Code of Massachusetts Regulations
105 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Title 105 CMR 120.000 - The Control of Radiation
PHOTON EMITTING REMOTE AFTERLOADER UNITS, TELETHERAPY UNITS, AND GAMMA STEREOTACTIC RADIOSURGERY UNITS
Section 120.578 - Full Calibration Measurements on Gamma Stereotactic Radiosurgery Units

Universal Citation: 105 CMR 120.000 MA Code of Regs 120.578

Current through Register 1531, September 27, 2024

(A) A licensee authorized to use a gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit for medical use shall perform full calibration measurements on each unit:

(1) Before the first medical use of the unit; and

(2) Before medical use under the following conditions:
(a) Whenever spot-check measurements indicate that the output differs by more than 5 % from the output obtained at the last full calibration corrected mathematically for radioactive decay;

(b) Following replacement of the sources or following reinstallation of the gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit in a new location; and

(c) Following any repair of the gamma stereotactic radiosurgery unit that includes removal of the sources or major repair of the components associated with the source assembly; and

(3) At intervals not exceeding one year, with the exception that relative helmet factors need only be determined before the first medical use of a helmet and following any damage to a helmet.

(B) To satisfy the requirement of 105 CMR 120.578(A), full calibration measurements shall include determination of:

(1) The output within ± 3%;

(2) Relative helmet factors;

(3) Isocenter coincidence;

(4) Timer accuracy and linearity over the range of use;

(5) On-off error;

(6) Trunnion centricity;

(7) Treatment table retraction mechanism, using backup battery power or hydraulic backups with the unit off;

(8) Helmet microswitchs;

(9) Emergency timing circuits; and

(10) Stereotactic frames and localizing devices (trunnions).

(C) A licensee shall use the dosimetry system described in 105 CMR 120.575(A) to measure the output for one set of exposure conditions. The remaining radiation measurements required in 105 CMR 120.578(B)(1) may be made using a dosimetry system that indicates relative dose rates.

(D) A licensee shall make full calibration measurements required by 105 CMR 120.578(A) in accordance with published protocols accepted by nationally recognized bodies.

(E) A licensee shall mathematically correct the outputs determined in 105 CMR 120.578(B)(1) at intervals not exceeding one month for cobalt-60 and at intervals consistent with 1% physical decay for all other radionuclides.

(F) Full calibration measurements required by 105 CMR 120.578(A) and physical decay corrections required by 105 CMR 120.578(E) must be performed by the authorized medical physicist.

(G) A licensee shall retain a record of each calibration in accordance with 105 CMR 120.592(F).

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