Global Clinical Engineering Journal

Dose Verification for Linac-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery planned at Different Prescription Isodose Levels Using Delta4 Phantom+

Emmanuel Fiagbedzi — 2024-12-30

Background: Linear accelerator (LINAC)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) plans and their treatment are complex techniques that require a comprehensive quality assurance program before they are clinically implemented. To cope with this intricacy, clinics must comprehensively validate treatment plans to deliver precise doses and assure patients. The study aimed to verify the treatment planning dose to the dose delivered at the LINAC during the SRS treatment planned at different prescription isodoses with the new wireless Delta4 Phantom+.
Materials and Methods: Clinically accepted volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) SRS plans made with the Stereotactic End-to-End Verification (STEEV) anthropomorphic phantom were created with six different prescription isodose level using 6 MV flattening filter free (FFF) beam. All these VMAT SRS plans were replicated on the Delta4phantom+ and delivered with Varian Truebeam LINAC. The planned and delivered dose showed excellent correlation, and this was evaluated using distance to agreement (2 mm), dose deviation (2%), and gamma-index passing rate.
Results: The results showed that the calculated treatment planning system (TPS) dose and the measurement with the delta4 plus phantom were in excellent accord. The minimum gamma pass rate was 99.6% and the maximum 100%. The gamma passing rate above 95% for all plans and dose goals were achieved.
Conclusion: The verification with the Delta4 Phantom+ measurement depicted an excellent correlation with the dose of the SRS treatment plans for the different prescription isodose levels. The wireless Delta 4Phantom+ device is precise and consistent. It is a quickly set-up device, suitable for SRS treatment verification and allows for real-time measurement. However, we do recommend a stricter passing rate for VMAT SRS Plans.

Application and Innovation of 3D Printing in Medical Equipment Maintenance

Lei Jiang — 2024-12-30

With the continuous progress of technology, 3D printing technology is setting off a revolution in medical equipment maintenance. The traditional supply chain and manufacturing process often lead to long maintenance times and high medical equipment costs. However, after the introduction of 3D printing technology, medical equipment maintenance will usher in a brand-new solution. Through 3D printing, medical institutions can manufacture the required parts independently, without relying on suppliers' delivery, thus greatly shortening the maintenance time. In addition, 3D printing can also be customized and optimized according to specific needs, improving the functionality and performance of medical equipment. Therefore, the application innovation of 3D printing in medical equipment maintenance will bring great potential and opportunities to the medical industry and provide better medical services for patients. This innovation will make medical equipment maintenance faster, more economical, and efficient, and meet individual needs, bringing unprecedented development opportunities for the medical industry.

Assessment and Capital Planning of a Regional Clinical Engineering Department Test Equipment Inventory

Samantha Puin Avila — 2024-12-30

The Clinical Engineering Department at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Eastern Ontario, Canada has 9 distinct regional locations. CHEO’s regional program faces a challenge managing a fleet of 345 pieces of test equipment, mainly due to a lack of standardization. Distant regional sites share equipment, making coordination essential. This article presents three unique themes: (1) the introduction of technologist standard kits (e.g., multimeters, electrical safety analyzers, etc.) and site-based kits (e.g., ventilator, electrosurgical unit testers, etc.); (2) the optimization of kit allocation; and (3) a novel test equipment replacement strategy using Reliability, Frequency of Use, Life Expectancy, and Usage Classification criteria. This needs assessment for new equipment, and the replacement of aged equipment will ensure standardized and up-to-date test equipment that will, in turn, minimize equipment-related disruptions and improve technologist productivity.

A Decision Support System for Rational Deployment of Medical Equipment Based on Real-world Data

Dingding Jia — 2024-12-30

Objectives: To inform judgments about the efficient and rational deployment of medical equipment in hospitals and give decision support.
Methods: The information system for rational deployment of medical equipment (MERDIS) is based on ASP.NET MVC framework and designed with SQL Server database and C# language. The analysis methods are based on clinical pathway demand and multiple regression data statistics. It uses big data collected from hospitals, including current equipment deployment, clinical pathways, and other basic information, to calculate and provide each hospital with a recommended equipment deployment.
Results: By analyzing the data of 52 hospitals through the MERDIS system, it is convenient, accurate, and intuitive to get the rational deployment plan, and suggestions of different types of hospitals affected by different factors can be given conveniently, accurately, and intuitively.
Conclusions: The MERDIS system’s design provides the basis for the subsequent development of medical equipment macro data management. In the process of continuous improvement and supplementing of data, the software model will become more and more accurate and reliable.

Editor's Corner

Arthur Wang — 2024-12-30

Since its inception in 2018, the Global Clinical Engineering Journal has been steadfast in its mission to become the premier publication dedicated solely to the clinical engineering field. As we mark our sixth year, it is heartening to reflect on how the journal has grown alongside the ever-evolving field of clinical engineering.