Author: Creative Programs and Systems - page 222

The Ins and Outs Of External Radiation

Radiation therapy is given to patients in a few different manners.  In this article we will discuss external-beam radiation therapy.  This method is done using a linear accelerator, otherwise known as a LINAC.  Depending on the type of cancer being treated, the size of the cancer, the location of the cancer and a few other factors radiation oncologist will prescribe the best manner in which radiation therapy should be given.

Linear accelerators deliver photon beams as x-rays or gamma rays.  A photon is a unit of light or other form of electromagnetic radiation, basically a bundle of energy.  The amount of energy in any given photon will vary.  Photons within gamma rays have the uppermost level of energy followed by x-rays.

LINAC form a stream of quick moving particles using electricity that generates amounts of elevated radiation to treat cancer.  Most often external radiation is given as part of an ongoing, daily treatment plan that lasts several weeks.  Exactly how often the radiation is delivered will depend on a number of aspects such as the total amount of radiation that is to be given.

There are several methods in delivering radiation therapy using external beams.  The most commonly used method by radiation oncologists includes 3-D conformal radiation therapy.  3D-CRT uses advanced computer software and highly developed treatment machines such as linear accelerators to deliver the radiation to the location it is needed without releasing radiation to areas outside of the treatment area.

Other methods of delivering radiation therapy using external beams include:

  • IMRT (Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy): IMRT uses a linear accelerator controlled by computers to release a specific dosage of radiation to an exact location within a tumor. This is an incredibly advanced form of high precision radiotherapy that uses high energy x-rays to destroy cancerous cells.  This form of treatment is usually given for about five to eight week, taking weekends off to allow non-cancerous cells to heal.  Each treatment takes about ten minutes to administer.
  • IGRT (Image-Guided Radiation Therapy): Imaging coordinates are utilized to direct the treatment of radiation therapy. The process uses both two and three dimensional images to guide the course of therapy.
  • Tomo Therapy: In tomo therapy a machine that combines IMRT and computed tomography. This treatment options allows radiation specialists to precisely target hard to reach tumors with powerful radiation beams.  The beam is delivered in slices while the patient moves unlike other forms of radiation therapy where the therapy is paused and the treatment is paused and the patient is then set up in a different manner to receive the radiation.
  • Stereotactic Radio surgery: Stereotactic radio surgery is mainly used for cancerous tumors in the head. The beam is aimed at the tumor from several directions around the head.  For this type of therapy to work properly it is important that the head is in the exact same position for treatment and that it does not move at all.

In our next installment we will look more in depth at internal radiation therapy and systematic radiation therapy.  The real talk in these installments will allow you as a patient to ask the most appropriate questions when discussing therapy options with your oncologist.

Acceletronics delivers the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

The Right Way To Do Product Labeling

One of the most commanding tools in marketing is the one that provides you an opportunity to increase sales, the product label.  If the label is unsuccessful then manufacturers have wasted a valuable marketing opportunity.  With the number of products lining the shelves throughout the marketplace there are only seconds for a product to catch the attention of consumers.

Creating a label that can give buyers all the information that they need within seconds is as important as catching their attention visually.  Labels must have both visual appeal and information for both types of consumers.  Graphic artists and label designers have their work cut out for them to effectively create a label that catches consumer’s attention while communicating valuable information about your product.

Product Labeling Done Right

Color:   Attention is grabbed quicker from color than from any words ever could.  In order to create and maintain product consistency choose a few colors to represent your brand and use them for labeling your product lines.  The same collection of colors should be used throughout labeling, marketing, promotional materials, catalogs and websites.  Without even one word being spoken consumers will know what brand is behind the product.

Food products need to take into consideration the flavor of the product.  Colors create imagery in consumers’ minds.  The color purple, for instance, reminds people of grapes and grape flavoring.   Red coloring is used when representing strawberries, apples and/or watermelon.

Imaging:  Just like color, images are used to portray certain messages faster than any text ever could.  Graphic images are appealing to consumer senses and is far more attention grabbing then the written word.  Designers creating custom labels should have a deep understanding between the balance of color, imagery and text.  Too much of any one good thing can lead to a great deal of disorder.

