When is purchasing a used linear accelerator a good idea?

Purchasing a used linear accelerator system is not recommended for every facility. New equipment is often a better solution for many customers. If your center requires the latest technology available in the market today, or if you are planning on installing a machine that will not be replaced for a longer period of time (at least in the next 10-15 years) then a brand new machine, or an almost-new machine, is often the better choice.

Many radiation oncology centers often struggle with the idea of new vs. used equipment.

The Varian iX linear accelerator (LINAC) provides targeted treatment for your oncology patients. This advanced model is capable of disrupting cancer cells without harming the surrounding normal tissue. It features tumor-targeting technology that can be used on any area of the body appropriate for radiation therapy. In addition, it offers versatile imaging options that help clinicians better care for their patients with both short-term and long-term treatments. It has the ability to receive future upgrades to stay on top of cutting-edge technology, and with a variety of patient treatment options, it’s a smart investment for dynamic health care providers. This state-of-the-art linear accelerator is available as a pre-owned system from Radiology Oncology Systems. This particular Varian iX unit has been meticulously inspected to ensure it meets manufacturer’s specifications. This ensures that the equipment functions reliably and continues to provide high-quality radiation treatment for every patient. This iX model was manufactured in 2012 and is the newest Varian iX currently on the secondary market.

The CYRPA™ patient positioning system provides accuracy without compromise. It delivers precision of ±0.1 mm, which is unsurpassed in positioning lasers.

Key features of CYRPA lasers include:

• Ability to automatically adjust and calibrate the SmartPhantom in about 10 minutes to have a perfectly defined ISO center location.
• Remotely and instantaneously interchangeable red / green laser beams. Blue is also an option.
• Automatic calibration of the lasers to within ± 0.1mm margin of error.
• Highly customizable (e.g. a 12-laser system for a proton center)

CYRPA patient positioning laser systems are ideally suited for radiation therapy centers seeking sub-millimeter accuracy to complement state-of-the-art, SRS and SBRT linear accelerator and CT simulation systems.

To determine if CYRPA is a good fit for your radiation oncology department, submit this short form and one of our specialists will be in touch.

Varian Clinac Series Low Energy Machine Models: 6/100, 600C, 600C/D, 6EX
Varian Clinac Series High Energy Machine Models: 2100C, 2100C/D, 2300C/D, 21EX, 23EX, 21iX

For many years, cobalt-60 systems were the equipment of choice for radiation therapy in developing regions of the world. Cobalt systems are still a good option today, according to the IAEA, in areas of the world where linear accelerators are not an option due to power requirements, servicing capabilities and humidity concerns.

Over the past two decades, used/refurbished linear accelerators have become a viable option to replace cobalt-60 systems, as costs of pre-owned linear accelerators have decreased. Over the past decade, ROS has delivered and installed dozens of refurbished linear accelerators in countries all over the world, many as replacements for older cobalt machines. Most of the equipment has originated from developed countries including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Holland, Sweden, Australia and Taiwan.

A question that we hear often at ROS is “we are looking for a pre-owned, Varian linear accelerator with SRS capabilities.”  The answer to this question requires a basic understanding of the some of the common models of Varian linear accelerators that are available in the pre-owned equipment market:  Clinac 2100C, 2100C/D, 21EX, 23EX, iX, DHX and Trilogy.

Read More ...