Advancing Radiotherapy Through 3D Printing Innovation

Associate Professor Ng Bing Feng

Advanced_Radio_Theraphy

Overview

A pioneering study led by Associate Professor Ng Bing Feng (School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering) introduced a patient-specific, modular 3D-printed head phantom designed to improve accuracy in cancer radiotherapy. This innovative work showcased a novel custom material engineered to mimic bone radiodensity using a blend of ABS and bismuth, alongside polylactic acid for soft tissue simulation.

Key Findings

  • Development of a bone-mimicking material tailored for accurate CT imaging.
  • Modular phantom design for efficient fabrication with anatomical fidelity.
  • Use of multi-material 3D printing to replicate segmented tissues based on HU values.
  • Successful validation of radiodensity accuracy, even in complex regions.

Conclusion

The study highlighted the transformative role of 3D printing in personalized cancer treatment, offering enhanced dosimetry quality assurance and setting a new standard in radiotherapy planning. This publication presented the results of the research collaboration with the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS), the national specialty centre for tertiary cancer care.

 

Source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.113719