Radiation Testing of a Small Laboratory Animal Phantom Created by Fused Filament Fabrication

Abstract

In order to validate new radiotherapeutic techniques, a large number of studies using ionizing radiation are required. Such studies are often carried out using small laboratory animals, such as mice and rats, that is cause the ethical questions of the international scientific community. In this regard, the application of artificial animal models is relevant. It will allow to reduce the number of animals used. In previous studies, homogeneous monolithic test objects were fabricated and dosimetric tests were performed. 3D-printing parameters and materials were determined for the most accurate imitation of biological tissues. This study proposes to use fused filament fabrication techniques for design and creation of heterogeneous objects from different materials, which will allow the fabrication of phantoms with high accuracy in a short period of time. In this work, the male rat dosimetric phantom was designed and created. Its tomographic and dosimetric tests were carried out. The possibility of manufacturing dosimetric phantoms of small laboratory animals by fused filament fabrication methods was shown.