3D printed brachytherapy jig for Reference Air Kerma Rate calibration

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiotherapy Technology
• 3D Printing Applications

Background:

• Brachytherapy source calibration is crucial for accurate radiotherapy dose delivery.
• Current verification methods can be complex and costly for radiotherapy centers.
• Custom devices are increasingly utilized in radiotherapy to improve precision.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, 3D print, and commission a jig for in-air brachytherapy source strength calibration.
• To assess the accuracy and uncertainty of the 3D printed jig for source calibration.
• To provide radiotherapy centers with a cost-effective and customizable solution for source verification.

Main Methods:

• A custom jig was designed and fabricated using 3D printing technology.
• In-air source strength calibration measurements were performed on four different afterloaders.
• A comprehensive uncertainty budget was calculated for the calibration measurements.
• Results were compared against certificate source strength and well chamber measurements.

Main Results:

• Measurements using the 3D printed jig were consistently within 3% of the certificate source strength.
• The combined uncertainty for the jig measurements was 3.75%, well within the acceptable 4.1% limit.
• The jig demonstrated consistent performance across varied equipment and environments.
• The method proved effective for customisation to different catheter sizes and chamber designs.

Conclusions:

• 3D printing offers a practical and economical solution for creating custom jigs for brachytherapy source calibration.
• The developed jig allows radiotherapy centers to independently and accurately verify source strength with ease.
• This approach enhances quality assurance in radiotherapy, potentially improving treatment efficacy and patient safety.