Standart Imaging HDR 1000 User manual

HDR 1000 QA Tool
REF 70008
DOC #80012-04
R
STANDARD IMAGING, INC.
7601 Murphy Drive
Middleton, WI 53562
TEL [phone]
TEL [phone]
FAX [phone]
May / 2004 ©2004 Standard Imaging, Inc. www.standardimaging.com

General Precautions
CAUTION:
Proper use of this device de-
pends on careful reading of
all instructions and labels.
CAUTION:
This device should never
be submerged to clean or
scrubbed with an abrasive
cleaner.
CAUTION:
Insure source freely moves
within secured catheter.
Proper location of source is
necessary to assure proper
calibration.
Warnings and Cautions alert users to
dangerous conditions that can occur if
instructions in the manual are not obeyed.
Warnings are conditions that can cause
injury to the operator, while Cautions can
cause damage to the equipment.
2
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Table of Contents
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5
6
7
8
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9
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11
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12
Overview
PAGE
General Precautions
Overview
Wall Mount for QA Measurements
Description
Operation Procedure
A. Initial Procedure
B. Calibrations for Constant, K
C. Standard QA Procedure
Table 5
Documentation of Results
Table 6
Table 7
Parts and Accessories List
Maintenance
Service Policy
Customer Responsibility
Warranty
Accurate delivery of doses using an high dose
rate (HDR) brachytherapy remote afterloading
system depends on predicting the strength of
the radioactive source at the time of treatment,
the precision and consistency of the timer, and
the ability of the unit to position the source at
the proper dwell location along the catheter.
Periodic quality assurance on HDR ma-
chines is a part of the standard protocol of
the user. The HDR QA tool for an HDR 1000
Plus well chamber is designed to verify the
consistency of source positioning, dwell time
accuracy and source activity.
Wall Mount for QA Measurements
A wall mount is available from Standard Imag-
ing for convenient mounting and storage of
the HDR 1000 ion chamber. It is important that
the chamber be located in a consistent loca-
tion for QA measurements. The QA tool can
be placed in the open holder space in the wall
mount that is next to the HDR 1000 chamber
opening. The HDR 1000 chamber can be con-
nected to a standard triax cable while mounted
on the wall.
Note: The HDR 1000 can be used mounted on the
wall for QA measurements, but should not be used
any closer than 25 cm to any wall for calibration
purposes. (See Medical Physics 19: 1311-1314
(1992)). Refer to the Instruction Manual received
with the HDR 1000 for calibration procedures.
7601 MURPHY DRIVE
MIDDLETON, WI 53562

Description
4
Figure 1 shows a schematic drawing of the
lead lined HDR QA tool insert. This tool is
inserted in the HDR 1000 Plus well chamber
in place of the standard source holder insert.
The distance from the bottom of the tool to
the center of the 4 mm spacer is 51 mm.
The HDR QA tool insert tightly collimates
the radiation received by the chamber to
a narrow plane. When the source lies in
that plane, the chamber responds with a
large signal; when the source falls partially
or completely out of the plane, the signal
greatly diminishes.
Operational Procedure
A. Initial Procedure
1. Insert the HDR QA tool into the well of the
HDR 1000 Ion chamber.
2. Insert the catheter from the HDR after-
loading machine through the opening in the
top of the HDR QA tool. Push the catheter
to the bottom of the chamber and lock the
catheter in place with the provided holding
device. Secure the catheter with the knurled
catheter holding device.
Note: Take care not to kink the catheter and insure
that the catheter is secured and unable to move.
If possible dedicate a catheter to this purpose and
once locked in place, let it remain in the QA tool.
The catheter should have a gentle arc when con-
nected to the HDR unit. Moving the HDR unit can
result in differences in the recorded values; always
keep the unit in the same position. For greater
rigidity a needle catheter is recommended.
This response curve is shown in Figure 2.
For checking positional accuracy, the high
slope regions of Figure 2, designated point
A, are the most useful. For checking dwell
time and activity, a plateau, designated point
B in Figure 2, rather than a peak is desired.
With this tool, the source position verication,
timer accuracy and consistency of the source
activity can be measured in a simpler manner
by using the method described below.
Figure 1: Schematic drawing of HDR QA Tool
Figure 2: Representative response curve
using HDR QA Tool insert of Fig. 1. The high
slope region is designated A and the plateau
region is designated B.

