Category: Acceletronics - page 11

New vs. Refurbished: Benefits of Purchasing Refurbished Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners.

Should your practice or healthcare center spend mega bucks on a totally new linear accelerator and CT scanner or should you look for refurbished options? This is a question many management-level staff ask themselves when they need new equipment. Of course, they’d rather just skip all the headaches and purchase new equipment but that’s not always the best option for a practice or center that is strapped for cash and might not be able to afford the huge costs associated with new equipment. This is why it’s sometimes better to simply purchase refurbished line accelerators and CT scanners! Here are some more reasons why it’s better to go with refurbished equipment:

Allows you to focus more money on growing your business:

It doesn’t matter if you’re a new practice or simply adding a new treatment room to your facility.  Why spend all that money on new equipment when you can get the same quality and use from refurbished linear accelerators? You can easily use the extra money saved elsewhere within your practice.

This way, you’ll be able to have new equipment and treat more patients, helping your bottom line. Simply put, when you buy refurbished equipment, you have more spending power for other things in your budget that might be more vital to growing your practice.

Improve patient care:

By freeing up budget dollars with refurbished equipment, you’ll be able to use those dollars somewhere else to improve your practice and how you treat your patients. You’ll be able to improve your practice for the better, which will in turn improve patient care. Upgrades, more staff, and the like can all be used when you save extra money purchasing refurbished radiation oncology equipment.

Increased peace of mind:

Just as you would have peace of mind with a new piece of equipment, purchasing refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners will do the same when you buy from a reputable company.  Refurbished companies that also offer service and repair services and have access to radiation oncology equipment parts are the best option when purchasing equipment.  Even though they’ve been refurbished, they come with a guarantee, so it’s almost like buying a new piece of equipment, but without the huge costs. Refurbished pieces are certified and will be delivered in working condition.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

Maintaining Radiation Oncology Equipment

The challenging activity of repairing and maintaining the radiation oncology equipment which is used by doctors in various hospitals and clinics is done by companies that provide biomedical equipment maintenance services. These companies provide in-house repairing services, 24/7. These companies make sure that whenever an equipment failure occurs, a professional is always available to come and sort out the problem with the equipment so that medical operations can be continued as soon as possible.

Repairing linear accelerators, CT scanners, and other radiation oncology equipment is complex and complicated, there is no space for mistakes. The problem must be dealt with using careful consideration as these machines are to produce test results with a lot of accuracy and precision.  Therefore, any problem in the functioning of the equipment left unchecked or overlooked can prove to be a great disaster. Thus, it is crucial to get the equipment functioning properly in the shortest time possible.

Some equipment names that may require the availability of such biomedical equipment professional technicians are LINAC and CT scanners who check if the equipment works properly or if refurbishment of the equipment or its reconditioning is required.

Reconditioned Linear Accelerators

A Linear Accelerator (LINAC) is a delicate and complicated medical equipment that uses microwave technology to create photon beams as radiation that pass-through the human body to finish the tumors in human body. The body is exposed to strong radiations known as radiation therapy for removal of cancer. Thus, the reconditioned linear accelerators must have their calibration right. Their calibration must be done by professionals with a lot of experience in repairing and maintaining such mechanical and sensitive devices. As it takes a lot of time to repair it, the servicing of LINAC is costly as well.

Refurbished CT Scanners

CT scanner, on the other hand, is also a sensitive equipment which also produces radiations using microwave technology to create photon beams. But, these radiations are a lot less strong than those of a linear accelerator. These low concentration radiations are known as X-rays which are passed through the human body for the detection of any existing tumors in the body. This process is known as CT-scanning i.e. computed tomography scanning. Refurbished CT scanners have a risk of mis-calibration. A refurbished CT scanner machine that is calibrated incorrectly means wrong medical reports of the patient or risking the health of that patient by exposing him to excessively strong radiations damaging his body cells.

