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Linear Accelerator

A linear accelerator, also called a LINAC, is a large and very heavy machine used to create a uniform, very high energy x-ray beam used to treat cancer in all parts of the body.  These x-rays can destroy cancer cells while sparing the normal surrounding tissues. 

The x-ray beam is projected from the LINAC Head, which is part of the gantry which rotates around the patient while delivery the tumor dose of radiation. 

Seimens Primus Linac in the 90 degree position operated by our radiation therpay technician Mitzi Falconer.

The x-ray beam is shaped by our integrated multi-leaf collimator to conform to the shape of the tumor. As the gantry rotates during the treatment fraction, the shape of the tumor, seen from the different gantry positions, will change.  The multi-leaf collimator will simultaneously change accordingly to treat only the tumor and minimize the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues as the gantry rotates around the patient.  This advanced radiation treatment method is called Intensity Modulated Radiastion Therapy.

   

Multi-leaf collimator conformed to tumor.           Monitor display of treatment area.

This equipment is capable of up to 15 MEV and requires extreme shielding.  The construction process is thorough and complex, requiring numerous calculations by certified and licensed radiation physicists and the State Certification.  The LINAC vault is contructed of 7000 psi concrete.  The floor of our vault is 36" plus 14" of sand and another 4-6" of floor concrete.  The lid (ceiling) is 53", the primary walls are 53" and 45", the secondary walls are 20" and 28".