Operational Procedure
5
3. The rst time the tool is used, take data to
determine points A (slope) and B (plateau) as
shown in Figure 2 to document the position
on the HDR system. Point A should be where
the reading equals about 0.5 of the difference
between the maximum value and the trough
value. Point B should lie in the middle of the
maximum plateau. Program the HDR unit to
begin 40 mm from the bottom of the well, and
move by the nest increments to 60 mm from
the bottom, stopping for 10 seconds at each
dwell position. Record the current reading at
each position. If your HDR unit is unable to
determine millimeter sized steps, reprogram
the unit starting with different beginning loca-
tions to ll in the readings between the rst
set of dwell positions.
4. Correct the readings for temperature and
pressure.
5. Determine the values of the constant, K
(See section B. “Calculations for constant,
K” below), for points A and B, corrected to a
standard temperature and pressure. When
the HDR QA tool is rst used, a determination
of the value of K for each of points A and B as
measured above, must be made; thereafter,
it will be a constant for your HDR unit. Thus,
thereafter, only measurements of points A
and B need to be made.
B. Calculations for constant, K
Constant, K, can be determined from mea-
surements of the charge and current at
Points A and B. The concepts behind these
calculations are given in Med. Phys. 22:
435-440 (1995). The following expression
for a constant, K, can be determined from the
measurements for each point taken above:
1) K(x, t) = Q(x,t) * Ctp /Aoe(−λτ) * t
OR
2) K(x) = I(x) * Ctp /Aoe(−λτ)
Where:
K(x,t) is the function that relates the response of
the system to x and time t; this function will be a
constant for a given point of measurement.
Q(x,t) is the charge measured when the source
is in position x for time t, where x is the position of
the source in the QA insert and t is the exposure
time, if using a gated measurement system, or
otherwise the effective time, adjusted for transit-
time effects.
I(x) is the current measured when the source is
at position x
Ctp is the correction for temperature and atmo-
spheric pressure for the ionization chamber.
Ao is the source strength at the time of calibration
of the Ir-192 source
τ is the time since the calibration
λ is the decay constant of Ir-192
When an analysis is done for the uncer-
tainties associated with the parameters
of measurement, the total contribution is
equivalent to 0.7% (See Table 1 for uncer-
tainties for individual measurements). There-
fore, any changes in the value of K greater
than 1.5% may be considered signicant.
Therefore, a 1 mm error in position would
become approximately a 20% change in the
current-based KA, or greater than 10 times
the measurement uncertainty. The standard
deviation of a number of trials without any
changes has been shown to be within 1%.
Table 1: Showing uncertainty in test of K.
Test
Source Position
Dwell Time
Source Activity Consistency
Uncertainty in Test
< 0.1 mm
< 0.7 %
< 0.7 %

