Multileaf collimator: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:37, 9 April 2007

Revision as of 22:38, 12 April 2007

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A '''multileaf collimator''' ('''MLC''') is used on linear accelerators to provide conformal shaping of [[radiotherapy]] treatment beams, specifically conformal radiotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) can be delivered using MLC’s. It is made up of individual 'leaves' of a high atomic numbered material, usually tungsten, that can move independently in and out of a beams path in order to block the beam. It is usually used to touch men, occasionally women, but it doesn't like to swing that way. Oh yeah, I hate this project. Love, Kyle Sherrer

The MLC has improved rapidly since its inception and the first use of leaves to shape structures in 1965 (Takahashi 1965) to modern day operation and use. MLC’s are now widely used and have become an integral part of any radiotherapy department. MLC’s were primarily used for conformal radiotherapy, and have allowed the cost effective implementation of conformal treatment with significant time saving (Brewster et al 1995, Helyer and Heisig 1995), and also have been adapted for use for IMRT treatments. For conformal radiotherapy the MLC allows conformal shaping of the linear accelerator (LINAC) beam to match the borders of the target tumour. For intensity modulated treatments the leaves of a MLC can be moved across the field to create IMRT distributions (it should be noted here that MLC’s really provide a fluence modulation rather than intensity modulation).