Posted on September 21, 2018 by admin

General Radiotherapy Machines

The most common machine used to distribute external beam radiotherapy treatment is known as a linear accelerator or LINAC for short. LINAC systems generate high energy x-rays that are carefully aimed at the cancerous tumors. This process is done with much care given to direct the rays in a manner that does as little harm as possible to the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. Linear accelerators are used to treat cancerous tumors on all areas of the body.

Some LINAC systems that are more advanced have the capability to deliver radiation on or near the surface of the skin. In this type of treatment electrons are used in replacement of high energy x-rays.

Newer linear accelerators have the ability to deliver radiation using Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy, IMRT. These systems use multi-leaf collimators adjust the shape of the radiation beam to match the shape of the tumor. Without these adjustments LINAC systems would only be able to shoot radiation beams in the shape of a square or rectangle.

Radiographers all have different methods that they use to make sure the radiation treatment is targeting the exact location of the cancerous tumor. In its most fundamental form radiation is just a plain x-ray. Most linear accelerators work through digital imaging where the bottom arm of the machine takes an EPI, electronic portal image, or PI, portal image.

The image is compared by radiographers, to images that were generated during the planning process of your treatment as a type of checks and balances before treatment is delivered. The quantity of images that are taken to compare between depends on the departments protocol for imaging. Different types of radiotherapy treatment machines have an On-Board Imager, OBI, that is comprised of a Kv x-ray and detector. Higher quality images are obtained as a verification which allows for another radiotherapy technique known as Image Guided Radiotherapy, IGRT. With IGRT the accuracy of treatment is improved as daily changes are accounted for such as changes in organ location which can in turn reduce unpleasant side effects.

Electrons are generated and speed up to almost as close to the speed of light using electrical fields. The energy continues to increase until it collides with its intended target and then releases the photon energy. These photons enter the patient in an attempt to break down the DNA cells in the cancerous tumor. Healthy cells are most often able to mend themselves where as the cancerous tumors don’t and eventually die.

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment. Radparts provides high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment. More information can be found at https://www.radparts.com/.

Posted on August 23, 2018 by admin

Preventive Maintenance Increases the Lifespan of LINAC Systems

LINAC systems are just one of the methods that facilities use to administer radiotherapy to patients with cancer. The high cost of this technology necessitates that preventive maintenance be routinely undertaken to extend the life span of linear accelerator parts and other radiation oncology equipment. Linear accelerator parts should be serviced to ensure high quality service delivery to patients. This will go a long way in helping cancer patients to access quality treatment.

The main parts of LINAC systems consist of linear accelerator wave guide and the beam defining system. Other parts include: handle control, couch with controls, touch guard and wall panel to hide stand. Being that it is electrical equipment and it’s in continuous use, the systems will breakdown if not cared for properly which will lead to system breakdown. Therefore, preventive maintenance should be regularly done to ensure that the system works effectively and efficiently. A complex system such as linear accelerators and ct scanners depends on electrical connections, once there is poor connection the machine will malfunction. All parts work in cohesion and if one of them is faulty it will affect other parts.

Linear accelerator parts are expensive and the cost of purchasing a new one is prohibitive. Proper preventive maintenance should be carried out from time to time. Most LINAC systems use water cooling because a constant temperature need to be maintained to ensure harmonious operation. However, there is advanced air-cooled chillers for LINAC cooling. This cooling system is expensive but once it is replaced the system works as if it is a new one.

LINAC parts can be procured from the original equipment manufacturer or through local dealers. There are many advantages to buying parts through companies that offer several parts (and services) instead of a more expensive OEM dealer. Often these companies offer less expensive, refurbished options and OEM parts with warranties. If the parts should malfunction within the period of coverage of warranty, they can help. However, one important decision one must make is that whether one should buy refurbished parts or new OEM parts. Refurbished parts are suitable for repairs and maintenance and the cost is lower than buying new ones. This decision is often mostly decided because of your budget however, just know that refurbished parts are just as reliable and as effective so either way you are getting quality parts.

