RapidArc Rotational Radiation Therapy

 

RapidArc Rotational Radiation Therapy combines the most current technologies to decrease treatment times and radiation exposure for the patient. The technologies used in this process are Intensity Modulated Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), On-Board Imaging (OBI), and Cone Beam CT Scanning (CBCT). 

Rapid Arc technology from Varian Medical Systems, a renowned leader in radiation research and development, has brought all of these technologies in their practice together to advance precision and targeted treatments to the next level. 

The RapidArc process emits radiation, usually in less than 90 seconds per fraction. IMRT Arc Therapy from RapidArc uses a single rotation of the linac gantry to execute a very targeted IMRT plan following IGRT and OBI targeting. This is considered a “volumetric arc” that is often labeled as VMAT (Volumetric Arc Therapy). It allows for a more effective, targeted, and faster treatment of prostate cancer radiation. Ultimately, the RapidArc treatment process is an evolved and more efficient treatment in its delivery, speed, and sophistication. 

To learn more about RapidArc therapy and its processes, read the full article here. 

Should I Replace or Upgrade My LINAC System?

Having a shiny LINAC system in your clinic entitles you to benefits and services other clinics lacking this technology do not. Such a system is imperative when dealing with minute cancer situations and can not only give the medical staff an edge but also give patients a guarantee of quality others cannot. That said, a proper LINAC system is, quite obviously, not a cheap system to not only implement initially but maintain over time. At one point a clinician or technician may decide the time has come to upgrade to what’s best out there, but such a decision is not so black and white. This article should briefly outline why so.

What Do You Have?

When making the decision to upgrade, you have to look at what you have already implemented. What you have may actually be satisfactory despite being old. LINAC systems themselves are as pricy as one may expect but are also modifiable with different parts that make up the whole. Linear accelerators can be classified as defined by their part status. Essentially, your linear accelerator can be classified from older and lacking upgrades, through newer but lacking and older and possessing upgrades, to newer and possessing upgrades. Where your system lies on the spectrum indicates whether or not making upgrades is worth the cost when considering the competency.

What is Your Budget?

Depending on the overall budget and success of your clinic you may find it smarter to simply upgrade certain parts on your older LINAC system. If money is no object you can naturally swap out your system – even if it’s new – for a newer, more modern and up-to-date model. Having an infinite source of funds is most likely not the case for most clinics, so you must take budget into effect and decide if your system is old enough to really warrant a true upgrade. Remember, upgrading certain parts of your system will always be cheaper than an outright replacement, and going with used upgrades is still a viable and more cost-effective option.

Do You Have Time?

When replacing a LINAC system completely, time is of great importance. Upgrading certain parts on a system can take hours and can be done overnight, but swapping out an entire system can take much, much longer. Are you able to survive with such an important machine out of the office for so long? If your system isn’t too old and has competent upgrades, then it can be hard to justify that absence. Any experienced clinician understands his or her own office enough to know whether or not that absence is detrimental to overall clinic success.

As an independent LINAC service company, Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and services for linear accelerators and CT scanners across all major brands and models, as well as new and refurbished LINAC systems for sale.  More information can be found online at https://www.acceletronics.com/.

Varian Radiotherapy Advancements

The VCA Pet CancerCare Centers chain just hit a milestone as 35 of its locations become the first to house Varian radiotherapy systems under a partnership between the chain and manufacturer. As claimed in this Today’s Veterinary Business article, VCA Animal Hospitals reported back in August that nearly 36 of the chain’s more than 930 locations would house the units and become branded as Pet CancerCare Centers. With this implementation comes new teams of board-certified oncology professionals to collaborate with a patient’s primary veterinarian. The goal of this partnership is to simply provide the nation with the largest network of veterinary-specific oncology centers that use the newest radiotherapy equipment with the hopes of leading the way in growth for the industry. The first several locations reside primarily in California with Indiana, Illinois, and Virginia also participating.

As an independent LINAC service company, Acceletronics is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and services for linear accelerators and CT scanners across all major brands and models, as well as new and refurbished LINAC systems for sale.  More information can be found online at https://www.acceletronics.com/.

Linear Accelerators Market to Grow to $3.9 Billion by 2024

A new study has been released indicating a massive growth in the market for the linear accelerators for radiation around the world. Forecasts predict growth in the market to $3.9 billion by 2024, which is up from $2.5 billion in 2019. This growth spans across several applications, such as hospitals and clinics to research institutes medical schools. Many large companies will see this growth including Elekta and Siemens as well as Varian Medical Systems and ACCURAY.

The objectives for this research are vast but one, in particular, is to focus on key global Linear Accelerators for Radiation manufacturers to define, describe and analyze the sales volume, value, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis and development plans in the next few years.

Whether or not these key manufacturers will be unchanged the same come 2024 remains to be seen.

Basic Principles Of LINAC Systems

Linear Accelerator Technology

Every piece of radiation oncology varies but the basic principle of the equipment is the same. The Linear Accelerator (LINAC) microwave technology, radiation, is similar to that of which is used in radar technology. It is designed in such a way that electrons move in a part of the accelerator called the "wave guide." It is the wave guide that allows these electrons to collide with a heavy metal target which now produces high-energy x-rays. Next, the energized x-rays take up a shape that fits the patient’s tumour as it flows out from the machine. The customized x-ray is directed to the patient who is lying down already on the moveable treatment couch where moulds and masks help to keep the patient in proper place that is most suitable for the lasers to reach the cancerous tumour. The beam is emitted through a gantry that can be rotated around the patient. By rotating the gantry and the treatment couch, the tumour could be target from any angle.

Maintenance of Radiation Oncology Equipment

For your radiation oncology equipment such as CT scanners and linear accelerators to work at optimum capacity it is advisable you use the machine carefully and also use it according to the manufacturers’ guidelines. Radiation oncology equipment needs constant check-up and maintenance. If the equipment is faulty, it can affect the force of the radiation that you feel and this can be dangerous to both the technician and the patient. The air-filter should be constantly cleaned and free from dust if the air-filter has holes. You will need the input of a radiology equipment technician who can inspect the error logs, provide much needed maintenance and repairs. You may occasional check for connections, test the image quality, clean the fans, grease bearings, and backup your system data but most maintenance is best left up to professional medical equipment technicians. In order to maintain your LINAC systems you may need to replace parts of the equipment to keep receiving effective therapy from your radiation oncology equipment. Replacements should occur before you feel your treatment is no longer at an optimum level have a service technician out to perform maintenance.

Here at Acceletronics is an independent service company dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance & service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brand and models. Find more information check out our website http://www.acceletronics.com or speak to a LINACS professional at 610.524.3300