) [Van der Walt 2019].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Analysis of Temperature Resistance of 3d Printed Pla Components

Suder¹,

Bobovský²,

Šafář³

et al. 2021

MMSJ

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PLA as a suitable 3D printing thermoplastic for use in external beam radiotherapy

Cited by 38 publications

References 17 publications

Comparison of 3D printed nose bolus to traditional wax bolus for cost‐effectiveness, volumetric accuracy and dosimetric effect

Comparison of 3D printed nose bolus to traditional wax bolus for cost‐effectiveness, volumetric accuracy and dosimetric effect

Investigation of the effects of spinal surgical implants on radiotherapy dosimetry: A study of 3D printed phantoms

Experimental Analysis of Temperature Resistance of 3d Printed Pla Components

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