Font: The food and drug administration mandates certain product information be on product labeling. It is important that this information is written in a font that is easy to read.  Another typeface may be used on the product label.  It is best to stick with two font types on the label unless your logo uses unique font type.

For the best representation of your product use a typeface on the products label that represents your brand.  After you have chosen the typeface the next determination that needs to be made is the size of the font.  Consider the overall size of the label as well.  If you find that the text is not legible try to lessen the number of words or the size of the font.

Make sure that your label includes much needed information such as the company and/or product name, contact information, and information that is mandate by the FDA.  By taking this into consideration when designing your company’s label you should be well on your way to selling your product.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Creating Custom Packaging and Labeling For New Products

Are you getting ready to create a new package for your company’s product?  You may be questioning just how important the roll of packaging and labeling is in selling the product itself.   The truth is that label design and product packagings are vital elements in marketing and thus should carry some major weight in the process on a whole. The visual nature of your product plays a major role in the success or failure of your company’s product.

Purpose

The main function of a products labeling and packaging is to guard your product against damage.  Products need to be protected from damage during shipping from the manufacturer to the reseller’s location as well as while it is on display for sale.  All products have some form of packaging.  Chips may come in a package such as a bag for resale but for shipping will be packaged in a box for transit that will never be seen by the public.

Appeal

A product that is packaged and labeled attracts consumers while surrounded by the competition.  Manufacturing companies spend a lot of time and money researching how different colors, designs, and materials function together to appeal to the target market.  Some types of products, like pharmaceuticals, beverages and chemicals consider shrink sleeves to be the most valuable material for label because it is tamper resistant.  The shrink sleeve labeling makes it appear safer and more reliable to consumers.

Marketing

The manner in which your product is packaged and labeled is vital for giving consumers valuable information about your product, company and brand.  The label offers a distinct visual, graphic appeal as well as information on ingredients and product use.

Distinguish   

Your products label and package designs differentiate products from one another. The label makes your brand and product recognizable.  Companies find that by using the same color scheme throughout their product lines makes them more recognizable when surrounded by the competition.  If a shopper can easily spot a product from your brand line they will chose what is familiar.

The label needs to offer enough information to satisfy consumers need while being visually stimulating.  The type of label material is important in consumer’s perceptions as mentioned earlier.  Perception is everything.  Products and brands based on the theory of preserving the environment work with product labels that foster that same concept.  Companies looking to ensure the safety of their product should opt for the tamper resistance of shrink sleeves or flexible packaging.

Consumer buying decisions are often made quite impulsively.  With this in mind it is essential that the label and packaging designers create an impact on the immediate buying decisions of customers.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

Shrink Sleeve Labeling Advantages

There are so many advantages that manufacturers have when looking at shrink sleeves for labeling.  Shrink sleeves are great for marketing purposes because they offer a three hundred and sixty degree surface for self promotion.  They are also popular due to the visual appeal they offer when shelved next to competing products.  Recent technology has not only updated the quality of film used in shrink sleeves but has also helped simplified manufacturing.

Main Advantages With Shrink Sleeve Labeling

Brand Distinctiveness

There are several characteristics of shrink sleeve labeling that make it superior over other labeling options.  One such difference is that it offers a cost effective method to decorate even the most complicated containers.  Along with offering these unique opportunities at differentiating your brand shrink sleeves eliminate the need for colored or thick walled containers which leads to extra cost savings for manufacturers. Cost savings along with an increase in promotional space makes labeling products with shrink sleeves a no brainer.

Full body labeling gives graphic designers, three hundred and sixty degrees to cover with eye catching designs and product information.  Conventional labeling methods make it more difficult to include all the needed information that food and pharmaceutical companies are required to include.  The extra space that shrink sleeves give manufacturers the ability to maintain regulatory standards while graphic designers have space to reach customers with unique graphics, logos and more.

