The Average Life Space of Linear Accelerator Parts

As linear accelerators age errors can creep in, but how long is the average lifespan of a medical linear accelerator given that the machines cost of millions of dollars? While it’s reasonable to expect a good 5 to 10 years of use out of a linear, accelerator maintenance also takes its toll on expenses. Most institutions can expect a single linac (Linear Accelerator) machine to cost somewhere in the range of 300,000 dollars every 2 to 3 years.

Facilities can often squeeze more use out of a machine and ensure errors are resolved by keeping the software up to date and replacing or upgrading linear accelerator parts when needed.

It is essential to choose a reputable company to replace your linac’s aging parts as the wrong equipment can end up harming the machine instead of improving it. Most companies who sell linear accelerators and parts will have service contracts available that offer varying levels of support.

Depending on the size of the facility they may be required to choose between keeping the software up to date, operator manuals, or having staff and physicists trained in the use of the accelerator.

You can reasonably expect a for-profit facility to experience some pressure when using this expensive piece of medical equipment. After all, they will need to treat enough patients over time to pay for it.

One of the biggest concerns for facilities using a linac machine is one of liability for injuries to patients. As a litigious society always goes after the institution which gives the best chance of a payout the facility is usually the one bearing the brunt of the lawsuits.

Their expensive insurance creates the illusion that they have large sums of money available for payouts, and this is why it is in the facilities best interests to reduce errors and improve patient confidence. The best way to do this is to ensure the linac gets serviced regularly, software is kept up to date, and all staff is adequately trained.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

Radiation Oncology Equipment

A variety of radiation oncology equipment tools are used to provide radiation therapy.  In radiation therapy high-energy radiation is transmitted with the goal of shrinking tumours thus killing the cancerous cells.  There are a number of different types of radiation used to kill cancerous tumour cells including x-ray, gamma ray, and other charged particles.  Radiation is emitted from a machine, such as a linear accelerator, that is used on the outside of the body.  Occasionally doctors will recommend placing radioactive material directly on the part of the body where the cancer cells are developing.

A number of manufacturers provide radiology equipment as well as a number of independent medical equipment specialists.  Many times facilities looking to maximize their budget will look into refurbished machines.  There are a number of machines that play a role in delivering radiation to patients including: linear accelerators (LINACS), CT scanners, HDR systems, PET CT scanners, MRI systems, conventional simulators, treatment planning systems, and more.

A linear accelerator is a piece of radiation oncology equipment that is designed to specifically deliver high energy x-rays, charged electrons, that conform to the shape of the tumour and destroy the cancerous cells without damaging nearby healthy tissue.  LINACS were built with several security measures in place to monitor and control the dose of radiation that is emitted during each session.

A measurement is prepared ahead of time to calculate the correct dosage of radiation that each particular patient needs.  Having this prepared ahead of time helps to ensure that a dose that is higher than what has been prescribed is not given to the patient.  More radiation then is absolutely necessary will not increase the chances of the cancer shrinking but will increase the likelihood that damage is done to the surrounding healthy tissue.

Radiation oncologists operate linear accelerators (LINAC) to deliver radiation therapy to patients as their treatment plan states.  A detailed treatment plan is prepared by a team of physicians including the radiation oncologist, radiation dosimetrist, and medical physicist.  This plan is then reviewed in depth by your personal physician to ensure that the information goes through a number of cross checks before starting the plan.

Cancer is not a disease of convenience.  Thankfully developments within the medical industry have allowed for technology to adapt to ever changing treatment plans.  Large scaled equipment such as linear accelerators are designed with a number of options that allow it function on a sliding scale. Treatment can be directed at the smallest, most delicate parts of the body to annihilate cancerous cells while leaving the healthy tissue surrounding the area unaffected.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

Different Applications of Linear Accelerators within the Medical Industry

Many of us have never heard of a linear accelerator.  Unless you are in the medical field or involved in radiation treatment you might not realize how important this one piece of medical equipment is to the health care industry.   No time is a good time for medical facilities to have a piece of equipment down but especially so in the case of radiation oncology equipment like linear accelerators.