A lot of factors need to be considered when servicing or maintaining LINAC system. One of such considerations is the response time of maintenance company versus original equipment manufacturer. The response time of maintenance companies tend to be quicker than that of the original manufacturer. Therefore, procuring the service of maintenance company will shorten the downtime of the medical equipment. Associated with this is the high level of expertise of engineers working with servicing and maintenance companies.

In most cases, these engineers were trained by original equipment manufacturers hence, the quality of service delivery. Another advantage of servicing and maintenance of linear accelerator parts is that servicing companies have favorable and flexible contract agreement, and this ensure that servicing of equipment is done comprehensively with minimal costs. This contract agreement includes periodical preventive maintenance without extra costs. Routine service and maintenance of LINAC parts are necessary for optimal functioning of the system and it greatly reduces the amount of downtime of the equipment and elongate its lifespan.

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.

Posted on August 10, 2018 by admin

Finding Parts and Services for Medical Equipment Repair

Healthcare businesses will often find that while their oncology equipment is in excellent shape, there comes a time when something will breakdown or break all together. When that happens, there is usually a ruckus, because then someone needs to find out who sells parts or services their linear accelerator or other oncology equipment. While this may seem easy, it is not as easy as it appears, especially because the company that is hired must excel in the work that they do and the oncology equipment parts that they provide.

There are numerous linear accelerator parts and oncology equipment parts that are needed when things go wrong, and Radparts has more than sixty-five thousand parts in our warehouse. That means that whatever you and your patients need, we have it in stock and ready to use.

Whether your linear accelerator needs a new MLC motor, console keyboard, or a new pump, you will not need to spend days waiting for a replacement. Instead of shuffling patients around, and trying to fulfill their needs, you can have your oncology equipment repaired quickly and be ready for your next patient right away.

Knowing where to find parts for your oncology equipment and knowing who can service them all is key to keeping your patients safe and healthy during their treatments. You never want to take a risk and use a linear accelerator or any other oncology equipment that has a broken or missing part, as that can put your patients in danger.

Instead, you will want to inspect your linear accelerator and other oncology equipment every day and have routine maintenance and outside inspections completed too. The sooner you notice an issue, the easier it will be to have everything fixed and up and running again. After all, no oncology unit will be able to function properly without this equipment and patients can suffer significantly from a broken-down machine as well.

Whether you have a brand-new linear accelerator or a completely refurbished one, you will want to have someone on hand for service and parts right away. While you may hope that you do not need their services for a long time, you will quickly find that things do not always work out the way that you plan. Therefore, a little pro-action will go a long way when the inevitable does happen and you need linear accelerator parts or other oncology equipment parts and services.

Posted on July 23, 2018 by admin

Proper Maintenance Keeps Medical Systems Running Smoothly

The manufacturer of all medical equipment routinely establishes a regular maintenance schedule that customers need to be able to accomplish in order to ensure that their system is running properly. These maintenance requirements ensure tests are run to ensure that certain linear accelerator parts are all functioning well. The same is true for oncology equipment parts.

Importance of doing regular proper maintenance

When the equipment you are operating is designed for diagnosing a wide range of serious injuries, illnesses, and diseases it is extremely important that they are working optimally at all times. To be sure that all of your machines are properly maintained you should read all of the documentation that comes with each machine and pays close attention to any section that lists regular or scheduled maintenance.

8 Steps Involved in Quality Preventative Maintenance Plans on Medical Equipment

#1 Get the key people in your organization on board with the plan

– In order for any maintenance plan to work you need to be sure that you have all of your people on board with your plan.

#2 Discuss your goals for the plan –

Be sure to discuss all of your goals for the program with everyone to be sure everyone understands them.

#3 Do an initial inventory of all the equipment needing to be maintained –

You should a complete inventory of all of the equipment that will be part of your plan.

#4 Make decisions on the plan you wanting to follow –

Make final decisions on how the plan will be carried out.