Tamper Resistance

Consumers purchase based on emotions.  This is another main advantage that shrink sleeve labeling has over more traditional methods of labeling such as cut and stack labels.  Shrink sleeves allow consumers peace of mind with labels that are tamper proof.  Unlike other products, packagings that uses shrink sleeve labeling have a three hundred and sixty degree wrap that secures the product.  This is especially important for beverages, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.   Safety is super important to consumers when making a purchase and shrink sleeves allow them to feel that.

Speaking of consumer emotions it is important that a label is designed with their target market in mind.  Shrink sleeves are ideal for consumers looking for product safety.  They are also great for consumers looking for the maximum amount of product information as well.  Shrink sleeves offer space for company and product information that appeal has an effect on consumers looking for reassurance of the company’s reputation. For consumers that purchase based on visual appeal shrink sleeves have them covered as well.

Designers custom design shrink sleeves to offer visual appeal and so much more all while letting the label do what it does naturally which is to protect the product from being tampered with.

At Anchor Printing, we take pride in offering our clients cut & stack labeling, pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed labeling, shrink sleeves as well as flexible packaging options. Contact us today at http://anchorprinting.com for all of your product label design, printing and packaging needs.

The Best and Worst Investments For Your Money

When it comes to home improvement projects homeowners are always looking for ways to improve their own quality life while increases the market value of their homes.  Not all renovations are created equal when it comes to their return on investment.  Although a sunroom might bring you enjoyment buyers may look at it as a waste of space that could have been better utilized as an additional bedroom.

Renovations with a Solid Return on Investment

When it comes to recouping your money on renovation projects nothing has a better return than entry way improvements.  A new front door, especially one made of steel can add more money to the equity of your home then what it actually costs.  Steel doors are three times more affordable then fiberglass and are just as attractive and energy efficient.

A new front entry door, along with an updated rug, fresh seating and colorful flower pots can really increase the exterior appeal of your home.  As for the interior, add a fresh coat of paint and some careful organization to hide the hideous amount of shoes and coats that usually clutter the space.  Updates to the entry of your home are a solid renovation that can turn a profit for homeowners.

Curb appeal sells homes.  Exterior renovations add top dollar to the market value of your home.  Aluminum fencing and vinyl siding are two exterior upgrades that have a high return on investment.   Both work to add to the curb appeal of your home.  Aluminum fencing can be purchased in a variety of styles and colors to enhance your home’s exterior.  Adding aluminum fencing to a landscape that is well kept shows buyers that homeowners care for their home.  This alone adds to a home’s market value.   A home that is maintained appeals to buyers and makes a home easier to sell.

Renovations with a Weak Return on Investment

Certain home improvements are costly and bring in a small ROI thus should be avoided unless it will supersize the enjoyment that the home brings to homeowners.  If working out of your home is a convenience for you a home office may be a renovation that is considered.  Don’t expect the space to increase the value of your home nearly as much as it cost you.  This however, might not deter you from the renovation but it is something to consider when determining the budget for the project.

The same can be said for garage additions, backup generators and sunrooms.  If the renovation is going to be something of value for you as a homeowner then it may be something to consider but don’t look to increase the value of your home with these.

If you are a homeowner looking to only invest a little bit of money into home renovations but wish to greatly increase the value of your home the best place to start is with the exterior of your home.  The updates to curb appeal will truly enhance the value of your home.   On average exterior renovations recoup nearly one hundred and twenty five percent of the projects overall cost.

iFenceUSA offers the widest variety of maintenance-free, no-rust aluminum fences and gates in the industry! Whether you are a pool contractor, a building contractor, an architect, a landscaping professional, or a “do-it-yourself” homeowner looking for exceptional value and installation advice, you’ll benefit by buying wholesale aluminum fences shipped factory-direct to your home or business anywhere in America from www.iFenceUSA.com!

Home Improvements That Increase A Homes Market Value

Owning a home is a dream that many people have.  It is believed that real estate is one of the greatest investments that can be added to a well rounded portfolio.  One issue that plagues homeowners is how to invest money into their house to ensure that the expense of the renovation is recouped in an increase to the homes market value.

