In radiation therapy, a multileaf collimator, or MLC, is used to shape the beam generated by a linac. Its design, based on years of research and development, incorporates industrial-grade rubies to monitor and control the leaves. Here, Giulia Thompson, our head of advanced development engineering for linac, explains how these gemstones help clinicians precisely target cancer cells. | Elekta

Precision Radiation Beam Shaping - A MultiLeaf Collimator (MLC) is a device used in radiation therapy to shape and control the radiation beam for precise targeting of tumors while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissues. It consists of multiple thin metal leaves, typically made of tungsten, that can move independently to create customized beam shapes. Follow @intelligencego MLCs are essential in Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT),