| CODE | RAD3221 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Radiotherapy Devices/Equipment | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | Not Applicable | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Radiography | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | 1. Imaging in oncology - The appropriate selection and application of various imaging modalities in radiotherapy. Use of imaging modalities for localisation – CT, MRI, ultrasound, PET-CT. The radiotherapy simulator and CT-sim; - Introduction to megavoltage imaging. 2. Kilovoltage Equipment for Radiotherapy - Kilovoltage energy range radiotherapy equipment - superficial X-ray treatment units, deep X-ray treatment units; - The manufacture, range and types of accessory equipment used in kilovoltage X-ray equipment; - Quality assurance of equipment. Radiation output measurement to include full calibration and regular output checks. Routine check procedures for beam alignment, flatness and energy. Acceptance tests and parameters for the commissioning of new equipment; - Factors involved in the selection and purchasing of therapeutic radiographic equipment. 3. Megavoltage Equipment for Radiotherapy - Megavoltage photon energy range external beam radiotherapy equipment - linear accelerators, teletherapy units; - The manufacture, range and types of accessory equipment used in megavoltage X-ray equipment; - Quality assurance of equipment. Radiation output measurement to include full calibration and regular output checks. Routine check procedures for beam alignment, flatness and energy. Acceptance tests and parameters for the commissioning of new equipment; - Factors involved in the selection and purchasing of therapeutic radiographic equipment. 4. Radiation protection - Statutory requirements and responsibilities in the radiotherapy department; - Radiation protection – room and equipment design with respect to kilovoltage and megavoltage X-ray equipment; - Specific radiation protection for gamma ray equipment; - The safe operation of equipment; - Procedures / protocols necessary for clinical practice. 5. Beam characteristics - Kilovoltage and megavoltage photon beams; - Beam characteristics and isodose distribution in tissue. 6. Measurement of radiation beams - Effects of X-ray absorption which may be used for measurement; - The principles of operation, structure, relevant advantages and uses of measuring devices in therapeutic radiography; - Factors affecting dose measurement and their relevance. Study-unit Aims: - Cope with the demands of an increasingly technical environment and demonstrate an adaptable and flexible approach to the application of the principles of equipment operation; - Be responsible to patients, other staff groups and themselves for the equipment they use in planning and undertaking of patient treatments; - Understand the use of imaging equipment in radiotherapy treatment planning; - Be fully involved with quality assurance mechanisms for all equipment used; - Be involved in the selection and management of equipment with which they work and possess the skills necessary to analyse and evaluate equipment performance; - Demonstrate understanding of measurement of radiation. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Explain the physical concepts and principles in the design and construction of radiotherapy kilovoltage treatment units, megavoltage treatment units, radiotherapy simulators and accessory equipment; - Describe the various commissioning/quality tests undertaken on installing radiotherapy equipment and explain the need for and perform daily quality assurance tests undertaken on the range of equipment found within the radiotherapy department; - Demonstrate an understanding of current developments and trends in technology and its applications to radiotherapy; - Explain the physical concepts and principles in the design and construction of devices to measure radiation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Discuss how radiation beams interact with tissue; - Discuss the role of various imaging modalities within radiotherapy and oncology. Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills: - Identify radiation hazards according to legislature and hazard warning notices and apply this knowledge to the working environment; - Recognise faults and malfunctions or deviations from normal operation and the possible implications of such faults or deviations on treatment delivery. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Ball. J., Moore, A. & Turner, S. (2008). Essential Physics for Radiographers. (4th edition) Oxford: Blackwell Science. - Cherry, P. & Duxbury, A. (editors) (2009) Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment. (2nd edition) London: Wiley. - Graham, D.T., Cloke, P. & Vosper, M. (2007) Principles of Radiological Physics. (5th edition) Oxford: Elsevier Ltd. - Green, D. & Williams, P.C. (1997) Linear Accelerators for Radiation Therapy. (2nd edition). Bristol: Institute of Physics Publishing. - Hoskin, P. (editor) (2010) Radiotherapy in Practice: Imaging. Oxford: Oxford University Press. - National Radiotherapy Advisory Group (2007) Radiotherapy: developing a world class service for England. Report to Ministers from National Radiotherapy Advisory Group. - Symonds, P. et al (editors) (2012) Walter and Miller’s Textbook of Radiotherapy. (7th edition). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone. - The Royal College of Radiologists, Society and College of Radiographers, Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine, National Patient Safety Agency, British Institute of Radiology. (2008) Towards Safer Radiotherapy. London: The Royal College of Radiologists. - Webb, S. (1997) The Physics of Conformal Radiotherapy. Bristol: Institute of Physics Publishing. - Williams, J.R. & Thwaites, D.I. (2001) Radiotherapy Physics. (2nd edition). Oxford: Oxford Medical Publications. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Independent Study, Demonstrations & Lectures | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Jose Guilherme Couto Susan Mercieca Gerbert Van Dijk |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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