#5 Read through all of the equipment manuals –

It is important to know as much about the machinery as you possibly can before you get started.

#6 Schedule long-term maintenance plan –

Set up a long-term maintenance plan that covers all of the vital systems of the equipment.

#7 Schedule short-term maintenance plan –

Set up a short-term plan that covers a more basic look over of the system.

#8 Train your people –

Before you set your plans in motion you want to be sure that all of your people are all on the same page and ready to carry out the mission.

For some medical facilities this type of maintenance on each piece of equipment requires a special department within the organization. For others it is more cost effective to outsource medical equipment maintenance and repairs to a company that specializes in the repair of medical equipment and parts needed for complex repairs on large scaled equipment such as linear accelerators, CT scanners, and a variety of radiation oncology equipment.

Posted on July 9, 2018 by admin

When Is It Time to Replace Your LINAC System Instead of Repairing It?

It is a known fact that linear accelerators, LINAC systems are expensive. Not only is the piece of equipment on a whole costly but also buying the replacement parts for linear accelerators can be quite costly, especially if it is a rush order. Hence, regular maintenance and care must be ensured to enhance its lifespan.

The importance of a LINAC system for a healthcare facility provider that offers cancer treatment is known to one and all. This intelligent system is designed to treat cancerous cells and kill them as part of cancer treatment. Therefore, it is considered to be a vital aspect in the treatment of different type of cancers.

Health experts know that the radiation that emits out of LINAC and other such devices also pose certain health hazards. However, linear accelerators boast of advanced safety measures; hence, these machines are programmed to provide only the required dosage that is required keeping in consideration the condition of the patient.

The problem with LINACS, like other systems, they can start to falter over time. Regular use can lead to damages in different parts of the machine, as a result, it may start showing deteriorate signs or stop working completely. A tough decision to make here is whether to get it repaired or if the equipment needs to be replaced.

The key is to know when to fix or when to replace. When equipment starts to falter on a regular basis, it may be time to look into finding a refurbished LINAC system. However, a system that is just experiencing normal wear and tear should be repaired using linear accelerator replacement parts.

You should consider the replacement option in case a part of the system has faltered or stopped working when it starts to occur on a regular basis. However, in a situation where a single part of the system stops, or something occurs that is normal it is a better option to repair the equipment. These large pieces of medical equipment are meant to withstand time so in many cases repair is the best options.

It really comes down to a number of factors such as downtime from the present equipment. If you are continually experiencing equipment failure that leads to cancelled treatments then you may have to analyze the cost between patient care, cancelled appointments, repair expenses, replacement parts, vs the cost of new equipment.

Posted on June 21, 2018 by admin

Service Contracts, Procuring Parts, and Timely Repairs

LINAC service contracts are used in hospitals and clinics on medical equipment and machines that are used in the process of treating cancer patients with radiation therapy. LINAC service contracts are agreements between companies that state services will be performed on medical equipment as necessary for a specific time.

Linear accelerators are available in many medical facilities to be used in the treatment of cancer. This machine allows radiation to conform to the size and shapes of tumors in patients with cancer. This treatment is targeted to the cancerous tumors without affecting healthy tissues that are nearby. Radiation oncology equipment is crucial to treatment. This leads most hospitals and facilities to require regular service and maintenance on medical equipment throughout the radiation department.

Many companies servicing LINAC machines have replacement parts in stock and quick access to regularly needed replacement parts; this ensures that important equipment is serviced and repaired in a timely manner to avoid lengthy downtime. The top five replacement parts kept on hand for linear accelerators maintenance and repair include:

Thyratron

It is used as a high power electrical switch and as a controlled rectifier. It is a gas filled tube and it has the capacity to maintain much greater currents than similar hard-vacuum tubes. IT works according to the phenomenon known Townsend in which the gas becomes ionized on electron multiplication. The failure of thyratron can shut the entire system.

