Multileaf collimator

A multileaf collimator (MLC) is a Collimator or beam-limiting device that is made of individual "leaves" of a high atomic numbered material, usually tungsten, that can move independently in and out of the path of a radiotherapy beam in order to shape it and vary its intensity.

MLCs are used in external beam radiotherapy to provide conformal shaping of beams. Specifically,

Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

(IMRT) can be delivered using MLCs.

The MLC has improved rapidly since its inception and the first use of leaves to shape structures in 1965

fluence

modulation rather than intensity modulation).

The MLC is an important tool for radiation therapy dose delivery. It was originally used as a surrogate for alloy block field shaping and is now widely used for IMRT. As with any tool used in radiotherapy the MLC must undergo commissioning and quality assurance. Additional commissioning measurements are completed to model a MLC for

treatment planning. Various MLCs are provided by different vendors and they all have unique design features as determined by specifications of design,^[3]

and these differences are quite significant.

References

PMID 5879987
.

PMID 7493834
.

PMID 8420867
.

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[1] PMID 5879987
.

[2] PMID 7493834
.

[3] PMID 8420867
.

[3]