Adaptiiv Medical Technologies, a Canadian 3D software maker for the medical industry, has announced that the U.S military will use Adaptiiv’s 3D Bolus software in the treatment of veterans suffering from cancer.
The technology will be employed at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC), Bethesda, Maryland, the largest military medical center in the U.S,
Peter Hickey, a co-founder of Adaptiiv, said, “we could not be more honored to make this announcement, working with the team at Walter Reed, Adaptiiv continues to make significant strides in the battle against cancer while transforming novel and experimental ideas into real-world applications.”
3D printed bolus in radiotherapy
In radiation therapies for cancer treatments, boluses are used to administer medicinal substances precisely to the location where the medicine is required.
For example, High dose rate (HDR) surface brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy that requires a sealed radiation source. Adaptiiv’s brachytherapy applicator bolus can be customized using the 3D Bolus software, according to the patient’s anatomy and the treatment required. The brachytherapy applicator can then be placed inside the skin lesion or next to the treatment area.
Annually, almost 3% of cancer cases in the U.S are reported to the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry (VACCR), which makes nearly 40,000 U.S. Veterans suffering from cancer each year.
The 3D printed bolus can help reduce patient’s pain during radiotherapy treatment and administer medicine more precisely to the cancerous area.
3D printing and cancer research
3D printing technology has helped the fight against cancer. Earlier this year it was reported that Tomsk Cancer Research Institute of Tomsk Polytechnic University, 3D printed body replicas. These replicas can pinpoint exactly where the radiation will be applied during radiotherapy.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Arizona, relies heavily on 3D software technologies. The hospital 3D lab is fitted with software systems which help diagnose cancer using detailed 3D images of patients organs. This helps in the study of tumors and assessment of treatment options.
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Featured image shows Adaptiiv’s brachytherapy applicator bolus. Image via Adaptiiv
