Section R12-1-735. Full Calibration Measurements on Remote After- loader Units

A.      A licensee authorized to use a remote afterloader unit for med- ical use shall perform full calibration measurements on each unit:

1.        Before the first medical use of the unit;

2.        Before medical use under the following conditions:

a.         Following replacement of the source or following reinstallation of the unit in a new location outside the facility; and

b.        Following any repair of the unit that includes removal of the source or major repair of the compo-

	nents associated with the source exposure assembly;	B.	To satisfy the requirement of subsection (A), full calibration
	and		measurements shall include determination of:
	3.     At intervals not exceeding one quarter for high dose-rate,		1.     The output within ±3 percent;
	medium  dose-rate,  and  pulsed  dose-rate  remote  after-		2.     Relative helmet factors;
	loader  units  with  sources  whose  half-life   exceeds  75		3.     Isocenter coincidence;
	days; and		4.     Timer accuracy and linearity over the range of use;
	4.     At intervals not exceeding one year for low dose-rate		5.     On-off error;
	remote afterloader units.		6.     Trunnion centricity;
B.	To satisfy the requirement of subsection (A), full calibration		7.     Treatment table retraction mechanism, using backup bat-
	measurements shall include, as applicable, determination of:		tery power or hydraulic backups with the unit off;
	1.     The output within ±5 percent;		8.     Helmet microswitches;
	2.     Source positioning accuracy to within ±1 millimeter;		9.     Emergency timing circuits; and
	3.     Source retraction with backup battery upon power failure;		10.  Stereotactic frames and localizing devices (trunnions).
	4.     Length of the source transfer tubes;	C.	A licensee shall use the dosimetry system described in R12-1-
	5.     Timer accuracy and linearity over the typical range of		733(A) to measure the output for one set of exposure condi-
	use;		tions. The remaining radiation measurements required in sub-
	6.     Length of the applicators; and		section (B)(1) may be made using a dosimetry system that
	7.     Function of the source transfer tubes, applicators, and		indicates relative dose rates.
	transfer tube-applicator interfaces.	D.	A licensee shall make full calibration measurements required
C.	A licensee shall use the dosimetry system described in R12-1-		by  subsection  (A)   in  accordance  with  published   protocols
	733(A) to measure the output.		accepted by nationally recognized bodies.
D.	A licensee shall make full calibration measurements required	E.	A licensee shall mathematically correct the outputs determined
	by  subsection  (A)  in  accordance   with  published  protocols		in subsection (B)(1) at intervals not exceeding one month for
	accepted by nationally recognized bodies.		cobalt-60 and at intervals consistent with 1 percent physical
E.	In addition to the requirements for full calibrations for low		decay for all other radionuclides.
	dose-rate remote afterloader units in subsection (B), a licensee	F.	Full calibration measurements required by subsection (A) and
	shall perform an autoradiograph of the sources to verify inven-		physical decay corrections required by subsection (E) shall be
	tory and source arrangement at intervals not exceeding one		performed by an authorized medical physicist.
	quarter.	G.	A licensee shall retain a record of each calibration for three
F.	For low dose-rate remote afterloader units, a licensee may use		years from the date of the procedure.

measurements provided by the source manufacturer that are made in accordance with subsections (A) through (E).

G.   A licensee shall mathematically correct the outputs determined in subsection (B)(1) for physical decay at intervals consistent with 1 percent physical decay.

Historical Note

New Section made by final rulemaking at 13 A.A.R.

1217, effective May 5, 2007 (Supp. 07-1).