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. 2018 May 29:7:6-10.
doi: 10.1016/j.tipsro.2018.05.001. eCollection 2018 Sep.

Operational consistency of medical linear accelerators manufactured and commissioned in series

Callistus M Nguyen  1   2 , Alan H Baydush  2 , James D Ververs  2 , Scott Isom  3 , Charles M Able  4 , Michael T Munley  1   2
Affiliations

Operational consistency of medical linear accelerators manufactured and commissioned in series

Callistus M Nguyen et al. Tech Innov Patient Support Radiat Oncol. .

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if medical linear accelerators (linac) produced by the same manufacturer exhibit operational consistency within their subsystems and components. Two linacs that were commissioned together and installed at the same facility were monitored. Each machine delivered a daily robust quality assurance (QA) irradiation. Linacs and their components operate consistently, but have different operational parameter levels even when produced by the same manufacturer and commissioned in series. These findings have implications on the feasibility of true clinical beam matching.

Keywords: Medical linear accelerator; Performance; Quality assurance; Statistical process control.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Graphical analysis of the BGM-PWM subnode. (a) Median values for the BGM-PWM parameters of the two linacs in this study. The median values show that each linac performance parameter is distinct. (b) The control limits of the “I” chart for BGM-PWM parameters of two linacs. The control limits show that each linac has its own operating window.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Graphical analysis of Motion Control parameters. (a) The ratio of MLC speeds in Bank A of two linacs. The spread of the data shows that these parameters are different from each other. (b) Median values for Motion Control parameters of the two linacs in this study. The median values show that each linac performance parameter is distinct. (c) The control limits of the “I” chart for the Motion Control parameters of two linacs. The control limits show that each linac has its own operating window.
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