Have you ever wondered how a linear accelerator works and what it does?
A linear accelerator is a device that produces a beam of either electrons or very high energy X-rays that can be used to treat cancer. In this video, you will see an Elekta Synergy, an accelerator that is used for radiation therapy.

Radiation therapy is a treatment that uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells or shrink tumors. The radiation beam can be shaped and directed to match the tumor shape, so that it can target the cancer cells while sparing the healthy tissue. The beam of radiation is delivered with an accuracy of 2mm, which means that it can hit the tumor precisely and avoid damaging the surrounding organs.

How does a linear accelerator shape and direct the radiation beam?
There are three ways to do that:
- Using the primary and secondary collimators. These are large tungsten blocks that can shape the X-ray beam into the appropriate square shape.
- Using custom blocks. These are cast blocks that are made specifically for an individual patient to shield sensitive tissue or structures. They can be made to the exact shape of the tumor.
- Using a Multileaf Collimator (MLC). This is a device that has fine leaves (usually 1cm wide) that are computer-controlled to move in and out of the X-ray beam. The MLC can create complex shapes that match the tumor shape. This is the most common method used in many countries.

If you want to learn more about how a linear accelerator works and what it does, watch this video and visit the Elekta website here:
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or watch this playlist:
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction: How the Linear Accelerator works
00:42 How the X-ray Beam is Generated and Shaped
04:42 How the Radiation Dose is Measured and Controlled
06:17 How the Linac is Operated and Monitored
07:11 Clearance

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