It is almost impossible to get a return of investment of one hundred percent on home renovations no matter if the budget is two thousand dollars or twenty thousand dollars.  It is however a good idea to invest in renovations that are proven to increase the value of the property.  Building equity into a home is a smart way to invest money.  Smart investments done around the home can pay homeowners back.

Home improvements that improve the energy efficiency of your home are smart choices as they save you money straight away with a decrease in monthly expenses.  They are also smart choices for resale value in that most homeowners are looking for these upgrades when seeking a home to purchase.  Buyers will pay more for “green” renovations.

Some of the best energy efficient improvements that can be made are upgrades in windows, doors and appliances.  By replacing older, worn out windows that leak saves homeowners on average four to five hundred dollars a year with decreased utility payments.  New, properly sealed windows help to keep the temperature in place.  The same is true of installing a steel entry door.  Both replacements can return close to ninety six percent of their initial cost in resale value while saving on monthly utility expenses. Energy star appliance upgrades also offer a great return on investment and can often offer some serious savings in the form of tax credits.

Exterior home improvements also serve as great projects for homeowners looking to maximize their return of investment while increasing the enjoyment that they get out of their home.  Replacing a garage door, for instance, can cost upwards of fifteen hundred dollars.  This home improvement is on average known to bring in an eighty five percent return on investment with an increase in the homes market value.

New siding and updated shutters can give a home a fresh, modern look that makes a home pop.  Many homeowners comment that new siding; a fresh, updated color can make a home that they have lived in for years feel brand new.  The ROI on an improvement such as this can be upwards of eighty percent.

As a homeowner, if you are seeking something a bit more classic out of exterior remodeling install aluminum fencing.  Not only does aluminum fencing increase the aesthetics of the landscape it adds to the homes security.  Over other types of landscape improvements, aluminum fencing is preferred because it is easy to maintain and its presence within the yard is surprisingly powerful to the overall look of the home.  When installed within a well kept landscape, aluminum fencing can alter the entire look of the home’s exterior and increase the market value of your home.

iFenceUSA offers the widest variety of maintenance-free, no-rust aluminum fences and gates in the industry! Whether you are a pool contractor, a building contractor, an architect, a landscaping professional, or a “do-it-yourself” homeowner looking for exceptional value and installation advice, you’ll benefit by buying wholesale aluminum fences shipped factory-direct to your home or business anywhere in America from www.iFenceUSA.com!

Increasing Your Homes Value

One common goal between all homeowners is to increase their homes value.  The majority of home renovations are intended to increase the enjoyment homeowners receive out of their home.  With any luck these same improvements will add equity to the home as well.  Quality is the key to home improvements.  From aluminum fencing to hardwood flooring, upgrades that are done using top quality materials and installed by skilled professionals will bring an increase in value to your home.

How can you increase your home’s value without breaking the bank?

Exterior Enhancements

The exterior of your home can be enhanced in a number of ways.  Some outdoor features increase the enjoyment of the space for homeowners more than others.  Consider increasing the aesthetics of landscape while adding privacy with the installation of aluminum fencing. Other exterior renovations to consider are updates to siding, new doors for the garage and front door, and landscaping.  Exterior enhancements return up to seventy five percent of the overall initial investment. Homeowners will enjoy improvements to their homes curb appeal while being rewarded with a substantial return on investment.

Fabulous Flooring

At some point homeowners will contemplate replacement flooring.  Whether replacing dingy carpet or worn out vinyl homeowners should carefully consider replacement options that work to accentuate the home.  Hardwood flooring is not the only choice when looking to increase the home’s value.  Quality carpet, ceramic tiling and engineered flooring are all affordable flooring options that improve the homes aesthetic value while increasing the value of the home.  Flooring professionals point out that a thousand dollar flooring investment is likely to add upwards of two thousand dollars back into the homes equity.

