Simple and Rapid Creation of Customized 3-dimensional Printed Bolus Using iPhone X True Depth Camera

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• 3D Printing Technology

Background:

• Traditional bolus materials present challenges in achieving optimal fit for irregular skin surfaces during radiation therapy.
• Current 3D printed bolus fabrication relies on CT scans or complex surface scanning, limiting accessibility and increasing costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an inexpensive and convenient method for generating 3D printed radiation therapy boluses using smartphone surface scanning technology.
• To demonstrate the feasibility of creating customized boluses for superficial tumors on irregular skin surfaces.

Main Methods:

• Utilized iPhone X true depth cameras for surface scanning to design 3D printed boluses.
• Adjusted percentage density infill to achieve tissue equivalence for the bolus material.
• Compared the fit and radiation dose distribution of the 3D printed bolus with traditional bolus materials.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated customized 3D printed facial boluses using a smartphone and a low-cost 3D printer.
• The 3D printed bolus, at 100% density, demonstrated tissue equivalence and an equivalent radiation dose distribution to standard bolus.
• The fabricated bolus offered an ideal fit to the scanned anatomy and was cost-effective.

Conclusions:

• Presented a simplified, user-friendly method for producing highly customized 3D printed radiation therapy boluses.
• This approach requires minimal expertise in computer modeling and can be executed using readily available smartphone technology.