Operational Procedure
6
Table 2 lists the ranges of error for position-
ing based on the difference in the value of KA.
If the determinations of ∆KA remain less than
10%, the error in positioning is < 0.5 mm.
Table 3 has listed ranges of error based on
the difference in the value of KB from the av-
erage value of KB. The values given in Table
3 are based on two standard deviation limits
and the uncertainty analysis given above.
For example, if all of the determinations of
∆KB remain within 1%, the user can be as-
sured that the source activity calibration has
remained constant to within 0.1Ci, and the
error in the dwell time is less than 0.1 second
(See Table 3). Table 4 is based on the value
of ∆K and can be used to determine which
item, e.g. source positioning or dwell time,
is in error depending which value or values
of K are out of criterion.
Table 2: Deviation of KA and limits of error for QA Measurements
QA Test
Source Positioning
QA Test
Source Activity
Dwell Time
∆KA < 10 %
< 0.5 mm
∆KB < 1 %
< 0.1 Ci
< 0.1 s
10 % < ∆KA < 20 %
0.5 < x < 1.0 mm
1 % < ∆KB < 2 %
0.1 < A < 0.2 Ci
0.1 < t < 0.2 s
∆KA > 20 %
> 1.0 mm
∆KB > 2 %
> 0.2 Ci
> 0.2 s
Table 3: Deviation of KB and limits of error for QA Measurements
Table 4: Table for determining item in error depending on difference in value(s) of K
Source of error
appears as
Source Activity
Dwell Time
Source Positioning
minor
major
∆K(x)A
off
on
off
off
∆K(x)
off
on
on
off
∆K(x,t)
off
off
on
off
∆K(x)A/∆K(x)B
on
on
off
off
Parameter
Where:
∆K(x)A, ∆K(x)B are for current measurements and ∆K(x,t)B is an integrated measurement.
On means ∆KB < 1%, and ∆KA < 10%, Off means ∆KB > 1% and ∆KA > 10%.

Operational Procedure
7
Note that the values of K are unique for
your chamber and the electrometer used.
Your chamber and electrometer should be
calibrated to give calibration values, e.g. Nx,
unique to your setup. The Nx value and the
electrometer correction factors must be used
as a multiplier for Q and I in the above equa-
tions 1 and 2 for activity calibrations.
If the timer is suspected to be in error, the
timer accuracy can be determined at a
plateau position, Point B, by measuring the
charge accumulated in the amount of dwell
time set on the HDR control. The measured
amount of time can be calculated from equa-
tions 1 and 2 as follows:
3) Q (B, tset) = Q (B) + Q(transit)
Where:
Q(transit) is the reading accumulated while the
source moves into, and returns from, its dwell
position.
Approaching this analogously to that typical
of cobalt units, dene an effective transit
time, tef,tr such that
4) tmeas = β tset + tef,tr
Where:
β is a proportionality factor that should be equal
to unity if the HDR timer is accurate
tef,tr is the equivalent time to account for that part
of the reading produced with the source in transit
going to and returning from its dwell position
tmeas can be calculated by
5) tmeas = Q(B, tset) / I(B)
To solve for the unknowns, b and ttransit, two
different set times must be measured.
(See Table 5).
An assumption could be made that for ease
of use in daily performance of the timer
check, the program should be stored on a
program card or as a “standard” if the unit has
these capabilities. Dwell times in such stored
programs often increase exponentially over
time to compensate for radioactive decay of
the source. Thus, this procedure should not
be done; see Med Phys 22: 435-440 (1995)
for further explanations.
Date
24 May
1 June
2 June
3 June
8 June
9 June
10 June
11 June
I(B)
(nA)
11.780
11.170
11.030
10.890
10.260
10.080
10.180
10.160
Q(B, t1)
(nC)
62.85
59.70
59.45
58.15
54.95
54.65
54.75
54.05
Average
Std Dev
Q(924, t2)
(nC)
121.90
115.70
114.10
112.20
105.80
104.45
104.95
104.50
β
1.003
1.003
0.991
0.993
0.991
0.988
0.986
0.993
0.994
0.006
ttransit
(s)
0.32
0.33
0.44
0.38
0.40
0.48
0.45
0.35
0.39
0.06
Table 5: Example determining of β and ttransit of Equations 4 and 5 for 8 separate measurements.

