Radiological properties of 3D printed materials in kilovoltage and megavoltage photon beams.

PURPOSE: This study evaluates the radiological properties of different 3D printing materials for a range of photon energies, including kV and MV CT imaging and MV radiotherapy beams.

METHODS: The CT values of a number of materials were measured on an Aquilion One CT scanner at 80kVp, 120kVp and a Tomotherapy Hi Art MVCT imaging beam. Attenuation of the materials in a 6MV radiotherapy beam was investigated.

RESULTS: Plastic filaments printed with various infill densities have CT values of -743±4, -580±1 and -113±3 in 120kVp CT images which approximate the CT values of low-density lung, high-density lung and soft tissue respectively. Metal-infused plastic filaments printed with a 90% infill density have CT values of 658±1 and 739±6 in MVCT images which approximate the attenuation of cortical bone. The effective relative electron density REDeff is used to describe the attenuation of a megavoltage treatment beam, taking into account effects relating to the atomic number and mass density of the material. Plastic filaments printed with a 90% infill density have REDeff values of 1.02±0.03 and 0.94±0.02 which approximate the relative electron density RED of soft tissue. Printed resins have REDeff values of 1.11±0.03 and 1.09±0.03 which approximate the RED of bone mineral.

CONCLUSIONS: 3D printers can model a variety of body tissues which can be used to create phantoms useful for both imaging and dosimetric studies.