Evaluation of 3D Printed Anthropomorphic Head Phantom for Calibration of TLD in Eye Lens Dosimeter

BACKGROUND: Calibration of Thermo Luminescent Dosimetry (TLD) in eye lens dosimeter requires a standard phantom. The use of anthropomorphic phantoms in calibration needs evaluation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the angular response of the TLD on the fabricated 3D anthropomorphic head phantom and Computerized Imaging Reference Systems (CIRS)- Computed Tomography (CT) dose phantom as a standard phantom irradiated with Cs-137 and to compare the absorbed dose and linear attenuation for both phantoms. H(p)(3) analysis, conversion coefficient (h(pK)(3)), and calibration factor (CF) are also investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the fabricated 3D printed anthropomorphic head phantom was analyzed using polylactic acid (PLA) with the skull and then filled with the artificial brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a test phantom. TLD-700H and TLD Reader Harshaw 6600 plus were used to analyze the angular response of Cs-137 radiation and to determine the absorbed dose and linear attenuation coefficient of test and standard phantoms. RESULTS: The effect of the angle of radiation source towards TLD reading at the anthropomorphic head phantom has a similar value to the standard phantom with a calibration factor ranging from 0.82 to 1. The absorbed dose measurement and the linear attenuation coefficient of the anthropomorphic head phantom with the standard phantom have different values of 2.52 and 3.78%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The fabricated 3D printed anthropomorphic head phantom has good potential as an alternative to standard phantoms for TLD calibration in eye lens dosimeter.