In modern healthcare, innovation and technology are key to better patient outcomes. This case study examines how Clarkson College uses Enhatch's preoperative planning solution and 3D System Healthcare's 3D printing capabilities to create patient-specific bolus devices for radiation therapy.
This collaboration shows the power of personalized medicine in enhancing patient care. These patient-specific devices can help improve the precision and effectiveness of cancer treatment.
About Clarkson College
Clarkson College based in Omaha, Nebraska, is a renowned educational institution and leading healthcare provider known for its innovative approach to patient care. It was established in 1888. Originally founded as a nursing school, it has since expanded its offerings to include a wide range of health sciences programs. Clarkson College has also partnered with Nebraska Medicine to work towards a common goal of providing high-quality health care.
The need for patient-specific bolus devices
Challenges with conventional bolus devices
A bolus device, a key component in radiation therapy, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the correct dose of radiation is delivered to the targeted area.
While traditional bolus devices offer some level of efficacy, optimizing radiation therapy for certain cancer types (for example, skin cancer) can be difficult. This is because, with traditional bolus devices, ensuring an even and precise radiation dose on irregular body surfaces can sometimes be challenging.
Fabricating a traditional bolus device also involves several challenges, primarily precision and customization. The fabrication process requires careful measurement and molding to ensure the device accurately fits the patient's anatomy, which can be time-consuming. This process often involves manual crafting, leading to potential inconsistencies and inaccuracies.
Retrofitting issues can significantly impact patient treatment when a conventional bolus device fails to fit properly or meet the necessary specifications, necessitating modifications or complete remakes. These adjustments can lead to substantial delays in patient treatment.
Advantages of patient-specific bolus devices
Patient-specific bolus devices are tailored to each patient's unique anatomical features and clinical needs. Advanced imaging techniques and 3D anatomical models enhance the precision and fit of the bolus device. This helps enhance treatment accuracy and deliver more effective radiation therapy.
By leveraging 3D printing technology, patient-specific bolus devices have shorter lead times and greater accuracy than conventional fabrication methods.
Clarkson College requirements
Clarkson College approached 3D Systems Healthcare and Enhatch as they were looking to use patient-specific bolus devices for certain cancer types to facilitate more accurate radiation therapy. Clarkson College was looking to:
- Improve precision and accuracy by creating bolus devices precisely tailored to the contours of the patient's body
- Reduce fabrication lead times for bolus devices
The impact at Clarkson College
Seamless planning and more accurate bolus device design
Accurate planning is essential for designing patient-specific bolus devices, ensuring that the devices conform precisely to the patient's anatomy. This precision helps:
- Optimize radiation therapy by improving dose distribution and targeting
- Enhance treatment efficacy and minimize exposure to healthy tissue
Enhatch's preoperative planning portal allows clinicians and healthcare professionals to seamlessly plan and design patient-specific bolus devices. Digital models of the anatomy also help facilitate precise design adjustments before fabrication, which will reduce patient retrofitting.
"By utilizing the Enhatch preoperative planning solution, Clarkson College can now provide patient-specific bolus devices tailored to each individual's anatomy, thus enhancing the precision and effectiveness of radiation therapy treatments. Our Enhatch team is glad to partner with Clarkson College to improve healthcare and patient experiences."
- Mike Phipps, President, Enhatch
Shorter manufacturing lead times
The designs finalized using Enhatch's preoperative planning software are easily 3D printed by 3D Systems Healthcare at their Littleton facility.
3D Systems Healthcare's printing expertise has significantly reduced the lead time for bolus production and improved quality compared to conventional fabrication methods. This has helped with faster turnaround and more efficient treatment planning.