Challenges Faced Buying Equipment

The most common challenged faced while buying equipment for the hospital or a clinic is that it costs a lot. Many are left with the only option of buying a reconditioned linear accelerator and a reconditioned CT scanner to make their medical facility operative or update it. This calls for those biomedical equipment service providers to get their equipment checked regularly for any malfunctions or the need of recalibration. If they are regularly serviced and maintained, you are good to go.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Top 5 Reasons to Purchase Refurbished Radiation Oncology Equipment

If there is anything in the world that can slightly help cancer patients, it maintains a special place in the world of medical equipment. Linear accelerators along with other oncology equipment, for this very reason, and for being very highly technological, are rather expensive. Not all medical centers that help cancer patients can afford to buy new oncology equipment. In order to help the maximum number of cancer patients treated, we recommend buying reconditioned linear accelerators. What most people think is that a refurbished linear accelerator will be faulty or may end up costing more in maintenance than a new purchase however, that isn’t true at all. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should actually opt for a refurbished linear accelerator.

Prevent Downtime In Treatment

The world isn’t a perfect place. Mishaps do happen, and they happen at the most unexpected times. If your medical center cannot afford more than one linear accelerators at one time, you can easily opt for one new and one reconditioned linear accelerator.  Equipment that isn’t faulty will be there as a backup option in case something goes wrong with the first priority equipment.

Treat More Patients

Look at it this this way: you have the budget of one new linear accelerator. That will only treat the number of patients that single equipment can handle at a time. On the other hand, you can utilize your budget to get two refurbished linear accelerators and help twice the number of patients. You’ll save some bucks and get something just as good as new.

Budget Allows for More Purchases

You can save money by purchasing refurbished equipment. This will give you room to improve your other facilities that are also required by the patients. Other than equipment, you require qualified staff, well-maintained area, and also other technology. You can do it all by staying in your budget if you opt for reconditioned equipment rather than purchasing everything new.

Financial Planning

Running a medical center isn’t just about investing in equipment or treating patients. Although that is the main aspect, there are other things to look into as well. As a business, you need to make sure that you have enough financial backup to survive even if the economic conditions go down. For this reason, you shouldn’t spend on just a single piece of new equipment.

Peace of Mind

If you’re making a well-thought purchase, your reconditioned linear accelerator will give you no trouble. Buying from a reliable source will allow you to have the peace of mind just the same way as you would when you would have bought brand new equipment. All this while you would have saved money, and probably used those dollars in another important aspect of the treatment. Your experience would be the same, whether you buy new equipment or a refurbished one.

 

With these 5 reasons, you shouldn’t have any more thinking to do. Start your search for a reconditioned linear accelerator in good condition right away.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Preventative LINAC Maintenance: Unscheduled Repairs Impact Treatment

Radiotherapy engineers conduct preventative maintenance and repairs on equipment used for radiotherapy. Predictive and preventative maintenance of the complex equipment which includes linear accelerators, teletherapy systems, radiotherapy simulators, digital x-ray systems, among many more.

Quality management within a radiation therapy clinic involves maintaining, servicing and supporting linear accelerators. When a linear accelerator breaks down, the physician in charge or other clinic employees usually inform the support team who send engineers out to the location to do the repair. Unscheduled servicing on linear accelerators can have a significant impact on treatment. Patients going through radiation therapy should get the treatment at specific times. When linear accelerators malfunction, it means the patients must be moved to other centers for treatment or have their treatment rescheduled. As a clinic, this can have a negative impact on your business and it is, therefore, important to have the problem resolved as fast as possible.

To minimize the impact of downtown due to equipment failure maintenance must be kept up to date.  To decrease the impact of equipment failure we suggest:

  1. Reducing the processes involved in reporting the issue to the support engineers. Sometimes the process involved in reporting issues to the support engineers and have them dispatch people to five the machines can be too lengthy. The longer it takes to send a team over, the longer it will take before patients can receive treatment.
  2. When there are repetition and redundancies in reporting the incident, it takes the support engineers a long time to resolve the issue. Time is of the essence when making unscheduled repairs on linear accelerators.
  3. Cancer patients going through radiation therapy have compromised immunities because of the illness and the radiation treatment. If a Linear accelerator breaks down, the clinic might have to take patients to another facility for treatment. Moving patients who have a weakened immune system increases the risk of infection which could be detrimental to the patient’s health.
  4. Linear accelerators are critical for administering radiation therapy to cancer patients. When a linear accelerator needs to be fixed, it means patients who were scheduled to use that machine will not get their scheduled treatments and even if they do so from another center they will still be inconvenienced.

