Posted on April 18, 2018 by admin

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.

Posted on April 5, 2018 by admin

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.

Posted on March 27, 2018 by admin

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?

Posted on March 26, 2018 by admin

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.

Posted on February 21, 2018 by admin

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.

Posted on February 7, 2018 by admin

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.

Posted on January 24, 2018 by admin

Purchasing Quality Medical Equipment

A linear accelerator, LINAC, is a device that accelerates charged particles along a straight linear path of metal tubes at periodic intervals through a process known as electrostatic acceleration. This medical device is used by a radiation oncologist who in addition to consulting with patients and planning treatment sessions, also harness the therapeutic properties of radiation to treat or/and cure cancer using customized high energy x-rays to destroy cancer cells without destroying the rest of the surrounding healthy tissue.

Proper Care Of Your Equipment

Technological advancements have gradually made it easy and painless in curing patients of cancer through radiation that is delivered using a linear accelerator. This is why regular preventive maintenance, quality assurance inspections, installation, testing, calibration, troubleshooting, repair and general maintenance of a LINAC is very important to ensure that the radiation concentration is even across the beam and that the device is in good working order at all times.

It takes time and extensive research, a healthy budget, planning, an understanding of your clinical goals and a commitment to quality care when planning to buy a linear accelerator that will provide patients with quality, timely and uninterrupted treatment options. Additional LINAC system costs and services will also include the following:

Warranty, service, and maintenance
24/7 repair solutions tailored to your equipment needs
Redundant engineering solutions when the main engineer is not available
Around the clock rapid response computer-aided dispatching system
Machine uptime guarantee that ensures that there are no downtimes
On-demand parts and fast replacement of defective components for linear accelerators
Proper equipment removal and disposal
Relocation services of an existing linear accelerator
LINAC system costs will also include a keen project planning and logistics support
Power conditioners and patient positioning

Variation In Costs

There are a variety of linear accelerator systems to choose from and in addition to being budget conscious and selecting the right machine, LINAC system costs will also largely depend on the upgrades and features of each system, country of installation, adequate site planning, timeline, pre and post-installation equipment support.

A pre-owned linear accelerator such as a Basic Varian 600CD/6EX can be purchased for around $175,000 to $300,000. However, if you want a LINAC with newer systems such as the Varian TrueBeam, Elekta Versa HD, or the Cyberknife VSI and M6 prepare a healthy budget of around $750,000 to $1.5M. When you want to get the most from your existing equipment is also important to bear in mind other LINAC system costs for its accessories such as positioning lasers, treatment couch upgrades, water chillers, power conditioners, to mention a few.

Additional LINAC Services That Are Offered

There are also recognized professionals that offer LINAC services such as equipment assessments and appraisals for a fee to oncologists who are either looking to expand or close down their clinics, who want to secure funding from lenders, those that need to consolidate their debts, for insurance purposes, or simply to sell their equipment. These are just a few of the LINAC system costs that those in radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging line of work should consider.

Posted on January 17, 2018 by admin

Everything You Need To Know About Cancer Treatment Using LINAC Systems

Whether you’re a cancer patient or a physician or manager of a medical clinic or hospital, you can benefit from knowing more about LINAC systems and LINAC services. LINAC system costs may be right for your clinic or hospital purchasing a machine for patient treatment.

What Is A LINAC?

A LINAC is basically a cancer treatment radiology machine. The patient lies down on a platform where their pertinent body part is displayed under a bright light at the top. The system is turned on and provides radiology to that specific region in the body suffering from cancerous tumors. Radiology is often a much gentler and safer form of treatment than chemotherapy. LINAC services are much quicker and enable the patient to return to their daily lives quickly, rather than requiring all day spent at the clinic.

LINAC stands for “linear accelerator”. If you’ve been evaluating LINAC system costs for your clinic, you’ll want to learn more about how it can benefit your cancer patients. LINAC provides high energy x-rays and electrons that can actually conform to a specific tumor’s shape. Its purpose is to destroy cancerous cells on a specific part of the body. It does not touch or affect healthy and normal cells or tissue. This treatment is done by an external beam of radiation.

How It Works

LINAC services can treat a wide variety of tumors on all parts of the body through a variety of usual cancer treatment techniques. The equipment runs with special microwave technology. This is similar tech that’s used for radar. The microwaves will accelerate electrons in a accelerator which is called a wave guide. The electrons will collide with a heavy metal that creates high-energy x-rays. But instead of being used to record onto a film, they are targeting a patient’s cancer cells. The x-rays are directed straight to a tumor.