Operational Procedure
8
C. Standard QA Procedure
1. Set up catheter and QA Tool as described
in steps A1 through A2.
2. Set the HDR unit to move the source to the
selected points A and B from above. Take
current measurements at these points. Then
take a charge measurement each for times
t1 and t2 (e.g. 10 seconds and 5 seconds) at
point B. Record data and calculations on a
chart as shown in Table 6.
3. Correct to a standard temperature and
pressure.
4. Determine the day’s values of the con-
stant, K, at points A and B.
5. Compare the day’s value for K to the ini-
tial value. Determine a percent difference
for the present value of K versus this initial
or average value for each measurement at
points A, and B.
Documentation of Results
Date
Point A
(current)
KA
(nA/Ci)
Point B
(current)
KB
(nA/Ci)
KB
(nC/Ci)
QB(t1)
(nC)
Table 6: QA Chart for HDR Source
Sample QA charts are given in Tables 6 and 7 to retain a record of the QA measurements.
In lieu of using these charts, columns can be added to the facility’s regular QA form.
Initials
QB(t2)
(nC)
HDR UNIT DISTANCE INDICATION
Point B
(integrated)
Date
1/18
1/19
1/20
1/21
1/24
1/25
1/26
Point A
(current)
KA
(nA/Ci)
1.543
1.512
1.508
1.515
1.510
1.559
1.557
Point B
(current)
KB
(nA/Ci)
2.004
2.002
2.005
2.002
2.006
2.009
2.008
KB
(nC/s)/(Ci)
2.003
2.003
2.004
2.002
2.008
2.008
2.008
QB(t1)
(nC)
62.85
63.12
62.80
63.04
62.85
62.95
62.93
Table 7: QA Chart for HDR Source
Initials
SCD
SCD
SCD
SCD
SCD
SCD
SCD
QB(t2)
(nC)
121.90
121.64
121.04
121.48
121.14
121.33
121.28
HDR UNIT DISTANCE INDICATION
Point B
(integrated)

9
Parts and Accessories List
REF
70008
70007
80012
10040
10041
30053
Description
HDR QA Tool
Wall Mount Bracket
HDR QA Tool Instruction Manual
O-Ring, QA Tool
Torque Wrench, QA Tool
Catheter Fixator, QA Tool
Maintenance
If assistance is desired in the proper disposal of this product (including accessories and
components), after its useful life, please return to Standard Imaging.
There are no servicable parts on the QA Tool Insert.

10
Notes

This product and its components will perform
properly and reliably only when operated and
maintained in accordance with the instruc-
tions contained in this manual and accompa-
nying labels. A defective device should not be
used. Parts which may be broken or missing
or are clearly worn, distorted or contaminated
should be replaced immediately with genuine
replacement parts manufactured by or made
available from Standard Imaging Inc.
CAUTION: Federal law in the U.S.A.
and Canadian law restrict the sale,
distribution, or use of this product
to, by, or on the order of a licensed
medical practitioner. The use of this
product should be restricted to the
supervision of a qualified medical
physicist. Measurement of high activ-
ity radioactive sources is potentially
hazardous and should be performed
by qualied personnel.
Should repair or replacement of this product
become necessary after the warranty pe-
riod, the customer should seek advice from
Standard Imaging Inc. prior to such repair
or replacement. If this product is in need of
repair, it should not be used until all repairs
have been made and the product is function-
ing properly and ready for use. After repair,
the product may need to be calibrated. The
owner of this product has sole responsibility
for any malfunction resulting from abuse,
improper use or maintenance, or repair by
anyone other than Standard Imaging Inc.
The information in this manual is subject to
change without notice. No part of this manual
may be copied or reproduced in any form or
by any means without prior written consent
of Standard Imaging Inc.
11
Customer Responsibility
!
If service, including recalibration, is required,
please contact Standard Imaging’s Customer
Service department by phone or email prior
to shipping the product. Standard Imaging’s
Customer Service and Technical Service
staff will attempt to address the product is-
sue via phone or email. If unable to address
the issue, a return material authorization
(RMA) number will be issued. With the
RMA number, the product can be returned
to Standard Imaging. It is the responsibility
of the customer to properly package, insure
and ship the product, with the RMA number
clearly identied on the outside of the pack-
age. The customer must immediately le
a claim with their carrier for any shipping
damage or lost shipments. Return shipping
and insurance is to be pre-paid or billed to
the customer, and the customer may request
a specic shipper. Items found to be out of
warranty are subject to a minimum service
fee of 1 hour labor (excluding recalibrations)
for diagnostic efforts and require a purchase
order (PO) before service is performed. With
concurrence from customer, the product may
be replaced if it is unserviceable or if the
required service is cost prohibitive. Products
incurring service charges may be held for
payment. Standard Imaging does not provide
loaner products. See the Standard Imaging
Warranty and Customer Responsibility for
additional information.
Service Policy

