• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.33
• /
• pp.79-88
• /
• 2021

Objectives: Bolus, which combines 3D-bolus and Step-bolus, was produced and its usefulness is evaluated. Materials and Methods: A Bolus was manufactured with a thickness of 10mm and 5mm using a 3D printer (3D printer, USA), and a Step Bolus of 5mm was bonded to a 5mm thick bolus. In order to understand the characteristics of Step bolus and 3D bolus, the differences in relative electron density, HU value, and mass density of the two bolus were investigated. These two Bolus were applied to anthropomorpic phantom to confirm its effectiveness. After all contouring of the phantom, a treatment plan was established using the computed treatment planning system (Eclipse 16.1, Varian medical system, USA). Treatment plan was performed using electron beam 6MeV, nine dose measurement points were designated on the phantom chest, air-gap was measured at that point, and dose evaluation was performed at the same point for each bolus applied using a glass dosimeter (PLD). Results: Bolus, which combines 3D-bolus 5mm and Step-bolus 5mm, was manufactured and evaluated compared with 3D-bolus 1cm. The relative electron density of 3D Bolus was 1.0559 g/cm2 and the step Bolus was 1.0590 g/cm2, which was different by 0.01%, so the relative electron density was almost the same. In the lightweight measurement of air-gap, the combined bolus was reduced to 54.32% for all designated points compared to 3D-bolus. In the dose measurement using a glass dose meter (PLD), the consistency was high in phantom using combined bolus at most points except the slope point. Conclusion: Combined bolus made by combining 3D-bolus and Step-bolus has all the advantages of 3D-bolus and Step-bolus. In addition, by dose inaccuracy due to Air-gap, more improved dose distribution can be shown, and effective radiation therapy can be performed.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Medical Physics Conference
• /
• 2002.09a
• /
• pp.214-215
• /
• 2002

Generally uniform dose distribution is assumed to be formed in a target region when a conventional dose formation method using a broad proton beam, a fixed modulation technique, a bolus and an aperture is employed. However, actual situations differ. We usually find non-uniformity in the target region. This is due to the insertion of a range-compensating bolus before the patient. Since the range-compensating bolus has an irregular shape, the scattering in the bolus depends on the lateral position. Dose distribution is overlapping results of dose distribution of pencil-proton beams traversing different lateral positions of the bolus. The lateral extent of dose distribution of each pencil beam traversing the different position differs each other at the same depth in the target object. This is a cause of the non-uniformity of the dose distribution. Therefore the same lateral extent of dose distribution should be attained for different pencil beams at the same depth to obtain a uniform dose distribution. For that purpose, we propose here a bi-material bolus. The bi-material bolus consists of a low-Z material determining mainly the range loss and a high-Z material defining mainly the scattering in the bolus. After passing through the bi-material bolus, protons traversing different lateral positions will have different residual range yet with the same lateral spread at a certain depth. Using the optimized bi-material bolus, we can obtain a more uniform dose distribution in the target region as expected.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.43 no.1
• /
• pp.9-14
• /
• 2020

Commercial plate bolus is generally used for treatment of surface tumor and required surface dose. We fabricated 3D-printed bolus by using 3D printing technology and usability of 3D-printed bolus was evaluated. RT-structure of contoured plate bolus in the TPS was exported to DICOM files and converted to STL file by using converting program. The 3D-printed bolus was manufactured with rubber-like translucent materials using a 3D printer. The dose distribution calculated in the TPS and compared the characteristics of the plate bolus and the 3D printed bolus. The absolute dose was measured inserting an ion chamber to the depth of 5 cm and 10 cm from the surface of the blue water phantom. HU and ED were measured to compare the material characteristics. 100% dose was distributed at Dmax of 1.5 cm below the surface when was applied without bolus. When the plate bolus and 3D-plate bolus were applied, dose distributed at 0.9 cm and 0.8 cm below the surface of the bolus. After the comparative analysis of the radiation dose at the reference depth, differences in radiation dose of 0.1 ~ 0.3% were found, but there was no difference dose. The usability of the 3D-printed bolus was thus confirmed and it is considered that the 3D-printed bolus can be applied in radiation therapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.33-38
• /
• 2017

