Table 2.
Acceptance tests of a tomotherapy Hi-ART machine
| Items checked | Acceptance method | Acceptance check |
|---|---|---|
| System start up | - Upon power up the red lasers turn on and move to home position | Functional |
| - Operator station (OS) computer turns on and operator logs in | ||
| - System initializes, couch and laser positions are displayed on position control panel | ||
| System shut down | - Operator station computer turned off, key turned off on the machine and switched off. Red lasers turn off and the power distribution unit is turned off | Functional |
| Manual couch control | - Couch moves up or down and in or out only when the enable button underneath is pressed | Functional |
| DICOM import | - Import of DICOM images (kVCT) and structures to the system and display at the operator and planning station (PS) | Images can be viewed at OS and PS |
| Safety interlock | - Mode switch: Imaging MVCT can not be formed when the mode switch is at treat | Functional |
| - Visual and audible indicators working | ||
| - Door interlock working – checked during MVCT imaging procedure | ||
| - Stop button on position control panel (PCP) working | ||
| - Each emergency stop inside and outside the treatment room and on status control shuts down power to the gantry | ||
| Laser alignment | Verify home positions for movable red lasers where they overlap the fixed overhead green lasers within ±1 mm | Verified |
| Create a MVCT scan procedure for the cylindrical cheese phantom with the dowel at 5 mm position out. Red lasers move from home position to 2, 8 and 4 cm in the X, Y and −Z directions, respectively. | ||
| Dose during MVCT scan is less than 4 cGy | ||
| MVCT images are reconstructed and viewable from Reconstruction tab. | ||
| Lateral and vertical shift for the reference “cross” on the MVCT image is ±1 mm and 5±1 mm, respectively. | ||
| Treatment delivery test | Treatment plans for “on axis” and “off axis” targets on a cheese phantom are delivered. The measured dose at each point is within ± 3% at ± 3 mm of the calculated point. | Verified |
| Interrupted treatment completion test | Two films are exposed sequentially with uninterrupted and interrupted but completed procedures. Visual inspection of the films shows no discontinuity and point dose difference is within 3%. | Verified |