Posted on August 22, 2018 by admin

The Ins and Outs of Radiation Oncology Equipment

Radiation oncology occurs through the use of ionizing radiation to treat/cure disease such as cancer. It can also be used to assist in the relief of symptoms when a cure or treatment is no longer a viable option. Most often radiation is most frequently associated with cancer however can be used in treated in a limited range of benign or non-malignant illnesses. Some of the equipment that is used within the radiation oncology department is linear accelerators, simulators, and CT scanners.

Linear Accelerator

Linear accelerator, LINAC systems are sophisticated pieces of medical equipment that are used to distribute radiation therapy treatments for patients with cancer. Linear accelerators can be used to treat most types of cancers. During radiation therapy, treatment is provided by directing the beams on to the cancerous tumor. Targeting the cancer and encompassing area to annihilate the main cancerous tumor and close cancer cells without causing undo harm to the healthy tissue around it.

Patients are placed on a treatment couch that moves, with the help of specifically planned out lasers and X-ray imaging panels, are manipulated to ensure that the beam is in the right position for treatment. The couch can be maneuvered in many planes with sub-millimeter accuracy. This occurs in sync with the LINAC gantry allows the radiation to be directed from any angle to reach the cancerous tumor from any angle.

Simulators and CT-simulators

A simulator is an advanced diagnostic x-ray unit that enables the localization of the tumor site. The radiation beams are employed in the treatment process. In addition, the simulator provides a component of the permanent record (verification) of the treatment plan. It is named as so because it has been fabricated to mimic several of the treatment positions that are possible within radiation treatment units.

Servicing and Repairing Linear Accelerator

Problems LINAC System Face

Linear accelerators are built by joining numerous small parts and sending very small radiation particles at very high speeds towards designated targets. Each part has its own function and in the grand scheme of things isnt linked to adjacent parts. This makes the LINAC a very fickle machine since any faulty part can lead to the entire machine going out of order. Hence, the LINAC is an unsustainable machine that can require very intricate maintenance. Therefore, the debate about whether to install spare parts or to change the machine entirely holds a lot of weight and is something that many professionals in the health industry constantly talk about.

Repairing LINAC system

Medical equipment parts used for repairing linear accelerators can be quite expensive especially if you choose to buy new OEM parts over refurbished. Instead of spending your valuable budget on new parts to repair equipment, there are a number of firms in the market that offer refurbishing of parts for radiation equipment. The refurbished parts are often returned very quickly, and this efficient process saves you half the money you would spend on a new part. Therefore, it is best to find a good servicing company for your LINACs to extend the lifespan of the equipment.

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 August 15, 2018 by admin

Traits of a Superior Medical Equipment Service Company

There is substantial growth within the medical care industry. The population of aging citizens is growing as well. As this is occurring it is our responsibility as professionals to make sure we are keeping up with technological advancements which often means more complicated medical equipment and devices throughout a variety of care centers including radiation oncology departments. It takes a unique person, with the right skill set, and work ethic to ensure facilities are successful in keeping linear accelerators, CT scanners, and other oncology equipment up and running to ensure on-time treatment.

Superior medical equipment repair providers all seem to posses’ similar qualities which allow facilities to maintain a high level of care without downtime due to equipment failure. Some of these traits include:

Lovers of Technology: Repairing large scaled medical equipment is not quite like anything else. Linear accelerators and other machines found in the radiation oncology department are complex and involve very complicated and detailed computer software and mechanical components. Most often companies that perform these detailed tasks use computers to troubleshoot issues with equipment as well as being capable of performing hands on tasks that involve the nitty gritty nuts and bolts.

Detailed Oriented: Medical equipment performs jobs that humans are not capable of performing including pin pointing laser treatments for cancerous tumors while keeping healthy tissues safe. When these machines breakdown the entire facility often comes to a stand-still. This means it is crucial that a complete diagnosis and repair is completed the first time. Good medical equipment technicians provide repair solutions efficiently and can identify even the tiniest thing is out of whack on medical equipment throughout the radiation department.

Solvers of Problems: Imagine having to solve a problem that has never been solved before. These are the mysteries that medical equipment repair specialists deal with daily. The problems and repairs that need to be done are usually a first of there kind and need to be able to be diagnosed properly and remedied quickly as not to affect downtime and patient care.

