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Hernandez, VictorAuthor

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A novel procedure for determining the optimal: MLC. configuration parameters in treatment planning systems based on measurements with a Farmer chamber

Publicated to:Physics In Medicine And Biology. 65 (15): 155006- - 2020-08-07 65(15), DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ab8cd5

Authors: Saez, Jordi; Hernandez, Victor; Goossens, Jo; De Kerf, Geert; Verellen, Dirk

Affiliations

Antwerp Univ, Fac Med & Hlth Sci, Antwerp, Belgium - Author
Hosp Clin Barcelona, Dept Radiat Oncol, Barcelona 08036, Spain - Author
Hosp Univ St Joan Reus, Dept Med Phys, IISPV, Tarragona 43204, Spain - Author
Iridium Kankernetwerk, Antwerp, Belgium - Author

Abstract

Modelling of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) in treatment planning systems (TPS) is crucial for the dose calculation accuracy of intensity-modulated radiation therapy plans. However, no standardised methodology for their configuration exists to date. In this study we present a method that separates the effect of each dosimetric characteristic of the MLC, offering comprehensive equations for the determination of the configuration parameters used in the TPS model. The main advantage of the method is that it only requires prior knowledge of the nominal leaf width and is based on doses measured with a Farmer chamber, which is a very well established and robust methodology. Another significant advantage is the required time, since measuring the tests takes only about 30 minutes per energy. Firstly, we provide a theoretical general formalism in terms of the primary fluence constructed from the transmission map obtained from an MLC model for synchronous and asynchronous sweeping beams. Secondly, we apply the formalism to the RayStation TPS as a proof of concept and we derive analytical expressions that allow the determination of the configuration parameters (leaf tip width, tongue-and-groove width, x-position offset and MLC transmission) and describe how they intertwine. Finally, we apply the method to Varian's Millennium120 and HD120 MLCs in a TrueBeam linear accelerator for different energies and determine the optimal configuration parameters. The proposed procedure is much faster and streamlined than the typical trial-and-error methods and increases the accuracy of dose calculation in clinical plans. Additionally, the procedure can be useful for standardising the MLC configuration process and it exposes the limitations of the implemented MLC model, providing guidance for further improvement of these models in TPSs.

Keywords

GuidelineHumansImrtMlc modellingModelModels, biologicalMonte-carloMultileaf collimatorParticle acceleratorsPhantoms, imagingPhotonRadiation-field offsetRadiometryRadiotherapyRadiotherapy dosageRadiotherapy planning, computer-assistedTps comissioningTps modellingTransmission

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Physics In Medicine And Biology due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2020, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Radiological and Ultrasound Technology. Notably, the journal is positioned above the 90th percentile.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from the Field Citation Ratio (FCR) of the Dimensions source, it yields a value of: 10.19, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: Dimensions Jun 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-06-23, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 16
  • Scopus: 18
  • Europe PMC: 9
  • OpenCitations: 16

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-23:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 49.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 49 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 6.3.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 10 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Belgium.