Therapy Machines Flashcards
Characteristics of a Superficial Unit:
- 50-150 kVp
- 8 mA
- SSD = 20cm
- 2000 rad/min Max
- dmax = surface
- spec’d out by Al (not kVp) - also called “aluminum beam”
Characteristics of an Orthovoltage Unit:
- 150-500 kVp
- 10-20 mA
- SSD = 50cm
- 100 rad/min
- dmax = surface
- spec’d out by Cu (not kVp) - also called “copper beam”
What is the range of a Superficial Unit?
8cm in tissue
What is the HVL of a Superficial Unit?
8mm Al
What is the d90 of an Orthovoltage Unit?
d90 = 2cm
What is the HVL of an Orthovoltage Unit?
1-4mm Cu
What is needed to calculate MU/time for Superficial and Orthovoltage units?
- Filter type
- BSF
- Output in Air
- Air gap (if present)
For Superficial and Orthovoltage units, what will a change in filter affect?
HVL and Dose Rate
For Superficial and Orthovoltage units, an increase in HVL will result in what?
increasing the PDD (beam hardening)
How does filtering shift a beam for Superficial and Orthovoltage units?
Filtering shifts the avg E to the right (max E does not change with filtration)
How does Co-60 decay?
beta- with release of 2 gamma rays
What initial source E is a Co-60 unit loaded with?
10,000 Ci
What is the Dose Rate of a Co-60 Unit?
200 cGy/min at 80cm
What is the dmax of a Co-60 Unit?
0.5cm
What is the source size of a Co-60 Unit, and will this create small or large penumbra?
ss = 1.5 - 2cm (with circle end facing pt); large penumbra
What are some advantages of Co-60 Units when compared to Cs-137 and Ra-226?
- Higher specific Activity
- Increased Output/Ci
- Higher E - deeper penetration
What are the leakage rates of Co-60?
OFF: 2mR/hr Avg; 10mR/hr Max
ON: 0.1% of dose in air at 100cm (same as LINAC)
Medical Cyclotrons accelerate ____?
charged particles (not electrons)
What energy is a Low E Cyclotrons, and what elements can they produce?
<18 MeV; F-18, O-15, N-13, C-11