Routine machine quality assurance tests for a self-shielded gyroscopic radiosurgery system.

PURPOSE

This report describes routine machine quality assurance (QA) (daily, monthly, and annual QA) tests for the Zap-X Gyroscopic Radiosurgery platform.

METHODS

Following the recommendations of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine Task Group (AAPM TG)-142 and Medical Physics Practice guideline (MPPG) 8.b, routine machine QA tests for the Zap-X system were implemented. The implementation included (1) daily, monthly, and annual QA tests encompassing dosimetry, mechanical, safety and imaging tests, (2) QA methods of each test specific to the Zap-X, (3) a tolerance value for each test, and (4) necessary QA equipment.

RESULTS

Baseline values and key results of daily, monthly, and annual QA tests are presented in this report. This report also discusses QA tests not adopted from TG 142 or MPPG 8.b (e.g., distance indicator) due to unique features of the Zap-X system as well as additional QA tests added from the vendor's recommendations (e.g., self-check) and from TG-135 recommendations (e.g., monthly end-to-end testing) because of similarities between Zap-X and CyberKnife systems.

CONCLUSIONS

The comprehensive information on routine machine QA tests presented in this report will assist Zap-X teams in other Neurosurgery centers or Radiation Oncology clinics in establishing and maintaining their QA programs until AAPM endorsed guidelines become available.