Beautiful Bathrooms

Homeowners know that updated kitchens and bathrooms work in their advantage when selling their homes.  What most don’t consider is that these room renovations don’t need to be extreme.  Small upgrades in a bathroom space can really transform the space.  To inexpensively update your homes bathroom consider sweat equity.  Fresh caulk, clean grout, bleach white sinks, toilets and tubs, updated fixtures, and hardware can turn an ordinary bathroom into a space that has a huge impact.

Reduce Rubbish

The number one way to increase the value of your home is to reduce clutter.  The best part about this improvement to the home is that it doesn’t cost the homeowners anything but time.  When a home is free of clutter it not only looks bigger it also appears cleaner.  The perception of outsiders is that the home is taken care of and that maintenance around the home has been performed.  This may not be the reality but it certainly is the perception that others get when coming into a space that is free of clutter.  Even if homeowners are not looking to sell their homes anytime soon there is something to be said for a space that is tidy to call their own.

No matter how you choose to improve your home, whether it is aluminum fencing or updated bathroom fixtures, make sure that the updates will increase the enjoyment you get out of the space.

iFenceUSA offers the widest variety of maintenance-free, no-rust aluminum fences and gates in the industry! Whether you are a pool contractor, a building contractor, an architect, a landscaping professional, or a “do-it-yourself” homeowner looking for exceptional value and installation advice, you’ll benefit by buying wholesale aluminum fences shipped factory-direct to your home or business anywhere in America from www.iFenceUSA.com!

Radiation Therapy As A Treatment For Cancer

In this installment radiation therapy as a treatment for cancer we will look deeper into why some cancer patients receive radiation and some don’t.  We will also concentrate on how individual radiation therapy differs from patient to patient.

Radiation therapy is administered with two different intents: curative and palliative.  When radiation is given with a curative intent the hope that physicians have is that it will cure the cancer.  The treatment is given with the goal of eliminating the tumor and/or preventing a reoccurrence.  When radiation is administered as a cure it can be delivered alone or in conjunction with surgery and/or chemotherapy.

When radiation is administered with a palliative intent the objective is no longer a cure but instead given to relieve the symptoms and reduce any suffering that may be occurring because of the location of the cancer.  Often palliative radiation therapy is given to patients suffering with brain cancer, when the cancer is pressing on the spine or near the esophagus.

The treatment of cancer is individualized to each unique patient scenario.  Treatment planning begins with a radiation oncologist performs simulation.  During simulation, imaging scans are taken to show the size and location of tumors and the area surrounding the tumor.  There are a number of scans that can be used during this process including CT scans, MRI’s, PET’s and ultrasound.

The most common method involves CT scans.  The process of performing a CT scan is fairly straight forward.  The cancer patient will have pictures taken of the inside of their bodies using a computer that is connected to an x-ray machine.  It is important during any simulation scans that the patient remains still and is located in the exact same location each time.  To help cancer patients stay positioned for longer periods of times, molds and head masks have been constructed.

Once the simulation is performed and the radiation oncologist is pleased with the images obtained they can create a detail plan for treatment.  This plan will include exact details on the size and location of the tumor, the size of the area to be treated, the dose of radiation that will be given, how much of the normal tissue will be exposed and the safest angle to direct the radiation.  Once the plan is approved treatment will begin.

Certain tissues are more delicate than others therefore the method in which radiation therapy is given differs. In some cases radiation is delivered through external beams using a machine known as a linear accelerator or linac for short.  Internal radiation is another method used to provide radiation therapy.  Your radiation oncologist will authorize the best course of action for the specific cancer being addressed.

Acceletronics delivers the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

Reducing Medical Equipment Repair Costs

Is your medical facility looking to reduce the costs involved in repairing medical equipment used to treat patients?  There are three important questions to answer when deciding how your facility will reduce the costs associated with repairing medical equipment.

First, it is important to know the overall expense for annual medical equipment maintenance and repair including repairs that are made in-house, those that are outsources, OEM, T&M and more.  Next, it is essential to determine the cost of long term contracts that are in place regarding maintenance on medical equipment.  Be sure to take note of what type of maintenance and repairs are covered by the long term contract.  The last question that needs to be answered is what the actual cost reduction goal for the facility is.  After these three questions are answered clarity regarding a plan of action in reducing the repair costs of medical equipment in your facility can reached.