Ensuring cancer patients have access to treatment is extremely imperative. Linear accelerator support engineers cannot prevent breakdowns entirely, but rapid repair of the machines goes a long way in minimizing the impact on patients’ treatment.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

How Do Linear Accelerators Work to Treat Cancer?

A linear accelerator also considered as LINAC is a standard method of producing photons and electrons for radiation therapy treatments, generating energy for external beam radiation treatments for cancer. Linear accelerators now account for most of the treatment machines used today and are complex, computer-powered systems that deliver precise, highly controlled doses of radiation to treat patients. The linear accelerator triggers electrons to speed up as they penetrate a wave-guide and shoots the particles at a heavy metal target, forming high-energy x-rays. Lines of accelerated x-ray radiation are shaped to target a tumor or surgery site, limiting radiation exposure to healthy tissue while destroying the cancer cells.

 

For instance, a LINAC may be used during the whole breast or accelerated partial and Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). It can be brought into the operating room for intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) during a lumpectomy for breast cancer.

Abilities of LINAC Technology

To avoid damaging healthy surrounding tissue with too high a dose of radiation during multi-session treatments, LINAC expertise are most frequently used. The most important use of LINAC technology may be its ability to target larger brain and body cancers with a reduced amount of damage to healthy surrounding tissues. The device also has several other medical uses. Its radiation can suppress the rejection of an organ transplant, restrain the immune systems of people undergoing marrow and blood replacement and alter certain cardiovascular neurological and disorders.

Receiving The Service Needed For Repairs

However, despite the numerous benefit of the LINAC, servicing linear accelerators can be a very demanding  job. Hiring full-time in-house technicians are mostly daunting as most medical facilities choose to work with a company that is on call to service medical equipment. Working with a company that provides services such as repairing LINAC systems ensure that if at any point the equipment fails, a technician is on call and can immediately begin working to get your equipment back up and running.

 

Repairing LINAC systems immediately is imperative to the emergent treatment of patients. Not only is it important to have a company that services LINAC system available at your fingertip, it is crucial that they have access to the parts that will be needed to fix all issues. Our linear accelerator repairs are available whenever you need it which means if your LINAC accelerator needs to be repaired bright and early on, we can come out and fix it. We offer onsite 24 hours LINAC system repair services. We’re able to respond to any repairs that involve servicing LINAC system within 24 hours or less with a trained professional headed your way.

Proper Maintenance For Your Equipment

In addition to repairing LINAC systems, we also offer equipment preventative maintenance, which virtually goes hand-in-hand with linear accelerators repairs. When you take the proper care of your linear accelerator with continuous maintenance, then you’re able to keep your equipment in tip-top shape to ensure everything is working correctly. You’re able to have many benefits to ensure your Linear accelerator is in the best shape when you employ the use of companies that are expert in repairing LINAC systems. Your life is busy with the pressures of your career already; why don’t we take a few worries from your plate and allow us to take care of all the tasks that involve servicing LINAC systems?

 

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Linear Accelerators Deliver Accuracy in Patient Care

A linear accelerator is one of the best tools to use for eradicating tumors in a cancer patient. In the past, one of the problems with cancer treatment was that healthy normal cells were killed too. But with a LINAC, linear accelerator, this machine delivers elevated electrons or energy x-rays that conform to the tumor’s form. It focuses on destroying cancer cells while sparing the surrounding normal tissues.

 

LINAC systems also contain numerous incorporated measures of protection that will ensure that they only deliver the most accurate dosage to patients. Therefore, servicing linear accelerators is an extremely valuable part of the entire process, as well as requiring constant checking by a medical physicist to ensure that they continue working properly.

