A new linear accelerator for IORT techniques

The new linear accelerator for electron beam therapy, named NOVAC7, is described. This apparatus was specifically designed to perform IntraOperative RadioTherapy treatments. The equipment is flexible, small and provided with a robot to scan an electron small beam over the area to be irradiated. Moreover, it is possible to use the machine to perform an irradiation in the traditional way with large perspex applicators. Due to the low level of diffuse radiation, it will not need a bunker in which to work and so it allows carrying out the radiation treatment inside the operating room. The nominal beam energy of NOVAC7 is variable to the maximum of 9 MeV and the field size can be at maximum 12 x 12 cm(2). Preliminary measurements to characterize the very small beams and their composition have been performed with Gafchromic MD-55 films in acrylic phantom. Experimental results about the scanning beam as well as dosimetric characterization of the accelerator used with conventional IORT applicators are presented.