3D printed brachytherapy jig for Reference Air Kerma Rate calibration

摘要

3D printing in modern radiotherapy allows users the ability to create custom devices which can be a valuable tool for use in brachytherapy source calibration. Radiotherapy centres may verify their brachytherapy source activity with a calibrated Farmer chamber. For this purpose, a jig was designed, 3D printed and commissioned for in-air source strength calibration. Measurements on four afterloaders with varied equipment and environments were completed. A full uncertainty budget was developed and measurements with the in-air jig were consistently within 3% of the certificate source strength, and within the 4.1% combined uncertainty for comparing a well chamber measurement (1.7%) with the in air jig (3.75%). By creating a jig that is able to be customised to multiple catheter sizes and cylindrical chamber designs, centres can be provided with the option of independently checking their source strength with ease and for little cost.