Before a Procedure Begins

A patient who has been scheduled for radiation therapy with a LINAC will undergo a long and stringent process to ensure accuracy and safety. This begins with an appointment with the radiation oncologist. The oncologist will then collaborate with the radiation dosimetrist and a medical physicist to develop the best treatment plan. Before treatment proceeds, the patient’s own doctor will review and double check this plan before it can begin.

 

There will also be quality assurance procedures put in place to ensure that the patient remains safe during the procedure. These procedures are also put in place so that if multiple treatments are required, that the patient will receive each one in the exact same manner.

 

A LINAC is most frequently used for external radiation beam treatment for patients with cancer. Linear accelerators treat all parts and organs of the body and the organs that may have cancer. The machine delivers high-energy x-rays or electrons to the center of the patient’s tumor. It destroys the cancer cells while sparing surrounding tissue.

How a LINAC Works

The LINAC uses a microwave technology that is like radar technology. It accelerates electrons so that they collide with a heavy metal target that produces high energy x-rays. These are shaped to conform to the exact shape of the patient’s tumor.

 

The patient lies on a movable couch during treatment. The patient must be in the right position for the most effective treatment. The couch can be moved up, down, left, right, and left in and out. The beam is directed from a gantry which is rotated around the patient.

 

There are a variety of experts who operate this equipment. It’s important that the LINAC be regularly serviced. There are qualified businesses who perform regular servicing of linear accelerators.

Repairs May Be Needed On LINAC Systems

In some instances, the LINAC may need to be repaired. The machine will deliver errors and reports and not turn on if it’s not safe. This is when clinics and hospitals need to call in technicians for repairing LINAC systems. It can be difficult to determine what has gone wrong, as the LINAC system is complex. It may simply need servicing, or it may need certain parts replaced.

 

If your facility’s linear accelerator is due for servicing, please contact us today so that your facility can continue to delivery accuracy in patient care.

 

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

What You Should Know When Repairing LINAC Systems

linear accelerator service engineer is responsible for the repair, testing, and calibration of imaging and clinical equipment, devices, instruments, and systems. In addition to the inspection and installation of LINAC systems, it is an accelerator service engineer’s role to repair defective medical equipment and provide scheduled maintenance of specialized equipment in accordance with departmental and manufacturer protocols and specifications on a routine basis. Consider the following points when servicing or repairing LINAC systems:

  1. Know the parts of a LINAC system

Even though third generation LINACS are now computerized and have improved beam modifying systems, you still need to be conversant with some if not all the main units of a LINAC, including the major components that are housed in a modular cabinet. Do you know what a klystron or magnetron is, or a wave guide, a circulator, an electron gun, including the water systems the LINAC is composed of and much more?

  1. Diagnose and correct system and equipment malfunctions

As a linear accelerator service engineer, you should develop accuracy in judgment, planning, technique, and confidence in dealing with systems emergencies and malfunctions when servicing linear accelerators. You must exhibit knowledge of the various elements of a LINAC system, analyze the situation and take the appropriate action so that your clients can have more confidence and trust in your work.

  1. Maintain accurate records of work performed

Whether maintenance is scheduled or unscheduled, it’s important to keep a comprehensive record to help you keep track of all the maintenance work. Records also enable you to arrange a time to provide maintenance on the machine when needed, at the same time it ensures that the LINAC system that you have already repaired is safe to work with and you can prove it with your records if necessitated.

The records should also show the customer’s details, the detail of the complaint, when you arrived at the job site and the evidence documenting that the LINAC system was checked. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended schedule.

  1. Use quality OEM replacement parts

Linear accelerator parts and accessories are met with strict guidelines throughout the reconditioning process. In the event you are called to repair LINAC Systems, and you must replace an important LINAC part, ensure that the accelerator parts meet and exceed the OEM specifications, but always talk to the client to make sure that they are willing to meet the costs.