Spare Pendant

Another of the important replacement parts of linear accelerators are spare pendants. They are used to control the motions on a linear accelerator machine. Control of linear set for a patient is limited if a spare pendant is not working.

Hydraulic Actuator

A hydraulic actuator is a cylindrical or fluid motor which converts hydraulic power into mechanical energy used to do the mechanical work in the LINAC machine. It can produce linear, rotary or oscillatory motions. It has the capability for high outputs of force and can produce high power per unit of weight and volume measurement.

MLC Motor

The multi- leaf collimator motors are known as MLC motor. These replacement parts of linear accelerators are used to accurately target the tumours in a radiation therapy by shaping the particle beams. They form a vital part in maintaining the capability of a LINAC machine to regulate the dosage of radiation for therapy sessions for different cancer patients. Hence, they are readily stocked to prevent the reduction of LINAC machine’s performance.

Long/Lat drive for patient table

One of the most common but important replacement parts of linear accelerators are the devices used for moving/ driving the patient table in and out of the machine along with side-to-side movement during the therapy sessions. If these devices are not working LINAC machines cannot be operated due to the inability to move patient in the desired position to do the radiation therapy.

Medical repair companies offering service contracts on radiation oncology equipment maintain and keep replacement parts of linear accelerators on hand will prevent you from technical issues created by the last-minute equipment failure. If you need further information about the replacement parts of linear accelerators and from where to procure them feel free to contact us.

Posted on May 11, 2018 by admin

Analyzing Linear Accelerators and Their Major Components

Linear accelerators are widely used for the treatment of cancer using high radio-frequency electromagnetic waves to speed up electrons to increased energy in a linear path inside of an accelerator waveguide. The frequency is medical LINACs is around 3 billion Hertz. As the most common form of external beam radiation treatment after a cancer diagnosis it is crucial for end users to have a basic understanding of what a LINAC is. As well as how the major components within LINAC systems work in conjunction with one another to produce radiation treatment.

Consider how a microwave oven works. This is in the most basic sense how a linear accelerator operates. A LINAC uses microwave technology to accelerate charged particles within a waveguide, tube like structure. These electrons then strike a metal target producing photons. It is these photons that are focused on the cancerous tumor. This radiation is delivered in the shape of the tumor to avoid contact with healthy tissues with the use of a variety of positioning devices. Now that we have a general understanding of the linear accelerator lets take a look into the major components that allow LINAC systems to operate as we know them to as of today.

Drive Stand:

A drive stand is a rather large cabinet, usually rectangular in shape, that secures the LINAC machine to the floor of the treatment room that houses the gantry.

Gantry:

The gantry is a moveable frame of the LINAC that is located in the drive stand and rotates on a horizontal axis. It helps direct the photon beams directly into the patient’s tumor. The gantry rotates 360 degrees on its axis. There are three components that are found within the gantry: the electron gun, accelerator structure, and treatment head.

Klystron:

The klystron is a major component that is located within the drive stand that delivers the microwave energy that is used to accelerate the electrons through amplified RF electromagnetic waves.

Accelerator Guide:

The energy from the klystron moves to the accelerator structure to speed up electrons.

Treatment Head:

The treatment head of a LINAC encases the components that shape the radiation to the specific size of the cancerous tumor. This can include: bending magnets, primary collimator, beam flattening filter, wedges, blocks, and compensators.

Cooling System:

The water cooling system in a linear accelerator is located within the drive stand and gantry to regulate the temperature in the space.

In our next installment we will look in greater detail to the treatment head of a LINAC system and the variety of components housed within that help shape radiation beams into the shape of different cancerous tumors.

Posted on March 8, 2018 by admin

Maintaining LINAC Systems with OEM Replacement Parts

Any electrical equipment that is repeatedly used will break down due to several reasons such as improper maintenance or lack thereof. They can also malfunction owing to poor electrical connections, overrunning the machine’s capability, having an untrained individual operate the equipment, including not replacing worn out parts when needed.