Creating individualized build-up material for superficial photon beam radiation therapy at irregular surface is complex with rice or commonly used flat shape bolus. In this study, we implemented a workflow using 3D printed patient specific bolus and describe our clinical experience. To provide better fitted build-up to irregular surface, the 3D printing technique was used. The PolyLactic Acid (PLA) which processed with nontoxic plant component was used for 3D printer filament material for clinical usage. The 3D printed bolus was designed using virtual bolus structure delineated on patient CT images. Dose distributions were generated from treatment plan for bolus assigned uniform relative electron density and bolus using relative electron density from CT image and compared to evaluate the inhomogeneity effect of bolus material. Pretreatment QA is performed to verify the relative electron density applied to bolus structure by gamma analysis. As an in-vivo dosimetry, Optically Stimulated Luminescent Dosimeters (OSLD) are used to measure the skin dose. The plan comparison result shows that discrepancies between the virtual bolus plan and printed bolus plan are negligible. (0.3% maximum dose difference and 0.2% mean dose difference). The dose distribution is evaluated with gamma method (2%, 2 mm) at the center of GTV and the passing rate was 99.6%. The OSLD measurement shows 0.3% to 2.1% higher than expected dose at patient treatment lesion. In this study, we treated Mycosis fungoides patient with patient specific bolus using 3D printing technique. The accuracy of treatment plan was verified by pretreatment QA and in-vivo dosimetry. The QA results and 4 month follow up result shows the radiation treatment using 3D printing bolus is feasible to treat irregular patient skin.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.61-71
• /
• 2015

Purpose : 3D Printers are used to create three-dimensional models based on blueprints. Based on this characteristic, it is feasible to develop a bolus that can minimize the air gap between skin and bolus in radiotherapy. This study aims to compare and analyze air gap and target dose at the branded 1 cm bolus with the developed customized bolus using 3D printers. Materials and Methods : RANDO phantom with a protruded tumor was used to procure images using CT simulator. CT DICOM file was transferred into the STL file, equivalent to 3D printers. Using this, customized bolus molding box (maintaining the 1 cm width) was created by processing 3D printers, and paraffin was melted to develop the customized bolus. The air gap of customized bolus and the branded 1 cm bolus was checked, and the differences in air gap was used to compare $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$ and $V_{95%}$ in treatment plan through Eclipse. Results : Customized bolus production period took about 3 days. The total volume of air gap was average $3.9cm^3$ at the customized bolus. And it was average $29.6cm^3$ at the branded 1 cm bolus. The customized bolus developed by the 3D printer was more useful in minimizing the air gap than the branded 1 cm bolus. In the 6 MV photon, at the customized bolus, $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of GTV were 102.8%, 88.1%, 99.1%, 95.0%, 94.4% and the $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of branded 1cm bolus were 101.4%, 92.0%, 98.2%, 95.2%, 95.7%, respectively. In the proton, at the customized bolus, $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of GTV were 104.1%, 84.0%, 101.2%, 95.1%, 99.8% and the $D_{max}$, $D_{min}$, $D_{mean}$, $D_{95%}$, $V_{95%}$ of branded 1cm bolus were 104.8%, 87.9%, 101.5%, 94.9%, 99.9%, respectively. Thus, in treatment plan, there was no significant difference between the customized bolus and 1 cm bolus. However, the normal tissue nearby the GTV showed relatively lower radiation dose. Conclusion : The customized bolus developed by 3D printers was effective in minimizing the air gap, especially when it is used against the treatment area with irregular surface. However, the air gap between branded bolus and skin was not enough to cause a change in target dose. On the other hand, in the chest wall could confirm that dose decrease for small the air gap. Customized bolus production period took about 3 days and the development cost was quite expensive. Therefore, the commercialization of customized bolus developed by 3D printers requires low-cost 3D printer materials, adequate for the use of bolus.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.23-26
• /
• 2019

Total scalp irradiation is a challenging treatment because of unique concave target volume and difficulty with bolus applying. There are few reports about bolus applying methods to the entire scalp in detail. Application of conventional bolus (wax or superflab) is widely used, and it is considered effective. However, the curvature and irregularity of the scalp can produce significant air gap, resulting in inadequate radiation dose distribution. We describe a new method to applying the bolus to the entire scalp. We sutured 1 cm thickness superflab bolus on the thermoplastic mask using cotton string. This method can reduce the air gap between the bolus and scalp and be reproducible.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.199-206
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate radiation dose sensitivity due to displacement of human extremities in the water bolus box on radiation therapy. Water bolus box and human thigh with femur bone were constructed in computerized radiation therapy planning system to verify the absorbed dose. Two 6MV X-ray beams were irradiated bilaterally into water bolus box and then radiation dose were calculated each situation at displacement of middle axis of thigh from the center in water bolus box to right and left direction. Absorbed dose of thigh and femur bone increased by the distance of displacement. The maximum dose of thigh even increased 20% over than prescribed dose. This is in contrast to conventional concept of dose distribution in water bolus box. Based on this result, displacement of body site in the water bolus box have to be averted during radiation therapy.

