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.

Should You Repair It or Replace It: LINAC Systems

LINAC, linear accelerators, are an essential part of treating tumors and destroying cancer cells in people, while leaving the normal tissue alone. While this is an effective treatment for specific types of cancers, as the machines have built-in safety measures that only deliver the required dosage, they can also start to fail over time. When the system fails you will question whether you should continue to repair it or if it is time to replace it.

The Importance Of Regular Maintenance

It’s up to the medical physicist to ensure that their clinic or hospital’s LINAC system is functioning properly. If there is any doubt, repairing or replacing medical equipment may be required.  It’s important that all patients who’ve been scheduled for radiation therapy are assured of safe and accurate treatment. They need to also be assured of timely treatment, with few delays. Treatment is more specialized and intricate with linear accelerators. It’s very important to keep to regular servicing LINAC systems.

Servicing linear accelerators is a specialty that is best left to the professionals. There are many safety checks in place. The LINAC itself may present warnings that it’s due for servicing LINAC systems.  When warnings are present it is important to see what needs to be repaired and to see if repairing it or replacing it with a refurbished linear accelerator is the best choice.

Keeping Machine Functionality Effective

There are a wide range of professionals who use this equipment to help patients. The medical physicist and the dosimetrist will determine the exact prescribed dosage, and calculate the right amount of time for that dosage. The oncologist will be prescribing the volume and dosage. It’s important to have a functioning system so that there are not additional problems and that the patient receives effective treatment. Linear accelerator maintenance is also a part of the process to keep your LINAC systems working well. If the technician finds something wrong with the system, they will advise of fixing it or replacement.

Patient safety is also of paramount important. The radiation treatment plan is double-checked, with several steps and quality-assured procedures so that the treatment is delivered exactly. Following all these steps, the machine should not deliver a higher dosage than prescribed.

Today’s modern linear accelerators also have an internal checking system that keeps the machine from being turned on unless all the prescribed requirements have been fulfilled. If for some reason you are initiating treatment with the patient, but the machine refusing to turn on, it’s may be time for servicing LINAC systems or replacement.

Ensuring Specific Parts Like Beam Position

During treatment, the radiation therapist will be continuing to observe the patient with a closed-circuit television monitor. There is also a microphone in the treatment room so the patient can speak to the radiation therapist if required. Just some of the items that are checked during this process include the port films or x-ray that are taken with the treatment beam, and the cone beam CT. This ensures that the beam position doesn’t change from the original plan. It’s important for servicing linear accelerators to ensure that these safeties stay in place. If they fail, it could be time for a replacement.

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.