Varisource 200 brachytherapy machine and components

Varisource 200 brachytherapy machine and applicators made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

A machine known as an afterloader, holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary radiation exposure to the operator and their patients.

Details

Category:
Radiomedicine
Object Number:
2019-297
Materials:
metal, plastic and electronic components
type:
brachytherapy machine

Parts

Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’

Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’

Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’, used for storing and remotely delivering sources of radiation to treat cancer, serial number 393, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005

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A machine known as an afterloader, holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary radiation exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Measurements:
overall: 1150 mm x 5300 mm x 710 mm, 144 kg
Materials:
steel , aluminium and tungsten
Object Number:
2019-297/1
type:
afterloader
Varisource 200 console for brachytherapy ‘afterloader’

Varisource 200 console for brachytherapy ‘afterloader’

Varisource 200 console for brachytherapy ‘afterloader’, used to control the ‘afterloader’ delivery system of storing and remotely delivering sources of radiation to patients, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005.

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A machine known as an afterloader, holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Measurements:
overall: 4.5 kg
Materials:
metal , plastic and electronic components
Object Number:
2019-297/2
type:
consoles
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Door box for Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader"

Door box for Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader"

Door box for Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ system, controlling access to room where patient receives radiation treatment to prevent exposure to practitioners and making visible stages of treatment to practitioners in shielded control room, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005.

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To prevent and lessen the risk of exposure to radiation used for cancer treatment to staff, access to therapy rooms is strictly controlled. Located outside the room, any member of staff will know what stage the treatment is at. They oversee the procedure from a shielded room.

A machine known as an afterloader, holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
metal , plastic and electronic components
Object Number:
2019-297/3
type:
box - container
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
‘Last man out’ switch for Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ system

‘Last man out’ switch for Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ system

‘Last man out’ switch for Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ system, controlling access to room where patient receives radiation treatment to prevent exposure to practitioners, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005.

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Once their patient is set up and ready for their treatment, the last member of staff presses this button as they leave the room. It is one of a number of safety measures installed to reduce the risk of staff to exposure of radiation. They oversee the treatment from a shielded room and can talk with their patient through microphones and speakers.

A machine known as an afterloader, holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
metal , plastic and electronic components
Object Number:
2019-297/4
type:
switch
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ dummy radiation source wire

Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ dummy radiation source wire

Varisource 200 brachytherapy ‘afterloader’ dummy radiation source wire, this wire is used in the first stage of the treatment process to check that the pathway to the patient is clear so that the ‘afterloader’ can then be cleared to deliver the radiation source to the patient, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005.

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Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It requires several steps to ensure that the procedure is carried out safely and effectively. This wire is used to check that the pathway to the patient is clear so that the ‘afterloader’ can deliver the radiation source to the patient.

The afterloader holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2019-297/5
type:
wire
Image ©
The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Applicator Set to treat cancer of the vagina or rectum

Applicator Set to treat cancer of the vagina or rectum

Vaginal Applicator Set used to treat cancer of the vagina or rectum, used in conjunction with the Varisource 200 brachytherapy system, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005

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The applicator is inserted close to the site where radiation treatment is needed, and the Varisource system delivers radiation via a source wire. The applicator cylinder is designed so that the distance between the tip and the source remains constant ensuring a targeted, consistent treatment dose.

The afterloader holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2019-297/6
type:
applicator
Shielded applicator set used to treat cancer of the vagina or rectum

Shielded applicator set used to treat cancer of the vagina or rectum

Shielded Applicator Set used to treat cancer of the vagina or rectum where partial radiation shielding is required, used in conjunction with the Varisource 200 brachytherapy system, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005

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The applicator is inserted close to the site where radiation treatment is needed, and the Varisource system delivers radiation via a source wire. The applicator cylinder is designed so that the distance between the tip and the source remains constant ensuring a targeted, consistent treatment dose. Tungsten alloy segments provide shielding to protect areas of the patient’s anatomy not requiring exposure to radiation. A marking screw allows for external identification of the area being shielded inside.

The afterloader holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2019-297/7
type:
applicator
Universal Endometrial Applicator Set used to treat the vagina

Universal Endometrial Applicator Set used to treat the vagina

Universal Endometrial Applicator Set used to treat the vagina, cervix, paracervical area, endometrium, uterus and ovaries, used in conjunction with the Varisource 200 brachytherapy system, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005

More

The applicator is inserted close to the site where radiation treatment is needed, and the Varisource system delivers radiation via a source wire. The applicator cylinder is designed so that the distance between the tip and the source remains constant ensuring a targeted, consistent treatment dose.

The afterloader holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
metal and plastic
Object Number:
2019-297/8
type:
applicator
Titanium Fletcher-Suit Delclos-style Applicator Set used for high dose and pulse dose rate treatment of the uterus

Titanium Fletcher-Suit Delclos-style Applicator Set used for high dose and pulse dose rate treatment of the uterus

Titanium Fletcher-Suit Delclos-style Applicator Set used for high dose and pulse dose rate treatment of the uterus, cervix, endometrium and vagina, used in conjunction with the Varisource 200 brachytherapy system, made by Varian Medical Systems, Crawley, United Kingdom, 2005

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The applicator is inserted close to the site where radiation treatment is needed, and the Varisource system delivers radiation via a source wire. The applicator cylinder is designed so that the distance between the tip and the source remains constant ensuring a targeted, consistent treatment dose. Tungsten alloy segments provide shielding to protect areas of the patient’s anatomy not requiring exposure to radiation. A marking screw allows for external identification of the area being shielded inside.

The afterloader holds the tiny radioactive source (smaller than a grain of rice) in a safe place, until it is needed for treatment. The development of remote afterloading systems, which allow the radiation to be delivered from a shielded safe, and the use of new radioactive sources in the 1950s and 1960s, reduced the risk of unnecessary exposure to the operator and their patients.

Brachytherapy is a form of radiotherapy which places radioactive sources close or even inside the area requiring treatment. It is usually used to treat prostate cancer, cervical and womb cancer and sometimes head and neck cancers. The advantages of this technique is that the treatment affects only a very localized area so exposure to healthy tissues is reduced. The radioactive source is applied through applicators typically a needle or plastic catheter. On completion of delivery of the radioactive sources, the applicators are carefully removed from the body. Low dose brachytherapy or radioactive seeds remain in the body over a period of a few months. High dose therapies are carried out for a few minutes per visit as part of a treatment plan.

Materials:
titanium and plastic
Object Number:
2019-297/9
type:
applicator