Metrology: new Varian TrueBeam medical accelerator operational

Posted on 15 October 2014

The Varian TrueBeam medical accelerator purchased by France’s national metrology lab for ionizing radiation, LNHB (Laboratoire national Henri-Becquerel), and set up at the Doseo center for radiotherapy technology went online on October 1, 2014.

Accélérateur médical Varian TrueBeam dédié à la métrologie

The latest-generation accelerator will be used for metrology R&D conducted by LNHB to develop dosimetric references and transfer them to radiotherapy professionals. It provides small-section beams suited to the requirements of current treatments like intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

The machine was delivered in April 2014, and it took several months to install, complete dosimetric characterization, and make the final adjustments for dose metrology studies.

LNHB researchers at Doseo will now be learning to use the new machine, which will be used to establish new dosimetric references in absorbed dose to water using primary instruments, including a water calorimeter, developed by the lab. The metrological references will position Doseo to calibrate dosimeters in use at treatment centers by 2016.