This is one of the main reasons that replacement parts for linear accelerators and other radiation oncology equipment are in high demand.   When a piece of radiation equipment breaks down it is crucial to the treatment of patients that it is repaired quickly to avoid downtime in patient care.  In this installment we will look at the applications of linear accelerators in medical facilities.

  • Radiation Treatment For Cancerous Tumors

Linear accelerators are mainly known as the machine that is used in radiation therapy to target cancerous tumors.  Linear accelerators accelerate electrons.  When they are speeding up, that is when they would be getting the heavy metal target. This is where the x-ray would be generated. Once that radiation is generated, then only it is targeted towards the tumor. This is one of the first methods used in chemotherapy that targets and destroys cancerous tumors.  Without the actual acceleration of the electrons, the radiation which is required for the radiation therapy would not be produced at all. That is why the linear acceleration is always required when it comes to the radiation therapy.

  • LINAC Treatment

This treatment is similar to the laser technique which is used in a wide variety of cosmetic treatments. This ensures that the healthy cells and issues around the area where it is focused are not destroyed as well. This is the reason that this application is used in treatment.  The risk of destroying the healthy tissue is minimized because the radiation is focused in on the tumor.

  • MRI

Linear accelerators are also used in MRI tests. In this test, the scanning of the different body parts is conducted in order to find out whether there is any problem with these body parts. The electrons are accelerated in order to produce the right kind of effect.

These are just some of the applications linear accelerators can be used within the medical industry. We can appreciate why there is such high demand for replacement parts for linear accelerators and other types of radiotherapy equipment knowing how crucial on time treatment and regime is in treatment.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.

The Importance of Immediate Service When Radiation Equipment Fails

Repairing radiation equipment, such as linear accelerators and CT scanners, can be a very demanding a job.  Most medical facilities choose to work with a company that is on call to service medical equipment verse hiring a full-time, in house technician.  Working with a company that services medical equipment ensures that if at any point equipment fails a technician is on call and can immediately begin working to get your equipment back up and running.  Radiation equipment is vital to the treatment of so many patients on a daily basis that it is imperative to have it serviced immediately.

Not only is it important to have a company that services medical equipment available at a moment’s notice it is crucial that they have access the parts that will be needed to fix any and all issues.  Replacement parts for linear accelerators and other radiation equipment can be difficult to find without the right resources.  Linear accelerators can break so being able to find accessible replacement parts is needed.  Even better is finding high-quality replacement parts for Linac systems that are readily available.

Few companies are dedicated to stocking the 650,000 different parts that could need to be replaced in radiation equipment.  Establishing a relationship with a company that offers replacement parts for radiation oncology equipment is important when you are a technician that is in charge of performing radiation services or a repairing it.

Radiation equipment, CT scanners, and linear accelerators offer patient magnificent results.  The idea is that they are in proper, working order a hundred percent of the time.  Medical equipment that breaks down during treatment can be an incredibly challenging experience.  This is why it is important for medical facilities to work with a team that provides regular maintenance, immediate service, and has easy access to linear accelerator parts.  This will help to eliminate the amount of down time your facility experiences.

Companies in the industry of selling parts to repair radiation oncology equipment know the importance of delivering the most innovative solutions.  In an industry that immediate results are needed it is important that medical equipment service and repair companies are ready to jump at a moment’s notice when needed.  Results are needed in little to no time.

In the medical industry there are constant challenges to overcome, and in the end, there is a certain appreciation that comes along with getting immediate results to your equipment failures.  What matters most is that you are able to get in touch with a professional to fix your equipment as fast as you can.

Learn more about Radparts and the variety of services and parts they offer to repair medical equipment including: linear accelerators parts, CT scanners parts, linac parts, and radiation oncology equipment at www.radparts.com.  To contact one of our medical equipment repair specialists for parts or service call toll free 877.704.3838 for 24/7/365 support.