  1. Linear accelerator removal and disposal

A LINAC is a very heavy medical equipment and challenging to remove. The removal and disposal of medical equipment of either radiation, oncology or imaging equipment is an important skill set for all equipment engineers who are required by law to comply with state regulations, for liability and safety reasons.

Work with experienced riggers who have the appropriate equipment to remove a linear accelerator and with a knowledge of pulling the concrete around the base frame of a LINAC system without damaging it because most LINACs can be recycled and reused.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

Tips for Purchasing Refurbished Linear Accelerators

Servicing a LINAC system requires a lot of carefully planned procedures.  This is because servicing a linear accelerator incorrectly would have effects on the LINAC machine itself.  LINAC systems are very complex and sophisticated piece of medical equipment, hence one must be experienced to repair medical equipment of such complexity.

Refurbished VS New

A linear accelerator is a device commonly used for treating cancerous tumors.  Because of this singular reason, it is very difficult to really choose if getting new parts or repairing the machine is going to be feasible or if purchasing a new or refurbished linear accelerator is a better choice for your need.

 

Refurbished linear accelerators and refurbished parts are suited for both repairs and maintenance.  They are suitable for startup medical companies, research companies, and companies that are looking to purchase additional pieces.  The cost of purchasing a refurbished linear accelerator and accelerators parts are low in comparison to buying a new one.

 

Buying a refurbished linear accelerator is advantageous in growing a medical practice and managing expenses at the same time. There are important things to note when buying a refurbished linear accelerator.  It is imperative to plan.

Factors To Consider When Planning A Purchase

Plan for a new piece of medical equipment by defining your clinical goals and what technology would bring your desired results before setting out to purchase the refurbished linear accelerator.  In planning, their important things you need to consider.

 

  • SITE – Room dimension, power, water supply, local permits, room dimension, and future technology are very important considerations to be made when installing a radiation equipment such as a linear accelerator.
  • BUDGET – The technology, manufacturer, and age of your acquired equipment is a function of your budget. This is one of the reasons why purchasing a refurbished linear accelerator is advised for startups – it affords them the chance to carry out another essential part of their practice.
  • TIMING – It is vital for achieving milestone such as equipment acceptance testing date, installation date, and going live with the linear accelerator. It is cool to be flexible with the timing.

Using the Professionals

Since the process is handled by different experts, it is imperative for them to form a cohesive team. The equipment provider, the physics support team, IT integration team, and the clinical implementation team must all work in agreement for the successful implementation of the linear accelerator.

 

A professional should handle the installation of the linear accelerator. A linear accelerator should only be installed by a specialist in his field and must possess a wealth of experience and expertise. Doing a thorough background check on linear accelerator equipment providers is important for credibility, accountability and reliability purpose.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

 

 

What Role does a LINAC System Play in Cancer Radiation Therapy?

Cancer is a disease that affects people all over the world. There aren’t any guaranteed cures for the fatal disease. However, one-way cancer is treated is through radiation therapy. In this, high-energy rays are used to prevent cancer cells from dividing and spreading further in the body. The rays damage the cells which is why they lose their ability to grow and spread. Linear accelerators or LINAC systems are large scaled pieces of equipment used for radiation therapy. Therefore, a lot of companies have started servicing LINAC systems and offer medical equipment repair as well.

How is a LINAC system used?

Linear accelerators emit x-rays or electrons with high energy. The specialty of this device is that it can attack cancer cells while preventing damage to other healthy cells of the body. Therefore, the patient’s body itself is free of harm and only the cancer tumor is attacked. Treatment using a LINAC system is suitable for use on any body part, so it can treat every kind of cancer tumor. The device works with multiple techniques, for example, IMRT, VMAT, IGRT, SRS, SBRT etc.

Servicing linear accelerators is vital for the proper working of the system. Radiation therapy is the treatment option for many types of cancers. There are few precautions that can be taken when working with radiation. LINAC systems emit strong radiation beams which is why they are able to kill cancer cells. Without servicing LINAC systems, the best treatment results cannot be ensured. Repairing medical equipment like LINAC systems is extremely important in ensuring its suitability for medical treatments.

