Biomaterial Database

Radiation protection aspects of a new high-energy linear accelerator. 1985

P O'Brien, and H B Michaels, and B Gillies, and J E Aldrich, and J W Andrew

The Therac-25 is a new 25-MeV linear accelerator manufactured by Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. The first two units have recently been installed in Toronto, Ontario and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Calculations and measurements of primary and secondary radiation levels were made. Neutron dose-equivalent rates were measured inside and outside the room. The maximum leakage rate at 1 m from the accelerator target was 0.4% Sv per peak photon Gy. The tenth value layer for neutrons from the Therac-25, at the entrance to a one-legged maze was found to be 5.5 cm of polyethylene. Measurements were done to estimate daily technologist exposure due to induced activity in the treatment room.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009502	Neutrons	Electrically neutral elementary particles found in all atomic nuclei except light hydrogen; the mass is equal to that of the proton and electron combined and they are unstable when isolated from the nucleus, undergoing beta decay. Slow, thermal, epithermal, and fast neutrons refer to the energy levels with which the neutrons are ejected from heavier nuclei during their decay.	Neutron
D010315	Particle Accelerators	Devices which accelerate electrically charged atomic or subatomic particles, such as electrons, protons or ions, to high velocities so they have high kinetic energy.	Betatrons,Linear Accelerators,Accelerator, Linear,Accelerator, Particle,Accelerators, Linear,Accelerators, Particle,Betatron,Linear Accelerator,Particle Accelerator
D011827	Radiation	Emission or propagation of acoustic waves (SOUND), ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY waves (such as LIGHT; RADIO WAVES; GAMMA RAYS; or X-RAYS), or a stream of subatomic particles (such as ELECTRONS; NEUTRONS; PROTONS; or ALPHA PARTICLES).	Radiations
D011834	Radiation Monitoring	The observation, either continuously or at intervals, of the levels of radiation in a given area, generally for the purpose of assuring that they have not exceeded prescribed amounts or, in case of radiation already present in the area, assuring that the levels have returned to those meeting acceptable safety standards.	Monitoring, Radiation
D011835	Radiation Protection	Methods and practices adopted to protect against RADIATION.	Protection, Radiation
D011879	Radiotherapy Dosage	The total amount of radiation absorbed by tissues as a result of radiotherapy.	Dosage, Radiotherapy,Dosages, Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy Dosages
D011882	Radiotherapy, High-Energy	Radiotherapy using high-energy (megavolt or higher) ionizing radiation. Types of radiation include gamma rays, produced by a radioisotope within a teletherapy unit; x-rays, electrons, protons, alpha particles (helium ions) and heavy charged ions, produced by particle acceleration; and neutrons and pi-mesons (pions), produced as secondary particles following bombardment of a target with a primary particle.	Megavolt Radiotherapy,High-Energy Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy, Megavolt,High Energy Radiotherapy,Radiotherapy, High Energy
D004583	Electrons	Stable elementary particles having the smallest known negative charge, present in all elements; also called negatrons. Positively charged electrons are called positrons. The numbers, energies and arrangement of electrons around atomic nuclei determine the chemical identities of elements. Beams of electrons are called CATHODE RAYS.	Fast Electrons,Negatrons,Positrons,Electron,Electron, Fast,Electrons, Fast,Fast Electron,Negatron,Positron
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man