Reliable: When working within the medical industry in any capacity it is crucial that you are reliable, on-time, and ready to get down to business when needed. Other people’s lives are dependent on you being able to complete yours. Even if you are not in the direct line of patient care your job is of critical importance.

Posted on August 9, 2018 by admin

Upgrading Medical Equipment

Medical facilities all have one thing in common and that is the need for progressive, radical technology and equipment. To supply patients with outstanding medical service it is crucial that facilities exceed their needs by bringing in additional, updated medical equipment and adding services to meet the growing demands of a fluctuating marketplace in a constantly changing industry.

Leasing and Financing Medical Equipment

To keep existing patients happy and draw new patients in there needs to be products and services to attract them to your facility. Keeping your facility up to date with the latest medical equipment will allow patients the assurance they need. Below you will find several reasons it is vital medical facilities keep up with the requirements of their patients, existing and future.

To show patients you care about their ongoing health care needs and comfort level it is vital that your facility keep medical equipment and its software up to date. By obtaining current diagnostic equipment it allows patients to know that your facility has the means to solve their problems. New patients, especially within the younger generation will be judging your practice on the services and technology you can offer them. When you can provide care for your patients in house rather than referring them to other medical facilities it helps to grow your practice, maximize profits, and improves your reputation.

We all know that acquiring new, used, or even refurbished medical equipment, such as linear accelerators and CT scanners is costly. One option to make it more affordable is to finance equipment through leasing. Obtaining medical equipment that is paid for upfront utilizes valuable cash assets and lines of credit. These funds are essential in day to day operations. Leasing is the best option for medical facilities because it offers:

Fixed rate financing
Less upfront capital
Decreased payment monthly
Tax benefits

The team at Acceletronics, an independent medical equipment service company, is dedicated to delivering the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.

Posted on July 25, 2018 by admin

A Few Reasons It May Be Time To Upgrade Your Linear Accelerator

When it comes to medical equipment a linear accelerator is considered the “workhorse” as it is used again and again, every day. Some facilities, with lower patient counts, can often still use a linear accelerator that can be decades old whereas larger facilities often replace their radiation oncology equipment regularly every few years. In the United States, linear accelerator equipment and other larger pieces of radiation equipment are upgraded every decade.

When you are ready for an upgrade depends on a number of things. A few indicators that it is time to upgrade your linear accelerator include:

You want to provide treatment to more clients, provide higher quality of care, and provide treatment for a wider variety of cases.

Newer technology can empower a facility to provide faster and more precise, or more integrated, treatment. An upgrade may allow a broader ability to take on any case. For example, an upgrade to offer SRS (Stereotactic Radio Surgery) to treat head and neck cases may be an option. Other common upgrades include:

Upgrading the MLC
Updating the portal imaging system
Adding VMAT capabilities
Enhancing the couch

The goal of your facility is to maintain a competitive edge.

Expanding your capabilities means referrals can also grow. Enhanced capabilities enable physicians to direct new types of treatment cases. Patients who had to be referred to another clinic may now come to your clinic.

Maintenance expenses are continual and keep adding up.

Many LINAC systems will be under an annual service contract, with preventive maintenance visits throughout the year to keep the machines working smoothly. However, older machines that have reached their “end-of-life” may no longer be supported and, in worst-case scenarios, some of the replacement parts may not be available at all.

Replacing the linear accelerator is not an option.

Extending the life of a machine with upgrades is less costly than purchasing a new machine. It also means less downtime as your old machine is removed and a new one installed, a process which can take as long as five weeks. No machine means no treatments, and you risk losing patients.

Any of these reasons may compel you to consider replacing your facility’s linear accelerator. If that’s the case, first consider adding upgrades. Upgrading your existing system can give you the power and capabilities you want, cost-effectively.

Posted on July 19, 2018 by admin

What to Look for When Purchasing a Refurbished Linear Accelerator

A brand-new linear accelerator can cost upwards of four million dollars, which is why many places will choose to purchase a refurbished one to meet their needs. There is nothing wrong with most refurbished linear accelerators, but as with most things, when you purchase used, you must use an abundance of caution.