12
Warranty
Standard Imaging, Inc. sells this product under the warranty herein set forth. The war-
ranty is extended only to the buyer purchasing the product directly from Standard Imaging,
Inc. or as a new product from an authorized dealer or distributor of Standard Imaging, Inc.
For a period provided in the table below from the date of original delivery to the pur-
chaser or a distributor, this Standard Imaging, Inc. product, provided in the table is
warranted against functional defects in design, materials and workmanship, provided
it is properly operated under conditions of normal use, and that repairs and replace-
ments are made in accordance herewith. The foregoing warranty shall not apply if
the product has been altered, disassembled or repaired other than by Standard Imag-
ing, Inc. or if the product has been subject to abuse, misuse, negligence or accident.
Product Warranty Period
Standard Imaging Ionization Chambers 2 years
Standard Imaging Well Chambers 2 years
Standard Imaging Electrometers 2 years
Standard Imaging Software Products 1 year
All Other Standard Imaging Products 1 year
Standard Imaging Custom Product 90 days
Consumables 90 days
Serviced Product 90 days
Resale Products As dened by the Original Equipment Manufacturer
ADCL Product Calibration
(Standard Imaging uses the UW-ADCL for
recalibrations required under warranty)
0 - 90 days = 100% of ADCL Calibration Costs
91 - 182 days = 75% of ADCL Calibration Costs
183 – 365 days = 50% of ADCL Calibration Costs
366 – 639 days = 25% of ADCL Calibration Costs
(days from date of shipment to customer)
Standard Imaging’s sole and exclusive obligation and the purchaser’s sole and exclusive
remedy under the above warranties are, at Standard Imaging’s option, limited to repairing,
replacing free of charge or revising labeling and manual content on, a product: (1) which con-
tains a defect covered by the above warranties; (2) which are reported to Standard Imaging,
Inc. not later than seven (7) days after the expiration date of the warranty period in the table;
(3) which are returned to Standard Imaging, Inc. promptly after discovery of the defect; and (4)
which are found to be defective upon examination by Standard Imaging Inc. Transportation
related charges, (including, but not limited to shipping, customs, tariffs, taxes, and brokerage
fees) to Standard Imaging are the buyer’s responsibility. This warranty extends to every part
of the product except consumables (fuses, batteries, or glass breakage). Standard Imaging,
Inc. shall not be otherwise liable for any damages, including but not limited to, incidental
damages, consequential damages, or special damages. Repaired or replaced products are
warranted for the balance of the original warranty period, or at least 90 days.
This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, whether statutory or otherwise,
including any implied warranty of tness for a particular purpose. In no event shall Standard Im-
aging, Inc. be liable for any incidental or consequential damages resulting from the use, misuse
or abuse of the product or caused by any defect, failure or malfunction of the product, whether
a claim of such damages is based upon the warranty, contract, negligence, or otherwise.
This warranty represents the current standard warranty of Standard Imaging, Inc. Please refer
to the labeling or instruction manual of your Standard Imaging, Inc. product or the Standard
Imaging, Inc. web page for any warranty conditions unique to the product.