A computer controlled micro multi-leaf collimator, m3 mMLC, has been commissioned
for conformal, fixed-field radiosurgery applications. Measurements were made to characterise
the basic dosimetric properties of the m3, such as leaf transmission, leakage and
beam penumbra. In addition, the geometric and dosimetric accuracy of the m3 was verified
when used in conjunction with a BrainSCAN v3.5 stereotactic planning system.
The m3 was detachably mounted to a Varian Clinac 2100C accelerator delivering 6 MV
X-rays. Leaf transmission, leakage, penumbra and multiple, conformal fixed field dose
distributions were measured using calibrated film in solid water. Beam data were collected
using a diamond detector in a scanning water tank and planned dose distributions were
verified using LiF TLDs and film. A small, shaped phantom was also constructed to
confirm field shaping accuracy using portal images.
Mean transmission through the closed multi-leaves was 1.9 +/- 0.1% and leakage between
leaves was 2.8 +/- 0.15%. Between opposing leaves abutting along the central beam-axis
transmission was approximately 15 +/- 3%, but was reduced to a mean of 4.5 +/- 0.6%
by moving the abutmen position 4.5 cm off-axis. Beam penumbrae were effectively constant
as a function of increasing square field size and asymmetric fields and was seen to
vary non-linearly when shaped to diagonal, straight edges. TMR, OAR and relative output
beam data measurements of circular m3 fields were comparable to conventional, circular
stereotactic collimators. Multiple, conformal field dose distributions were calculated
with good spatial and dosimetric accuracy, with the planned 90% isodose curves agreeing
with measurements to within 1-2 mm and to +/- 3% at isocentre. Portal films agreed
with planned beams eye-view field shaping to within 1 mm.
The m3 micro multi-leaf collimator is a stable, high precision field-shaping device
suitable for small-field, radiosurgery applications. Dose distributions can be accurately
calculated by a planning system using only a few beam data parameters.