Medical facilities are facing a myriad of uncertainties.  There is a need for healthcare facilities to find ways to trim expenses and cut careless spending.  It is vital that medical facilities recognize, measure, implement, and maintain a cost reduction strategy regarding maintenance and repairs to medical equipment in order to remain operational while enduring economic downturns.

In order to find ways to save money a facility needs to understand the cost of their current medical equipment maintenance program.  To clearly see the big picture of the program that is currently in place it is key that all of the contracts regarding equipment maintenance are taken into consideration.  The contracts should be completely understood.  What do the contracts cover?  Are failed parts replaced as a part of the contract? Does the contract fully cover the expense of labor and parts?  Does the plan cover the expenses incurred whether they are in house, outsourced?  What about the time and cost of materials be it new or refurbished?  Reducing the costs within a medical facility are never easy but having a clearer understanding of the bigger picture and overall costs helps.

Take a complete inventory of all of the medical equipment that your facility currently has on hand.  From linear accelerators to CT scanners access the number of pieces, their overall condition, repair history, replacement parts that have been installed and everything in between.  Determine what is still being paid on the contracts.  Many times facilities find that they are still paying on maintenance contracts on equipment that is no longer being used by the medical facility.

One way to cut costs is through this inventory process.  There is no reason to pay on contracts on equipment that is no longer in use at the facility.  By evaluating the current medical equipment in your facility and removing excess unused equipment or canceling contracts on equipment no longer at the facility medical facilities can save a significant amount of money.

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment.  We provide high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment.  For more information on low cost parts for repairing Linac equipment find us at http://www.radparts.com.

Budgeting For the Expense of Medical Equipment

One of the biggest issues facing medical facilities is the cost of purchasing, maintaining, and operation much needed medical equipment.  Linear accelerators can cost anywhere between three to four million dollars to purchase.  When budgeting for such large scale equipment, facilities should consider that maintenance on a linear accelerator can average approximately half a million dollars each year.  This figure does not include any of the expense in regards to personal involved in operations.

Medical facilities, especially cancer facilities need to be equipped with state of the art, reliable equipment in order to achieve a high level of patient care.  As medical linear accelerators start to age the machines reliability starts to decrease and errors increase.  The average lifetime of a machine like a linear accelerator or CT scanner is between five to ten years.  Medical machinery errors can often be detoured by upgrades in software or by replacing parts with parts that have been refurbished that bring machine back to its original state.

Many companies that offer linear accelerators for sale also offer maintenance contractors or are affiliated with refurbished linear accelerator part distributors.  There are several levels of support that facilities can choose from.  So many medical facilities are facing budget constraints that they are often left choosing between updates on machine software, operating manuals or continued training for machine operators and physicists.  All of which is above and beyond the initial expense and regular maintenance of the machine itself.

Another dilemma that plagues medical facilities needing large pieces of medical equipment to diagnosis and treat patients is the pressure of production.  Each piece of machinery is expected to pay for itself overtime its lifetime.  The pressure is even more present when used in a profit generating facility verse a non-profit medical facility.

The demands of patient care and quality, error free treatment also plagues medical facilities operation large equipment like CT scanners and linear accelerators.  When treating illnesses such as cancer it is crucial that treatment follows a certain schedule.  Most cancer patients are experiencing enough disruption in life that the last thing they need is scheduling conflicts because of issues pertaining to medical equipment.

It is crucial that through all of the pressures involved with purchasing, maintaining and operating medical equipment like linear accelerators and ct scanners that repairs are done properly.  Medical equipment repair specialists should maintain quality and consistency when faced with these specific issues.  Patient care should remain the top priority with medical facilities.  Repair specialists main objective is to maintain stock of new and refurbished linear accelerator parts, be competent and complete in the work they perform and be decisive when working with medical facilities to ensure proper care and maintenance of large scaled medical equipment.

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment.  The mission is to provide high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment.  For more information on low cost parts for repairing Linac equipment find us at http://www.radparts.com.