LINAC Mechanism

The equipment works like a radar in terms of its microwave technology. There is a part inside the linear accelerator where electrons are accelerated. When they meet the metal compartment, these electrons convert to high-energy x-rays. Special devices ensure that these x-rays leave the LINAC in the exact shape of the patient’s tumor so that only the specific area is treated. This is what makes servicing linear accelerators such a vital part of the whole treatment. If there is even the slightest misalignment, the radiation could attack the wrong part of the patient’s body harming valuable, healthy tissues.

In order to make sure that the radiation reaches the correct part of the patient’s body, the patient is set on a moveable couch. This couch can be repositioned in any direction to make sure the tumor is at the right angle and distance from the radiations. Alongside this, the LINAC emits the x-rays from a part called gantry. The gantry can be rotated to alter the angles of the emissions as well.

Safety

With such a powerful mechanism, there is no room for a mistake. The linear accelerator is designed to never emit a higher radiation than the oncologist’s prescription. Thus, servicing LINAC systems and repairing medical equipment becomes a point of life or death. If the device is functioning perfectly, the security of the patient is maintained.

LINAC systems play a major role in cancer therapy and so does repairing them. It is something that cannot be risked at any cost.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.

Maintaining Radiation Oncology Equipment

Biomedical equipment technicians have the arduous job of repairing medical equipment used in hospitals and various health practitioner’s office. These machines are quite complex and carry out work that the normal human being can’t such as processing x-rays into visible images or magnifying test samples thousands of times, therefore any glitch, malfunction, or downtime is unacceptable because it can affect the entire medical procedure, which in all cases, is life-saving.

Technical Skills Involved With LINAC Servicing

Servicing LINAC systems takes a certain level of technical skills and the use of both mechanical skills and software know-how to fix the delicate parts of a linear accelerator. A LINAC uses microwave technology to create high energy electron beams or X-rays known as Photons beams. When these high-energy photons are created they are then directed to a patient’s tumor and are shaped as they exit the LINAC to conform to the tumor

Servicing linear accelerators is time-consuming, nonetheless, they can be successfully operated, maintained and repaired, but only when done by people with a background experience in capacity building, installing, commissioning, calibrating, servicing and repairing linear accelerators. Components of a LINAC are highly sensitive suffice it to say, costly. Take, for example; the drive stand comprises of the klystron, which is also used in high energy physics, provides medical linacs with the source of microwave power to accelerate the electrons by amplifying introduced radio frequency electromagnetic waves. The job of biomedical equipment technicians is to not only get it right the first time but also to ensure that they check their work for any anomalies to alleviate future disruptions.

Components Of An Accelerator

Other components that a technician must check when servicing linear accelerators are the RF waveguide, the circulator, which connects the klystron and the RF waveguide, and the cooling water system, all, which are vital components of the drive stand that needs to work at optimal capacity. Additionally, the modular cabinet of the LINAC systems, which is located in the treatment room, contains three subcomponents that also need to work symbiotically. They are:

  • The power distribution system
  • The fan control that cools the power distribution system
  • The auxiliary power distribution system which contains off button that shuts down the power to the LINAC in case of an emergency

The water cooling system that is located in the drive stand and gantry cannot be allowed to fail at any moment because not only does it provide thermal stability to the whole LINAC system, but it also allows all the components in the gantry and drive stand to operate at a constant temperature.

Equally so, the monitor ionizing chambers used to screen field symmetry, integrated dose and dose range, as well as the multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) that are used to create a block that spares normal tissue and direct the radiation dose to the tumor, are two important elements in the treatment delivery of radiotherapy.

Checked and Maintained For Accuracy

They, therefore, must be checked when servicing linear accelerators to ensure that there are accurate dosimetry, mechanical precision, and imaging during RT treatment.

Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models. Learn more about Acceletronics and their selection of new and refurbished linear accelerators and CT scanners today at http://www.acceletronics.com.  To contact one of our LINAC experts call 610.524.3300.