How the linear accelerator works

How does a Linear Accelerator work? What does a Linear accelerator do?

A linear accelerator (Linac) is a powerful device used in radiation therapy to treat cancer. It produces high-energy x-rays, or electron beams that target tumors with precision, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Learn how this cutting-edge technology helps shrink tumors and kill cancer cells.

How it works:

• Radiofrequency waves accelerate electrons to near the speed of light inside a waveguide
• When electrons hit a tungsten target, they create high-energy X-rays
• Magnets in the flight tube cause electrons to bend to the position of the beam before striking a target. A vacuum focuses and guides the beam to the tumor with 1-millimeter precision – this slalom bending is unique to Elekta’s linear accelerators
• Multi-leaf collimators shape the beam and reduce radiation leakage, ensuring accurate treatment

Key features:

• A multi-leaf collimator shapes the radiation for complex treatments
• A computer system synchronizes the Linac and collimator for optimal therapy delivery, this eliminates dosimetric errors due to communication delays
• Large clearance around the isocenter allows flexibility in improved access for patient set up, freedom to use the best possible patient positioning and immobilization accessories
•  2 independent ionization chambers: 
  
  •  Primary decimeter – it measures the radiation and terminates the beam when the required dose has been delivered
  • Acts as a backup and will stop the irradiation if the primary chamber fails 

(Beam quality function is performed by a 3rd ionizing chamber which uses 7 electrodes to monitor different sections of the radiation field).

Discover how linear accelerators are revolutionizing cancer treatment with precision, flexibility, and advanced technology for effective, targeted therapy.

Associated pages:
Radiation Therapy | Linac Machines | Products | Elekta
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