The Importance Of LINAC Parts

A linear accelerator (LINAC) is a very complex medical device that delivers high-energy X-rays to treat patients with cancer. Each component within a LINAC system is important, and all of them need to continually undergo rigorous, cleaning, testing, and maintenance to ensure optimal performance.

Linear accelerators Parts are very costly, and most LINAC owners often consider the option of buying a brand-new unit instead of paying for outrageously high repair parts costs, including maintenance and upkeep fees. Even though all LINAC parts have separate but vital functions, they are linked to each other and therefore, need to work in cohesion. Any breakdown of one of the parts can lead to a ripple effect that may render the whole system useless.

Cooling the LINAC Parts

The linear accelerator works by producing high energy particle beams, thus making the cooling system inclined to overheat. Depending on the model, most LINACs use a water cooling system that provides thermal stability to the system and allows the gantry and drive stand to operate at a constant temperature.

Today there are technologically advanced air-cooled chillers for LINAC cooling systems that are would probably cost more to replace a broken system. There are several independent oncology equipment refurbishing companies that have original equipment manufacturer (OEM) LINAC replacement parts, which even though they are also costly, however, once these LINAC parts are replaced, the system can continue to work like new.

The only concern when using such a complex and volatile piece of equipment is to maximize its uptime and minimizing on the overall total cost of ownership. Having said that, LINAC parts are available through the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) online or through a local dealer. The catch-22 is, do you go the economical way, such as scouring the local neighborhood depot to find the cheapest option that will work anyway, or do you stick with the original manufacturer’s LINAC parts?

Purchasing Replacement Parts

While the LINAC parts you find locally will probably serve you for a while until you can afford an OEM, but when it comes to quality, the materials will not be the same as the original. You can end up with a new replacement LINAC part that does not match up in the case of complicated parts and assemblies.

Maintaining LINAC systems with the original equipment manufacturer replacement parts also guarantee warranty coverage on each piece of equipment and in case the system fails, you can file a warranty claim provided the replacement parts that have been used match the manufacturer specifications. Using OEM LINAC parts also ensures the related components are compatible with the system, they are durable, and most importantly, they are reliable.

Posted on February 9, 2018 by admin

Fix or Forget It: Should you Repair That LINAC System or Buy New?

LINAC systems, the common name for linear accelerators, are very complicated and intricately built machines. They are formed by joining together several very small different parts, making it a highly fickle machine. Despite their extreme sensitivity, LINACs are very useful and powerful machines. They are a main component of many essential machines, such as the CT scanner.

Much like the CT scanner, linear accelerators can be used in several other machines related to the health industry. They are thus an integral part in fighting cancer with radiation therapy, while also being used in a large amount of research. However, because of their unbalanced structure, they are highly prone to many mechanical faults. Here is a look at the faults they may face and dealing with them.

Problems LINAC Systems Face

Used to hurl very small radiation particles at very high speeds at designated targets, linear accelerators are built by joining numerous small parts. Each part has its own function in the grand scheme of things and is often 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.

Everyone has heard about radiation equipment and how much intricate and complex it is. LINACs are a major component in radiation equipment. Parts for repairing radiation equipment are always very expensive, and this makes repairing LINACs a huge financial hassle, while also being exhausting. 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.

Fix it or forget it?

Often the parts for repairing linear accelerators (LINAC) are so expensive that they come just in short of the actual amount for buying a new LINAC. This makes many people wonder if it is better to just buy a new machine altogether since the other parts of the LINAC might break down soon enough and need to be replaced as well. Although there is no definite answer to this query since it has do a lot with the personal beliefs of people, it is always better to use something to the maximum. Therefore, in our opinion, fixing radiation machines and LINACs is the better option.

Refurbishing/ Repairing

Parts for repairing linear accelerators might be highly expensive, but that is if you buy new parts. Instead, you can opt for the sensible option, which is refurbishing or repairing the broken parts. 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.

Posted on May 22, 2017 by admin

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.

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.

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Tag: Replacement Parts for Linear Accelerators