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Updated: Jun 15, 2026
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Thermal Measurement Techniques in Analytical Microfluidic Devices
Published on: June 3, 2015
Physical characterization and comparison of two commercially available micro-MLCs
Tarun K Podder1, Greg Bednarz, Yan Yu
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Kimmel Cancer Center (NCI-designated), Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. tarun.podder@jefferson.edu
Summary
BrainLAB
Area of Science:
- Medical Physics
- Radiation Oncology
- Radiotherapy Physics
Background:
- Accurate radiation delivery is crucial in radiotherapy.
- Multileaf collimators (MLCs) shape radiation beams.
- Comparing MLC performance is essential for treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and compare the physical characteristics of two linear accelerator MLCs.
- To evaluate penumbra width, interleaf leakage, transmission, and tongue-and-groove effects.
- To assess the impact of source shape on MLC performance.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of BrainLAB Novalis and Elekta Synergy-S MLCs.
- Measurements of penumbra width, interleaf leakage, and transmission.
- Evaluation of tongue-and-groove effect under various conditions.
- Analysis of collimator rotation effects on penumbra.
Main Results:
- Novalis MLC exhibited a smaller penumbra width for square fields compared to Synergy-S.
- Synergy-S showed lower interleaf and leaf transmission leakage.
- Collimator rotation revealed Novalis has a more symmetric source, while Synergy-S has an elliptical source.
- Novalis had a slightly smaller tongue-and-groove effect.
Conclusions:
- Novalis μMLC offers superior penumbra control for square fields.
- Synergy-S demonstrates better leakage control.
- MLC performance is influenced by source characteristics and field shape.
- Both MLCs have distinct strengths and weaknesses impacting radiotherapy precision.
