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Statistical Analysis of Operating Efficiency and Failures of a Medical Linear Accelerator for Ten Years  

Ju Sang Gyu (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Huh Seung Jae (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Han Youngyih (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Seo Jeong Min (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Kim Won Kyou (Departments of Biomedical Engineer, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Kim Tae Jong (Departments of Biomedical Engineer, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Shin Eun Hyuk (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Park Ju Young (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Yeo Inhwan J. (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Choi David R. (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Ahn Yong Chan (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Park Won (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Lim Do Hoon (Departments of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
Publication Information
Radiation Oncology Journal / v.23, no.3, 2005 , pp. 186-193 More about this Journal
Abstract
Purpose: To improve the management of a medical linear accelerator, the records of operational failures of a Varian CL2l00C over a ten year period were retrospectively analyzed. Materials and Methods: The failures were classified according to the involved functional subunits, with each class rated Into one of three levels depending on the operational conditions. The relationships between the failure rate and working ratio and between the failure rate and outside temperature were investigated. In addition, the average life time of the main part and the operating efficiency over the last 4 years were analyzed. Results: Among the recorded failures (total 587 failures), the most frequent failure was observed in the parts related with the collimation system, including the monitor chamber, which accounted for $20\%$ of all failures. With regard to the operational conditions, 2nd level of failures, which temporally interrupted treatments, were the most frequent. Third level of failures, which interrupted treatment for more than several hours, were mostly caused by the accelerating subunit. The number of failures was increased with number of treatments and operating time. The average life-times of the Klystron and Thyratron became shorter as the working ratio increased, and were 42 and $83\%$ of the expected values, respectively. The operating efficiency was maintained at $95\%$ or higher, but this value slightly decreased. There was no significant correlation between the number of failures and the outside temperature. Conclusion: The maintenance of detailed equipment problems and failures records over a long period of time can provide good knowledge of equipment function as well as the capability of predicting future failure. Wore rigorous equipment maintenance Is required for old medical linear accelerators for the advanced avoidance of serious failure and to improve the qualify of patient treatment.
Keywords
Pattern of failure; Operating efficiency of linear accelerator; Management of linear accelerator;
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  • Reference
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