Here is what you want to look for when purchasing a refurbished linear accelerator:

Software and Hardware

Each refurbished linear accelerator comes with software and hardware, and it helps if you are familiar with it all before you begin the purchasing process. You will not want to purchase a refurbished linear accelerator that does not meet your current needs due to the fact that it does not have the software or hardware components that you are looking for.

Know What Has Been Refurbished

There are many parts of linear accelerators that can be refurbished, and you will want to know if those items were mechanical, electrical, or cosmetic. While all three categories should be checked on the machines, to see if any repairs are needed and that everything is operational, it doesn’t mean that there is always something seriously wrong with them. Instead, the process can ensure that the linear accelerators are in excellent working order and lists exactly what items need to be repaired or replaced.

See if the Refurbished Linear Accelerator Received Routine Maintenance and Servicing

Records that show that a refurbished linear accelerator was carefully maintained and serviced when it was in use may not guarantee that it will work better than any other refurbished linear accelerator, but it does show that it was well taken care of. That means that there is a better chance that there will not be any surprise issues right after the purchase.

Accessories that are Included

Certain accessories can ensure that a refurbished linear accelerator works better than those that do not have specific accessories. A few of the accessories that you should look for include a water chiller, power conditioner, in-room monitoring system, and patient positioning lasers. If you can find a refurbished linear accelerator that includes these accessories, you can save yourself even more money.

Always Get an Inspection of the Refurbished Linear Accelerator Before Purchasing

Anyone that doesn’t want you to have a professional inspection done on the refurbished linear accelerator that they are selling you is trying to hide something major and that should be your first clue to walk away quickly. An inspection can show any inadequacies of the linear accelerator as well as any repairs that need to be made before it can be used.

You won’t need to worry about being scammed when purchasing a refurbished linear accelerator as long as you take your time and know what you are looking for as you are going through the purchase process. If you are unsure of certain things, talk to other professionals as you are going through the process for input and guidance.

Posted on July 11, 2018 by admin

Medical Equipment Disposal

Like any other industry after a period of time the equipment that is used will have to be replaced. Whether that is due to it being worn out, it went beyond its usable lifespan or more advanced model was acquired. Regardless of the reasoning, there will come a time that you will need to dispose of some of your medical equipment, this includes things like Linear Accelerators and even CT Scanners.

In order to preserve the responsibilities of the practice, you need to be sure that you are operating equipment that is running at optimum capability. This means that at some point even large medical equipment like a CT Scanner and Linear Accelerator will need to be repaired or replaced. In the event, a replacement is needed it is important that you plan ahead and take everything into consideration when working with an outside company.

6 Important things to consider when disposing of large medical equipment

Must be removed properly –

Depending on the area that your practice is located you will have to deal with what possibly different types of ordinances. This is especially true if the equipment has to do with any type of hazardous materials. You will need to ensure that you remove any associated

Limit damage to surrounding areas –

When it comes to removing and disposing of large pieces of medical equipment like Linear Accelerators and CT Scanner machines it is extremely important that the removal process you follow does not do any extensive amount of damage to the surrounding areas. This could lead to very expensive repair costs and possibly affect your practice adversely.

Plan for a very complex removal –

Due to the nature of the larger medical equipment you will need to partner with a disposal company that has the experience to deal with the complexity of such a removal process. Depending on the design of the building there could be substantial temporary changes may need to be done to facilitate removal.

Removal of possible hazardous waste –

Due to the nature of the equipment you will need to concern yourself with adhering to any and all regulations that deal with disturbing of potentially hazardous material. This is another good reason to partner with a well-experienced medical equipment removal and disposal company.

Base frame for large equipment must be removed –

Most larger pieces of medical equipment like the Linear Accelerator or CT Scanner have specially designed bases that could easily be built into the foundation of the building and removing them would require special consideration. It is important to remove any existing framework in order to make room for the new piece of equipment.

Plan for after hours to minimize interruption to office operation –

When it comes to removing/replacing large medical equipment you should always make your plans to do the work after hours as not to impact your practice. Most companies that offer this type of service are fully aware of the need to schedule this after normal business hours and will make arrangements.

