An analog patient model derived from computed tomograms for three-dimensional radiotherapy planning

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiation Oncology
• Radiotherapy Planning

Background:

• Accurate visualization of radiotherapy fields is crucial for effective cancer treatment.
• Traditional methods may lack sufficient three-dimensional (3D) spatial understanding.
• Computed tomograms (CT) provide detailed anatomical data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present an analog modeling technique for radiotherapy field visualization.
• To demonstrate the utility of this model in a clinical setting.
• To enhance the understanding of radiation coverage in 3D.

Main Methods:

• Constructing an analog model using transparent plastic sheets.
• Drawing anatomical contours from computed tomograms onto the sheets.
• Visualizing radiotherapy field coverage using the model and a light beam from radiotherapy equipment or a simulator.

Main Results:

• The analog model successfully represents the patient's anatomy in 3D.
• Three-dimensional visualization of radiotherapy field coverage is achieved.
• The method provides a clear spatial understanding of radiation delivery.

Conclusions:

• The analog modeling technique offers a practical and intuitive method for radiotherapy field visualization.
• This approach can improve the understanding of radiation dose distribution.
• The presented clinical example validates the model's applicability in radiotherapy planning.