title: Virtual micro MLC commissioning.
abstract: The resolution of multileaf collimators (MLCs) is limited by their finite leaf width. A commercial package (HD-270) uses 3D couch translation and leaf adjustments to emulate smaller leaf widths. In this paper, we report on the commissioning of this feature using software testing, dial gauge measurements, and film dosimetry. We also identify a variety of limitations: software bugs and truncation artifacts, MLC leaf positioning uncertainties (random variations, systematic gantry dependence and backlash), and uncertainties in couch positioning. These reduce the capabilities of this implementation below that achievable theoretically.
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Department, Allan Blair Cancer Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4S 1V4, Canada.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drever
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dickof
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005373:Film Dosimetry; D008904:Miniaturization; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011881:Radiotherapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012984:Software