The multi-center study “Feasibility of using IQM for QA tests of a medical linear accelerator“, published by JACMP in January 2024 and involving leading radiation therapy centers such as Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Mayo Clinic, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has confirmed the effectiveness of the Integral Quality Monitor (IQM) system in conducting critical Machine QA tasks.
The soon-to-be released IQM software v1.10 represents a major leap forward, seamlessly integrating automated checks for dose rate dependence and MU linearity tests into daily clinical routines. IQM v1.10 will automatically execute pre-defined beam sequences for both dose rate dependence and linearity checks, stored directly within the Oncology Information System, enabling a seamless and hands-free QA process.
Upon execution of the dose rate test related sequence, IQM autonomously captures and analyzes the data, subsequently generating a comprehensive Dose Rate Dependence Report.
The Dose Rate Dependence Report shows the differences resulting from delivering the same beam at different dose rates relative to a user-definable reference dose rate. The report shows the results both for the current session as well as the average variations observed over the last month. Moreover, it tracks long-term changes over a user-defined period.
The Linearity Report shows the differences resulting from delivering the same beam with different MU’s relative to a user-defined reference signal. Similarly to the Dose Rate Dependence Report, the Linearity Report also shows the results both for the current session as well as the average variations observed over the last month. Likewise, it tracks long-term changes over a user-defined period.
IQM’s innovative detector design ensures highly accurate and precise results for both dose rate dependence tests and dose linearity checks. IQM automatically responds to the execution of pre-defined beam sequences, streamlining the QA process, saving time and minimizing manual intervention. IQM offers detailed reports that include current session data, average variations over time, and long-term trends, providing a comprehensive overview of machine performance. IQM’s ability to set user-definable reference values and periods for tracking changes allows for customized monitoring tailored to specific departmental needs.
Consistent and accurate QA checks help ensure patient safety by maintaining the integrity and performance of the linear accelerator, IQM not only enhances treatment effectiveness but also streamlines operations and boosts patient outcomes.