Minimizing entrance door thickness for direct-entry radiotherapy rooms.
When medical linear accelerator rooms are constructed without entrance mazes, the entrance doors can be as thick as 50 cm, weigh 10,000 kg, and cost 50-60 thousand dollars. We describe a method of room design in which the therapy unit is positioned 180 degrees from the usual orientation. A short stub wall that attenuates the leakage component of the secondary radiation protects the door. Using this approach, the door can be reduced to approximately half the usual thickness with a significant impact on cost. For these motor-driven doors, there are also long-term benefits related to maintenance of the operating hardware.
Barish
Robert J
RJ
In-Flight Radiation Protection Services, Inc. 211 E. 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA. robbarish@aol.com
D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design / Q000379:methods*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014481:United States