Posted on July 5, 2018 by admin

Shrinking Cancerous Cells Using Linear Accelerator Technology

It is very unfortunate when you see your friend or family member get diagnosed with cancer. Watching them go through the pain and suffering, you wish that they wouldn’t have to go through that. You also pray for cancer to never touch you. It is the most painful thing a person can go through. Often when a person is to be treated for cancer, words like ‘chemotherapy’ and ‘radiation’ are thrown around.

What Is Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy treatment involves the use of drugs to control the growth of cancer cells. The drugs used in chemotherapy tend to vary. It depends on the age of the person and the type of cancer as well as the cancer stage. When doctors administer chemotherapy drugs, they keep a close eye on the patient. This is because the drugs can have side-effects and may react adversely. These side effects include loss of hair, formation of blood forming cells in the bone marrow, heart, lung or kidney damage, etc.

What Is Radiation Oncology

Also known as radiation therapy, radiation oncology is the use of high-energy waves/radiations to kill cancerous cells. Radiation oncologists, radiation therapists and radiation oncology medical physicists use up-to-date radiation oncology equipment to deliver radiation therapy without any side effects. They try to make it as painless as possible. However, radiation oncology when compared with chemotherapy is very less painful. Studies have shown that around 40% of cancer patients are treated with radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can be used alongside chemotherapy or on its own.

Radiation therapy is, as told, is very effective. With cancer being the leading cause of death around the world, investment in new radiation oncology equipment, methods and treatments has become more crucial than ever. Linear accelerator is one of the most common oncology medical equipment being used for radiation therapy.

What Is a Linear Accelerator

This radiation oncology equipment is the most effective equipment used to kill cancerous cells. It does no harm to the normal tissues. It uses high-beam X-Rays and specifically directs them to the point where cancer cells have accumulated. The treatment using linear accelerators is very painless and it is non-invasive. Linear accelerators also use a combination of IGRT and IMRT. IGRT makes use of imaging. This helps with making the therapy precise and increases the exactness of the therapy procedure. The IMRT uses a combination of high-quality hardware and software. IMRT is used to change the intensity of the radiation if it is used on other parts of the body where cancer cells may be growing.

What Is Special About a Linear Accelerator

This oncology medical equipment literally targets the DNA of the cancer cells. Once the DNA is killed, the cancer cells slowly die. Moreover, normally radiation therapy can damage normal cells too. Linear accelerator, because it uses a combination of IMRT and IGRT, make targeting the damaged cells more precise and perfect. The use of linear accelerators is also a good way to personalise your treatment accordingly. Linear accelerators can be used on any part of the body to treat cancer. It is very effective and accurate.

Posted on June 27, 2018 by admin

Preventative Maintenance Helps Ward Off Unplanned LINAC Repairs

LINAC’s is short for linear accelerator, which are used in radiation treatments for people with cancer. These machines should receive preventative maintenance so that they stay in working order for as long as possible. Any preventative maintenance that isn’t completed within a timely manner can create issues and cause unplanned equipment failure. Those LINAC repair services can cause long downtimes, which can wreak havoc on every patient’s treatment plan.

Preventative maintenance will not only keep LINAC machines in working order, it will also ensure that the machines are delivering proper treatments that are appropriate for each patient. Part of the preventative maintenance is performing safety checks, which may not always cause an unplanned LINAC repair, but they may cause additional preventative maintenance to be completed to recalibrate certain settings.

Certain forms of preventative maintenance are completed every day, while others may be completed weekly, monthly, or annually. Of course, whenever a person believes that the LINAC system is performing differently, or something seems wrong, preventative maintenance should be done to find the cause of the issue. Sometimes, a tweak here or there can save thousands of dollars in the future when it comes to expensive LINAC repair services.

During preventative maintenance, certain linear accelerator parts may be replaced around the time that they were known to wear out on other machines. By being proactive with these replacements, LINAC users will ensure that their machine will be in service when they are needed instead of being down for maintenance. It normally costs less to perform this type of linear accelerator repair before it is needed, because it can be scheduled in advance. That means that less money will be spent paying for the labor of the person doing the work.

