Evaluation of the impacts caused by the "warp" effect on 3D printed phantoms for clinical application of photon beams

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the impact of the warp effect on printed phantoms with tissue equivalence to be used in radiotherapy. The “warp” effect is caused by several parameters that directly interfere in the printing process. The “warp” effect causes a warping or slanting of the outer edges of the parts being printed, this occurs when there is no adherence of the part to the printer platform. The tendency to distort a printed object to simulate a patient is great because the warp effect occurs due to the way the objects will be printed, especially if they are to be printed in successive layers. Despite the difficulties of printing the phantoms with tissue equivalence for clinical application with 100% filling, it is possible to use this technology to simulate a patient and obtain advantageously a phantom for clinical photon beam dosimetry.