Novel application of 3D printing in brachytherapy using MED610 3D printed insert for I-125 ROPES eye plaque

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Eye plaque brachytherapy requires precise dose delivery.
• Acrylic inserts are standard in ROPES eye plaque applicators.
• Exploring alternative materials like 3D printed MED610 is crucial for improving manufacturing and potentially cost-effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate MED610 3D printed material as a surrogate for acrylic in eye plaque brachytherapy.
• To compare dose distributions between standard acrylic and MED610 inserts.
• To assess the clinical viability of MED610 for manufacturing replacement eye plaque inserts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a 15 mm Radiation Oncology Physics and Engineering Services (ROPES) eye plaque applicator with I-125 seeds.
• Employed GafChromic® EBT3 films in a solid water phantom for 3D dose distribution measurements.
• Compared dose distributions along and perpendicular to the central axis for both acrylic and MED610 inserts.

Main Results:

• Dose agreement along the central axis between acrylic and MED610 inserts was within 1.5%.
• Off-axis dose profiles agreed within 7% in the central 15 mm width up to 8 mm depth.
• Results demonstrate consistency in dose profiles between materials, considering film uncertainty.

Conclusions:

• MED610 3D printed material is a viable surrogate for acrylic in ROPES eye plaque brachytherapy applicators.
• The study validates the use of MED610 for manufacturing replacement inserts with comparable dose distributions.
• This finding supports the potential integration of 3D printing in radiation oncology device fabrication.