Traditional Cerrobend or copper electron cutouts for electron treatments are labor-intensive, often single-use devices. This study tested a low-cost, 3D-printed electron multileaf collimator made from tungsten-infused plastic as a convenient and reusable alternative. The device effectively blocked electron beams up to 15 MeV, showed no measurable leakage, and produced even sharper field edges than Cerrobend. And this was all done on-site with a commercially-available 3D printing system and materials. “If a practice were to acquire a 3D printer capable of printing PETG [$300] the materials to make four eMLC devices (4 × 2.5 kg of WPETG [$2,290] + 1kg roll generic PETG [$15-30]) filament, that initial investment would total approximately $2650 USD. At a cost of ∼$150 USD per custom machined cutout, this upfront cost of four eMLCs would be recouped after ∼ 17 clinical electron treatment courses.” | Farris, Pract Radiat Oncol 2026