However, if preventative maintenance is not completed, and a person does not know that a specific part should be replaced sooner than later, the cost could be quite a bit more when the machine stops working. The reason for that is because a person would need to be called in immediately, which can cost more after hours or on weekends. Plus, it can take longer to do the work, since other things could be wrong at the same time, which means that the LINAC machine can be out of order for a couple of days or longer.

Cancer patients rely on LINAC machines to safely deliver their treatments, so that they have an excellent chance of surviving. Downtime for these situations are unacceptable and unnecessary, especially when most issues can be spotted and resolved during scheduled preventative maintenance.

Posted on June 21, 2018 by admin

Using LINAC Systems In The Treatment Of Cancer

Cancer is a serious disease, irrespective of the type, where it is in the body, how large or far-gone the tumor is. It is more likely to treat any form of cancer that’s diagnosed early before it has had a chance to get bigger or spread uncontrollably. Unfortunately, most patients are privy to the fact they have a cancer diagnosis until last minute, through an emergency admission, which, consequently, lowers the chances of catching it early. Low awareness of cancer signs and symptoms can mean that people don’t seek prompt medical attention and some people also delay early screening out of sheer fear of what the doctor might find.

Early detection of cancer through education, to promote early diagnosis and screening greatly increases the chances for successful treatment. There are many types of cancer treatments. The one your doctor elects will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is. Radiation therapy, using radiation oncology systems is a type of cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells, shrink tumors, ease cancer symptoms and prevent it from returning, stop or slow its growth or ideally, ultimately cure it.

Using oncology medical equipment may shrink tumors to treat pain and other problems caused by the tumor, such as cancer-related pain that has spread to the bones, loss of bowel and bladder control as well as trouble breathing. Radiation oncology systems are used to treat various forms of cancers such as head and neck, breast, cervix, prostate, eye, as well as thyroid cancer. External beam radiation therapy using oncology medical equipment such as a linear accelerator is used to treat a specific part of the body and can be combined with other forms of cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, surgery or immunotherapy to improve the chances of a successful treatment.

There are limits as to the amount of radiation an area of your body can safely receive over the course of your treatment, your doctor will determine which combination will be best for you. While it’s ideal to have the tumor shrunk before considering other forms of treatment, it is important to know that using radiation oncology systems will kill or even slow down the growth of cancer cells, but it may also affect nearby healthy cells, and in some cases, damage to healthy cells may also cause side effects.

Posted on June 13, 2018June 13, 2018 by admin

Tips for Buying Refurbished Oncology Equipment

Purchasing refurbished oncology equipment can be an excellent option if you know what you are looking for and can have help picking out quality product. When you are upgrading LINAC systems, there are numerous things that you should keep in mind, but if you can find a refurbished linear accelerator, you can save quite a bit of money.

Here are tips for buying refurbished oncology equipment:

Consider Your Space

As you are upgrading LINAC systems, you will need to consider your room dimensions, the constraints of your building, your power supply, and your water supply. You will not want to purchase any refurbished oncology equipment that cannot fit within the space your office has as that will be a waste of your resources. Instead, have this information available and then only look at the refurbished oncology equipment that fits your requirements.

Create a Budget

Everyone has a certain amount of money that they have available to spend on upgrades, and you should not be any different. Once you determine how much money you are willing to spend, you will have a better idea of how you can go about upgrading LINAC systems.

Create a Timeline

The amount of time you plan on keeping the refurbished oncology equipment that you purchase will always factor in to the price. You should be willing to pay a little bit more for the equipment you are planning on keeping for five years and less for the equipment that you only want to keep for two years.

Find a Preferred Manufacturer

You may find that you prefer one or two manufacturers over all the others, and you will want to only look at refurbished oncology equipment from those manufacturers. This will ensure that you get a product that you can depend on and trust, plus you are more apt to know how to use the equipment from those manufacturers as they are more familiar to you.

Have a Professional Install

While upgrading LINAC systems, it is perfectly fine to purchase it refurbished, however, you should still have it professionally installed. This will ensure that everything is in working order the first time you go to use it, plus you can find any potential issues before they arise.

These tips will help as you are upgrading LINAC systems and purchasing refurbished oncology equipment as you will get the most product for the money that you spend. It may take some time to find the product that will work best for your needs, but your patience will pay off when you find the one that fits within your budget.