• Progress in Medical Physics
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2017

The purpose of the present study was to develop and evaluate patient-customized helmets with a three-dimensional (3D) printer for radiation therapy of malignant scalp tumors. Computed tomography was performed in a case an Alderson RANDO phantom without bolus (Non_Bolus), in a case with a dental wax bolus on the scalp (Wax_Bolus), and in a case with a patient-customized helmet fabricated using a 3D printer (3D Printing_Bolus); treatment plans for each of the 3 cases were compared. When wax bolus was used to fabricate a bolus, a drier was used to apply heat to the bolus to make the helmet. $3-matic^{(R)}$ (Materialise) was used for modeling and polyamide 12 (PA-12) was used as a material, 3D Printing bolus was fabricated using a HP JET Fusion 3D 4200. The average Hounsfield Unit (HU) for the Wax_Bolus was -100, and that of the 3D Printing_Bolus was -10. The average radiation doses to the normal brain with the Non_Bolus, Wax_Bolus, and 3D Printing_Bolus methods were 36.3%, 40.2%, and 36.9%, and the minimum radiation dose were 0.9%, 1.6%, 1.4%, respectively. The organs at risk dose were not significantly difference. However, the 95% radiation doses into the planning target volume (PTV) were 61.85%, 94.53%, and 97.82%, and the minimum doses were 0%, 77.1%, and 82.8%, respectively. The technique used to fabricate patient-customized helmets with a 3D printer for radiation therapy of malignant scalp tumors is highly useful, and is expected to accurately deliver doses by reducing the air gap between the patient and bolus.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.93-101
• /
• 2017

Purpose: In breast cancer radiotherapy, brass mesh bolus has been recently studied to overcome disadvantage of conventional bolus. The purpose of this study is to investigate the stability of first introduced the brass mesh in the country, and evaluate the skin surface dose of that. Materials and Methods: The measurement of skin surface dose was evaluated to verify similar thickness of the Brass mesh bolus that compared conformal tissue equivalent bolus with 5 mm thickness. We used 6 MV photons on an ELEKTA VERSA linear accelerator and optically stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSLD). In addition, two opposed beam using IMRT phantom was applied to comparative study of brass mesh bolus between tissue equivalent bolus. Results: The results showed that similar thickness of the Brass mesh bolus was 3 mm compared with 5 mm tissue equivalent bolus by measuring the skin surface dose of solid phantom. The surface dose for IMRT thorax phantom using 3 mm brass mesh bolus was about 1.069 times greater than that using tissue equivalent bolus. Conclusion: In this study, we found that the brass mesh bolus improved better reduction of skin sparing effect and dose uniformity than tissue equivalent bolus. However evaluation for various clinic cases should be investigated.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.7-16
• /
• 2016

Purpose : This study aimed to compare and evaluate between the efficiency of two respective devices, 3D-bolus and step-bolus when the devices were used for the treatment of patients whose chest walls were required to undergo the electron beam therapy after the surgical procedure of modified radical mastectomy, MRM. Materials and Methods : The treatment plan of reverse hockey stick method, using the photon beam and electron beam, had been set for six breast cancer patients and these 6 breast cancer patients were selected to be the subjects for this study. The prescribed dose of electron beam for anterior chest wall was set to be 180 cGy per treatment and both the 3D-bolus, produced using 3D printer(CubeX, 3D systems, USA) and the self-made conventional step-bolus were used respectively. The surface dose under 3D-bolus and step-bolus was measured at 5 measurement spots of iso-center, lateral, medial, superior and inferior point, using GAFCHROMIC EBT3 film (International specialty products, USA) and the measured value of dose at 5 spots was compared and analyzed. Also the respective treatment plan was devised, considering the adoption of 3D-bolus and stepbolus and the separate treatment results were compared to each other. Results : The average surface dose was 179.17 cGy when the device of 3D-bolus was adopted and 172.02 cGy when step-bolus was adopted. The average error rate against the prescribed dose of 180 cGy was -(minus) 0.47% when the device of 3D-bolus was adopted and it was -(minus) 4.43% when step-bolus was adopted. It was turned out that the maximum error rate at the point of iso-center was 2.69%, in case of 3D-bolus adoption and it was 5,54% in case of step-bolus adoption. The maximum discrepancy in terms of treatment accuracy was revealed to be about 6% when step-bolus was adopted and to be about 3% when 3D-bolus was adopted. The difference in average target dose on chest wall between 3D-bolus treatment plan and step-bolus treatment plan was shown to be insignificant as the difference was only 0.3%. However, to mention the average prescribed dose for the part of lung and heart, that of 3D-bolus was decreased by 11% for lung and by 8% for heart, compared to that of step-bolus. Conclusion : It was confirmed through this research that the dose uniformity could be improved better through the device of 3D-bolus than through the device of step-bolus, as the device of 3D-bolus, produced in consideration of the contact condition of skin surface of chest wall, could be attached to patients' skin more nicely and the thickness of chest wall can be guaranteed more accurately by the device of 3D-bolus. It is considered that 3D-bolus device can be highly appreciated clinically because 3D-bolus reduces the dose on the adjacent organs and make the normal tissues protected, while that gives no reduction of dose on chest wall.