Purpose: Vaginal applicators for a novel miniature x-ray tube were developed using three-dimensional (3D) printing to be used in brachytherapy of endometrial cancers.
Methods: Cylindrical vaginal applicators with various diameters, lengths, and infill percentages (IFPs) were fabricated using a 3D printer. X-ray dose distributions and depth-dose profiles were calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation. The performances of the applicators were evaluated by measuring and analyzing the dosimetric characteristics of x rays generated from the miniature x-ray tube equipped with the applicators.
Results: Quite uniform dose distributions around the applicators were achieved by optimizing the dwell positions and the dwell times of the miniature x-ray tube inside the applicators. In addition, identical absolute dose and depth-dose profiles were obtained through the control of the IFP values even though different-sized applicators are used.
Conclusion: The presented 3D printing technique provides an efficient approach to provide vaginal applicators with optimal IFPs that allow consistent treatment time for patients of varying vaginal canal size.
Keywords: 3D printing; electronic brachytherapy; endometrial cancer; miniature x-ray tube; vaginal applicator.
© 2018 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.