Electron radiotherapy

Abstract

A manually operated multi-leaf collimation device (mEMLC) for electron beam shaping in radiotherapy, substantially made of aluminum alloy. It consists of a structural frame with insertion guides for direct coupling to the applicator cone of the treatment head and a plurality of independent leaves arranged in opposing banks. Shaping is performed manually on a 1:1 scale template, fixing the position of the leaves by means of an eccentric locking system with a mechanical lever actuation that operates by friction. The design is optimized to attenuate energies up to 15 MeV, reducing bremsstrahlung contamination and improving dosimetric penumbra by eliminating electronics and motors.