Design and manufacturing of a head mask for fixation in stereotactic radiosurgery by the Gamma Knife(®) Icon™

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates an alternative to the classical method of head fixation during Gamma Knife radiosurgery using a Leksell head frame. In the Gamma Knife(®) Icon™ model, a new method of head fixation is used by utilizing a thermal molded polymer mask that takes the shape of the patient’s head before fixing the head to the table. However, this mask is for single use and quite expensive. METHODS: We describe a new, very economical method to fix the head of the patient during radiosurgery. We used commercial, quite cheap material [polylactic acid (PLA)] plastic and made a 3D printing model for the patient’s face, taking special measurements to put this mask and fix it on the Gamma Knife. The actual material cost is only $4 (100 times less than the original mask cost). RESULTS: The new mask efficiency was tested using the movement checker software, the same one used to measure the efficiency of the original mask. CONCLUSION: The newly designed and manufactured mask is quite effective for use with the Gamma Knife(®) Icon™, with a much lower cost, and it can be manufactured locally.