LINAC services have additional benefits. This machine has many built-in safety features that only allow it to deliver a specific dose and never more. LINAC services are run by a qualified medical physician. At regular intervals during patient treatment they will ensure that it’s working smoothly and routinely check it.

Patients are evaluated for LINAC services by visiting their radiation oncologist first. The oncologist will then meet with the radiation dosimetrist and the medical physicist to create a unique treatment plan that fits that patient. Next, your own medical doctor will go over this treatment plan and share it with you. Finally, quality assurance procedures will be created to ensure that you receive the exact treatment both effectively and in a timely manner.

Safe and Effective Benefits

LINAC services are safe for oncologists and radiologists to operate, and to be used on patients. The equipment only emits radiation when it has been turned on. There is little risk of accidental exposure. The benefits are huge when gauging LINAC system costs for your clinic or hospital. This cancer treatment has been proven to be both effective and safe for the cancer patient, and is worth considering for your medical or health location.

Posted on January 11, 2018January 11, 2018 by admin

All you need to know about LINAC System

What is a LINAC System?

A LINAC system delivers high intensity radiations in the body of patients who suffer from cancer for their treatment. Radiation enters the patient’s body in a precise manner to treat deep-seated tumors. The reason this form of treatment has become popular is because it lessens the overall treatment duration and can more easily pin-point the exact tumor without ruining the surrounding healthy tissue.

LINAC devices, otherwise known as linear accelerators, work by using microwave technology. High energy x-rays are produced by this device by accelerating electrons. When these x-rays exit the machine, they take the shape of the tumor in the patient’s body. A beam is used to direct these x-rays to the tumor. It comes out of gantry; a part of the accelerator.

Factors to Consider for Buying this Machine

If you want to buy such a machine for your hospital, there are certain factors that you need to consider taking the final decision. The topmost factor you need to consider is LINAC system costs. In the recent

Posted on January 3, 2018 by admin

Servicing LINAC Systems

Cancer is one of the most awful diseases in the world. It is a disease that destroys millions of lives every year throughout the world. Experts in medical science are making a great effort from a long time to find appropriate treatment solution for this disease. Thanks to modern technologies and the recent treatments, it is now possible to find success in combating advanced stages of cancer. Linear Accelerator (LINAC) Systems are gaining popularity as radiology has shown some positive results for the treatment of cancer.

Keeping Equipment Maintained

If you are providing cancer treatment services at your clinic it is very important to keep your LINAC system in working condition all the time so that your patients can receive the right treatment at your facility. This is one of the many reasons medical facilities are encouraged to hire service engineers from reputable sources when maintaining and fixing radiation oncology equipment within your facility.

LINAC machines are made of a variety of components and each one of them has a unique functionality. It is important to maintain them to ensure high performance for all tests. When any of these parts fails to operate, they force the entire machine to stop working. Then you may have to spend more on major repair and replacements. Also, such failures cause long downtime and it may affect the reputation of your facility. In order to stay safe from loss of revenue, reputation, and more it is important to call for a LINAC repair/service team from time to time to ensure routine checkups of your machinery so that it can stay tuned to good health.

Here are few tips for choosing right service company for your LINAC systems:

Check available solutions:

In order to ensure that your LINAC system stays in safe hands, look for companies with a long-lasting reputation within the medical service industry. It is important to check their service policy and ensure their 24/7 availability if equipment needs immediate repairs above and beyond routine maintenance. It is crucial to employ trained professionals with years of experience in this field. Ask for recommendations on servicing from sellers of LINAC Systems and other radiation therapy machines.

Go through their websites:

As soon as you have prepared the list of best companies, it is time to visit their official websites and look at how long they have been in this business, their reputation, machines that they are certified to service, and more. The company’s websites will provide you details about their experience, qualifications, and quality of work. This information is essential to narrow down your selection. You can also communicate with them via website based chat support, phone, or email to ask questions and get to know more about the quality of service they offer.

Check reviews:

The next important task is to check what other people around the world say about them. You should check customer reviews about your shortlisted companies to know if people are satisfied with their services or not. If you find more negative reviews about the company, it is good to look for other option for LINAC services.

Don’t compromise quality for the price:

Quality vs Cheap Price

While selecting the right LINAC system repair service provider, it is good to look for a quality service provider over instead of price. It is not good to take a risk with the cheap repair services; the best idea is to look for experienced and professional service providers.

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