Standard Imaging QA BEAMCHECKER PLUS User Manual

QA BEAMCHECKER™ PLUS 7
1 Overview
NOTE: This manual refers to operation while using QA BeamChecker Plus Communication
Software version 2.3.X. If using a previous version, contact Standard Imaging for the latest
revision of the QA BeamChecker Plus Communication Software.
The QA BeamChecker Plus (QABC+) is a reliable and uncomplicated measurement
instrument for daily quality assurance testing of linear accelerators, TomoTherapy Systems
®
, or
other rotational delivery treatment delivery systems. It assists medical physicists in verifying
that the constancy, symmetry, flatness, and other parameters of a beam are not changing
over time.
The QA BeamChecker Plus consists of the standalone detector unit with 8 parallel plate
ionization chambers, a Power/Data Cradle, and PC-based software for baselining the current
machine parameters and viewing data in real-time. In the TomoTherapy mode, the additional
Precision TomoTherapy Leveling Platform is required for proper testing of laser alignment.
The QA BeamChecker Plus is calibrated to a known source after manufacture. The outputs of
the eight (8) internal parallel plate chambers are ‘leveled’ or adjusted via use of a multiplier for
each chamber. This multiplier is based on a value of one (1.000) for a perfect, expected
response. Each chamber multiplier is stored as an integer whole number (e.g., “1.000” is
represented as “1000”) in the device internal EEPROM memory for retention between release
for sale and return for repair. If a QA BeamChecker Plus is returned to SI for an indicated
repair (see pgs. 45-47), the device is ‘re-leveled’ after repair and the new chamber ‘leveling’
values replace the previous values stored in the EEPROM memory.
In daily beam QA use, the QA BeamChecker Plus, as an internally comparative measurement
tool, will indicate to the user if a given external radiotherapy beam has deviated from the
original beam ‘Baseline’ parameters. The QA BeamChecker Plus does not require any third-
party calibration throughout its lifetime and therefore has no associated calibration interval
nor any required annual servicing.
1.1 Usage Overview
The physicist initially “baselines” each accelerator energy, using the included software. This
stores a picture of the current beam constancy, flatness and symmetry, and generates a
unique identifier for each energy. This energy identifier is the key for “Wire-Free” standalone
operation of the QA BeamChecker Plus.
After initially creating baselines by connecting the QA BeamChecker Plus and using the
accompanying software, no cables are required, and no software is needed for day to day
operation of the instrument.
In daily use for linear accelerators, the QA BeamChecker Plus is simply placed back on the
treatment couch using the baselined setup data parameters, a field size of 20 x 20 cm, and
typically an SSD of 100 cm. Linear accelerator energies may be delivered in any order, and
temperature and pressure corrections are automatically made by an on-board sensor. A
unique flip feature is used to measure both photons and electrons. When the “photon side” is
faced toward the beam, 3.5 cm of water-equivalent buildup is provided over the detectors,

Standard Imaging QA BEAMCHECKER PLUS Specifications

General

Brand	Standard Imaging
Model	QA BEAMCHECKER PLUS
Category	Measuring Instruments
Language	English