Varisource 200 brachytherapy machine and components

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.