Design and characterisation of a minibeam collimator utilising Monte Carlo simulation and a clinical linear accelerator

Abstract

Objective. Spatially fractionated radiotherapy is showing promise as a treatment modality. Initial focus was on beams of photons at low energy produced from a synchrotron but more recently research has expanded to include applications in proton therapy. Interest in photon beams remains and this is the focus of this paper Approach. This study presents a 3D printed tungsten minibeam collimator intended to produce peak-to-valley dose ratios (PVDR) of between seven and ten with a 1 MV, bremsstrahlung generated, photon beam. The design of the collimator is motivated by a Monte Carlo study estimating the PVDR for different collimator designs at different energies. This collimator was characterised on a clinical linear accelerator (Elekta VersaHD) as well as an orthovoltage unit. Main results. The performance of the fabricated collimator was measured on Elekta VersaHD running in unflattened mode with a 6 MV beam. On the Elekta VersaHD units the PVDR was measured to be between approximately 1.5 and 2.0 at 3 cm deep. For measurements with the orthovoltage unit PVDRs of greater than 10 were observed at a depth of 4 cm. Significance. The results confirmed that the predictions from simulation could be reproduced on linear accelerators currently in clinical usage, producing PVDRs between 2–2.5. Using the model to predict PVDRs using 1 MV photon beams, the threshold considered to produce enhanced normal tissue dose tolerance ( > 7) was surpassed. This suggests the possibility of using such techniques with versions of existing Linac technology which have been modified to operate at low energy and high beam currents.