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.